How to Become a Notary in Virginia (2026): Steps, Cost & Oath
This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Virginia notary rules are set in Title 47.1 of the Code of Virginia and can change, so confirm the details with the Secretary of the Commonwealth before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.
What does it cost to become a notary in Virginia?
Becoming a Virginia notary is inexpensive, usually $75 to $100, because there is no bond, course, or exam. The fixed government charges are the $45 application fee and the $10 oath fee at the circuit court, plus up to $10 to have a notary witness your application. The rest is your stamp and an optional journal. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.
How do you become a notary in Virginia?
You become a Virginia notary by filing a notarized application and then taking an oath at your circuit court. The steps, in order, are:
- Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18 and a Virginia resident, or a non-resident who is employed in Virginia, able to read and write English.
- Complete the application and have Part 3 notarized. Fill out the application, choose the circuit court where you will qualify, and have a current notary witness your signature on Part 3.
- Mail it with the $45 fee. Send the notarized application and payment, made out to the Treasurer of Virginia, to the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Notary Office.
- Take your oath within 60 days. Once approved, the commission goes to your circuit court; appear in person, pay the $10 oath fee, and be sworn in.
- Buy your seal. The state does not sell seals, so purchase a compliant stamp from a vendor, and a journal if you want one, before you notarize.
When does a Virginia notary commission expire?
A Virginia notary commission lasts four years and expires on the last day of your birth month in the fourth calendar year after it is issued. For example, if you were born in March and were commissioned in 2026, your commission would expire on March 31, 2030. This birth-month rule means two notaries commissioned the same week can have different expiration dates, so always rely on the date printed on your commission rather than counting four years from when you applied.
What is the 60-day circuit court oath deadline?
You have 60 days from the date your commission is issued to appear at your circuit court, take the oath, and claim it, and missing that window voids the commission. If the 60 days pass you must submit an entirely new application with another $45 fee, even though you were already approved. Because the commission is mailed to the court rather than to you, contact the court promptly after the state notifies you of approval so you can schedule the oath in time.
What are the requirements to become a Virginia notary?
The Virginia requirements are among the lightest in the country because it is a self-certifying state. You must be at least 18, able to read and write English, and either a Virginia resident or employed in Virginia, with no disqualifying criminal history. There is no course, no exam, and no surety bond; you simply certify that you understand a notary's duties. A stamp is required for every notarization, and while a journal is only recommended for traditional acts, it is required for electronic ones.
Can you be an online notary in Virginia?
Yes, and Virginia is the place where it started, as the first state to authorize remote online notarization back in 2012. To perform electronic or remote online notarization you register separately with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, attach an electronic seal image, and pay the $45 fee, with the electronic commission sharing your traditional commission's expiration date. Virginia caps electronic and remote acts at $25 each, compared with $10 for a standard in-person notarial act.
Becoming a Virginia notary: frequently asked questions
- Do you need a bond to be a notary in Virginia?
- No. Virginia does not require a surety bond. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and protects only the notary.
- Is there an exam or course to become a Virginia notary?
- No. Virginia is a self-certifying state with no exam and no course; you certify that you understand your duties.
- How much can a Virginia notary charge?
- Up to $10 per standard notarial act, and up to $25 for electronic or remote online acts. Travel fees for mobile work are separate.
- Do you have to take the oath again when you renew?
- Not if you renew before expiration in good standing. Since July 2024 such renewals are issued without a courthouse oath; lapsed commissions start over.
- What happens if you miss the 60-day oath deadline?
- The commission is void and you must reapply with a new $45 fee, so contact your circuit court as soon as the state approves you.
Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth, Notary Commissions, and A Handbook for Virginia Notaries Public (2026); Code of Virginia Title 47.1 (sections 47.1-8, 47.1-19, 47.1-21). Confirm current fees and steps with the Secretary of the Commonwealth before applying.