Virginia Notaries, mark your calendars. A new law takes effect July 1, 2026, that changes two important things about how you perform your duties — you must keep a record of your notarial acts and provide proof of your commission before you can buy a Notary seal. Here’s what’s changing and what you need to do.
What is the new Virginia Notary law?
House Bill 163/Senate Bill 316 was signed on April 8, 2026. The law updates several sections of the Virginia Notary statutes and adds two brand-new requirements for Virginia Notaries performing paper-based notarizations. Both provisions take effect July 1, 2026.
Change #1: Virginia Notaries must keep records of notarial acts (journal)
Starting July 1, 2026, Virginia law requires every Notary performing paper-based notarial acts to create and maintain a chronological record of each notarization. Most Notaries record their official acts in a journal.
What information must go in the Notary record?
For each record of a notarial act, your journal must include:
- The date and time of the notarization
- The type of notarial act performed (acknowledgment, oath, copy certification, etc.)
- The type, title, or description of the document or proceeding
- The printed name and address of each principal (signer).
- Evidence of identity for each principal — either a note that the person is personally known to you, the type of ID document you reviewed, or the printed name and address of any credible witnesses used to identify the person. The law also allows you to keep a copy of the ID or a photographic image of the individual's face.
- The fee charged, if any
How long do Virginia Notaries need to keep their records of notarial acts?
You must retain your journal or other records for at least 5 years from the date of the notarization.
Does the recordkeeping requirement apply to electronic notarizations in Virginia?
No. Electronic Notaries already must keep an electronic journal under Virginia law. This new journal requirement applies specifically to paper-based notarial acts performed on or after July 1, 2026.
Why is Virginia requiring Notary records now?
The journal requirement was unanimously recommended by an advisory group established by the Virginia General Assembly to study deed fraud last year. The advisory group recommended the recordkeeping requirement to assist law enforcement when investigating suspected cases of deed fraud.
Change #2: Virginia Notaries must show proof of their commission to buy a seal
Also effective July 1, 2026, Virginia Notaries are required to present proof of their commission when purchasing a physical Notary seal from a vendor or manufacturer. Your commission document — the one issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth — serves as that proof.
How long must records of my commission presented to a seal vendor be kept?
Both you and the seal vendor must retain proof of your Notary commission for at least 5 years.
Why did Virginia require proof of a Notary commission to buy a seal?
Bad actors have been copying and counterfeiting official seals to commit Notary impersonation and real estate fraud. By requiring Notaries to present proof of their Notary commission at the point of sale, Virginia is seeking to make it harder for someone to impersonate a Notary.
Watch for new Virginia Notary education and exam requirements in 2027
You may have heard that HB 163/SB 316 also includes new mandatory training and examination requirements for Notaries and Electronic Notaries. That’s true — but these requirements do not take effect for new and renewing Notaries until July 1, 2027, giving the Secretary of the Commonwealth time to develop and approve course materials. We’ll provide more details on testing and training requirements as that date approaches.
Here's a quick summary of what’s coming in 2027:
First-time Notary and Electronic Notary applicants must complete 4 hours of training (including at least 1 hour on real estate fraud and financial exploitation of elderly persons) and pass a written examination before receiving a commission.
Renewing Notaries and Electronic Notaries must complete 2 hours of training (including at least 1 hour on real estate fraud and financial exploitation of older adults) before each renewal.
July 1, 2026, checklist for Virginia Notaries
Here’s what you should do now to be ready:
- Get a Notary journal. Purchase a journal that will help you record all the required information for paper-based notarial acts.
- Start keeping records. Every paper-based notarization you perform on or after July 1, 2026, must be logged in your journal or other official record book.
- Locate your commission document. Know where your commission certificate is stored so you can present it when ordering a seal or a replacement seal.
- Present your commission when ordering a new seal. When it’s time to order or reorder a seal, be prepared to provide proof of your commission to your vendor.
Virginia is raising the bar for Notaries — and that’s a good thing. These changes are designed to protect the public and Notaries, deter fraud, and elevate the professionalism of Virginia Notaries.
David Thun is the Editorial Manager at the National Notary Association.
