How to become a notary in Virginia
Eligibility, the application, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Legal resident of the United States, and either a Virginia resident or someone regularly employed in Virginia who performs notary services in connection with that employment. A non-resident who stops being employed in Virginia must surrender the commission; Must be able to read and write English. No felony conviction under U.S., Virginia or any other state's law unless civil rights have been restored. The name on the application must exactly match your state-issued ID..
- Apply to the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth — Pay the $45 state fee. Other fees: $10 fee to the circuit court clerk when you claim the commission and take the oath. The fee is waived for clerks and deputy clerks. A separate electronic notary application costs $45.
- Take the oath and file it — The commission is sent to the circuit court you chose. Within 60 days of issuance, claim it there, take the oath and pay the $10 clerk fee; if you don't, it becomes invalid and you must reapply and pay again. Notaries in good standing who are recommissioned do not need to go back to court for the oath.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required. A photographically reproducible seal showing your name exactly as commissioned, "Notary Public" and "Commonwealth of Virginia". Best practice is to add the expiration date and registration number. Buy it from a private vendor. Since July 1, 2026 you must show the vendor proof of your commission, and you and the vendor must both keep that proof for 5 years. Journal: Required (since July 1, 2026 for all notaries including paper; keep at least 5 years).
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches Virginia's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Virginia notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Legal resident of the United States, and either a Virginia resident or someone regularly employed in Virginia who performs notary services in connection with that employment. A non-resident who stops being employed in Virginia must surrender the commission. |
| Course | Not required No course is required now. Under Code § 47.1-5.2 (2026 Acts cc. 364/365, effective July 1, 2027), new applicants must finish a 4-hour course developed or approved by the Secretary within 6 months before applying. The course includes 1 hour on real estate fraud and elder financial exploitation. Applicants for recommission will need a 2-hour course. |
| Exam | Not required No exam yet. From July 1, 2027, applicants for a first commission must also pass a written exam to the Secretary's satisfaction (§ 47.1-5.2). No exam is required for recommission. |
| State fee | $45 |
| Other fees | $10 fee to the circuit court clerk when you claim the commission and take the oath. The fee is waived for clerks and deputy clerks. A separate electronic notary application costs $45. |
| Surety bond | None Virginia does not require a bond. |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | None |
| Term | 4 years (expires on the last day of the notary's birth month) |
| Oath / filing | The commission is sent to the circuit court you chose. Within 60 days of issuance, claim it there, take the oath and pay the $10 clerk fee; if you don't, it becomes invalid and you must reapply and pay again. Notaries in good standing who are recommissioned do not need to go back to court for the oath. |
| Seal | Required. A photographically reproducible seal showing your name exactly as commissioned, "Notary Public" and "Commonwealth of Virginia". Best practice is to add the expiration date and registration number. Buy it from a private vendor. Since July 1, 2026 you must show the vendor proof of your commission, and you and the vendor must both keep that proof for 5 years. |
| Journal | Required (since July 1, 2026 for all notaries including paper; keep at least 5 years) |
| Max fee per notarization | $10 per notarial act; electronic notary up to $25 per electronic notarial act (plus agreed actual travel expenses) |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Remote notarization requires a separate electronic notary registration, available only after you are commissioned as a traditional notary. The application fee is $45 and is filed online. You need a digital certificate and an electronic seal, the identity-proofing standards apply, and you must keep audio-video recordings and an electronic journal for 5 years. The electronic commission ends when the traditional commission does. |
| Renewal | Renew online through the Notary Management Accounts System for $45. If your name changed or the commission expired more than 30 days ago, you must file a new notarized application. From July 1, 2027, a 2-hour course taken within the 6 months before applying is required for recommission. |
2026 changes (HB 163/SB 316): journals became mandatory for all notaries on July 1, 2026, and you must show proof of commission to buy a seal. A mandatory course for new and renewing notaries and an exam for new applicants start July 1, 2027. Electronic notaries cannot notarize traditional (paper) applications.
Sources: Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth – Notary Commissions · Become a Notary or Renew My Commission · Learn About Becoming an Electronic Notary · Handbook for Virginia Notaries Public (Oct 2026) · Notary Spotlight – New Notary Laws July 1, 2026. Checked 2026-10.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a Virginia notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other Virginia licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Virginia insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Virginia?
The state fee is $45, plus $10 fee to the circuit court clerk when you claim the commission and take the oath. The fee is waived for clerks and deputy clerks. A separate electronic notary application costs $45.. Add a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Virginia?
2-3 weeks to receive and process an application (Secretary of the Commonwealth).
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Virginia?
No. Virginia requires no course or exam, though a short course helps you avoid mistakes.
How much can a notary charge in Virginia?
$10 per notarial act; electronic notary up to $25 per electronic notarial act (plus agreed actual travel expenses).
Can I be an online notary in Virginia?
Yes. Remote notarization requires a separate electronic notary registration, available only after you are commissioned as a traditional notary. The application fee is $45 and is filed online. You need a digital certificate and an electronic seal, the identity-proofing standards apply, and you must keep audio-video recordings and an electronic journal for 5 years. The electronic commission ends when the traditional commission does.