Public Announcements

ALERT: Virginia Notaries: Major changes are coming July 1, 2026!!

Jun. 26, 2026

Virginia Notary Law Changes Effective July 1, 2026

Beginning July 1, 2026, several important changes to Virginia's notary laws will take effect. These updates are designed to strengthen fraud prevention, improve recordkeeping, and increase accountability for notarial acts.

Key Changes Include:

  • Notary journal now required – All Virginia notaries must maintain a journal documenting each notarial act.

  • Five-year record retention – Notary journals must be retained for at least five years.

  • Proof of commission required – Before recording a deed or other instrument requiring notarization, clerks must verify the notary's commission.

  • Higher maximum notary fee – The maximum fee for most notarial acts increases from $5 to $10.

  • Additional safeguards against fraud – New requirements are intended to improve verification, documentation, and accountability during the notarization process.

  • Applies to all Virginia notaries – Individuals and organizations that regularly notarize documents should review their procedures to ensure compliance before July 1.

These changes represent the most significant update to Virginia's notary laws in years and may require revisions to internal policies, forms, and recordkeeping practices. Organizations that routinely notarize documents should ensure all commissioned notaries understand the new requirements before they become effective.

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