❗New Virginia Notary Laws Effective July 1, 2026: Complete Compliance Guide for Notaries
Updated: Jul 7
Please check the latest version of the Virginia Notary Handbook here or below.
Or check this Notary Spotlight.
According to the Notary & Authentications Division of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, there are several important provisions enacted by the General Assembly will take effect as of July 1, 2026. They encourage all notaries to review these changes carefully and take any necessary steps to ensure compliance.
Check out the letter from the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth below ⬇
▶ Proof of Commission Required for Notary Seals:
Effective July 1, 2026, you may no longer purchase a notary seal or stamp without presenting proof of your commission. A notary public must provide proof of his or her notary commission to the vendor before obtaining a notary seal or stamp. In addition, both the notary and the vendor must retain documentation of the transaction for a minimum of five (5) years. Be sure to retain a copy of the documentation provided to the vendor for your records and confirm that the vendor complies with the required record-retention requirements.
▶ Mandatory Journal Requirement:
Effective July 1, 2026, all Virginia notaries public will be required to maintain a journal of every notarial act performed. Records of both paper (non-electronic) and electronic notarizations must be retained for a minimum of five (5) years from the date of the notarization. Journals may be maintained in either paper or electronic format, provided they are secure and remain accessible throughout the required retention period. This journal entry must include the form of identification or satisfactory evidence used to verify the identity of the principal and any credible witnesses.
To create a complete and accurate record of every notarial act, our office recommends that notaries record the following information:
Date and time of the notarization.
Type of notarial act performed (acknowledgment, jurat, oath, affirmation, copy certification, etc.).
Title or description of the document.
Number of pages in the document.
Name and address of each individual whose signature is notarized.
Type of identification presented and identifying information sufficient to document the evidence relied upon to verify the individual's identity (e.g., driver's license, passport, military identification card, or other satisfactory evidence of identity authorized by law).
Fee charged, if any.
Signature of the signer (recommended).
Notes regarding unusual circumstances, if applicable.
If you are a traditional notary and are not currently maintaining a notary journal, you should begin doing so as soon as possible to ensure compliance with the new law on July 1, 2026. A well-maintained journal serves as an important record of your official acts and can provide valuable documentation if a notarization is ever questioned. It may help demonstrate that you exercised reasonable care in performing your duties and can offer protection in the event of a complaint, investigation, or legal dispute.
Our office encourages all notaries to follow best practices for compliance by:
Reviewing the Virginia Notary Handbook.
Verifying the identity of every signer before performing a notarial act.
Completing all notarial certificate wording accurately.
Securing your seal and journal at all times.
Retaining all records for the required statutory period.
These changes are intended to strengthen fraud prevention, improve accountability, and enhance public confidence in the notarization process.
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