How to Become a Notary Public in Virginia

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• You must be able to read and write English.
• You must live in Virginia, or work regularly in Virginia and notarize as part of that job.
• You cannot have a felony conviction unless you were pardoned, the conviction was vacated, or your civil rights were restored.

Step by step

1. Create an account and fill out the application in the Notary Management Accounts System.
2. Have the application notarized by a traditional Virginia notary, not an electronic notary.
3. Pay the $45 fee online by card, or mail a check or money order payable to Treasurer of Virginia.
4. Wait about two to three weeks while the commission is sent to the circuit court you chose.
5. Go to that circuit court within 60 days, pay the clerk $10, and take the oath.
6. Buy a notary seal or stamp.

Official application →

What it costs in Virginia

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

How long it takes

The Secretary of the Commonwealth says it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to receive and process an application; your commission is then sent to the circuit court you chose, and you must claim it within 60 days.

What other sites get wrong about Virginia

After you're commissioned

Renewal: Renew online every four years for $45; notaries in good standing do not need to return to court for the oath.

Remote online notarization: Yes. A commissioned Virginia notary can apply to be an electronic notary ($45, with an electronic seal), and electronic notaries can perform remote online notarizations.

Good to know in Virginia

Training and exam coming July 1, 2027: Starting July 1, 2027 (Va. Code 47.1-5.2), you must take a 4-hour course approved by the Secretary of the Commonwealth (1 hour on real estate fraud and elder financial exploitation) and pass a written exam within the 6 months before you apply. Each recommission will need a 2-hour course taken within the 6 months before applying.

What you can charge: Va. Code 47.1-19 lets a notary charge up to $10 per notarial act, or up to $25 for an electronic notarial act. Charging more is unlawful, though agreed, reasonable travel expenses may be added.

Journal required since July 1, 2026: Every Virginia notary, including traditional (paper) notaries, must keep a record of each notarial act, such as the date, time and any fee charged (Va. Code 47.1-14). A paper record of an act done on or after July 1, 2026 must be kept for at least 5 years.

Sources

• Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth - Notary commissions
• Virginia - Become a notary or renew
• A Handbook for Virginia Notaries Public (PDF, 10.7.2026)
• Virginia - Electronic notary
• Code of Virginia 47.1-5.2 (effective July 1, 2027)
• Code of Virginia 47.1-19 - Fees
• Code of Virginia 47.1-14
• Code of Virginia 47.1-14 (records of notarial acts)