New state law now requires every Virginia notary — paper and electronic — to keep a recorded journal of each notarial act. If you're a notary, settlement agent, paralegal, or real estate professional in Virginia, this applies to you. Today.
Get the Free Compliance Ledger →These requirements took effect July 1, 2026. If you haven't started yet, start now.
Every notarial act — acknowledgments, jurats, copy certifications, signature witnessings — must now be logged in a recorded journal. Previously, only electronic notaries had to keep one. Now it applies to all notaries.
Va. Code § 47.1-16
All journal records — paper or electronic — must be retained for a minimum of five years from the date of each transaction. That means every entry from July 1, 2026 onward.
When purchasing or renewing your notary seal or stamp, you must present proof of your commission to the vendor. Both you and the vendor are required to retain that documentation for five years.
HB 163 / SB 316
There is now a statutory duty for settlement agents to take reasonable steps to verify identity and ensure proper handling of real estate transactions. Expect more documentation requirements at closings.
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We built a ready-to-use Excel journal that covers 2026–2031. Dropdown menus, auto-numbered entries, annual summaries, and retention reminders — built to satisfy Va. Code § 47.1-16. Yours free.
We're a Virginia law firm in Stuart serving clients throughout Patrick County and Southwest Virginia. Our practice covers real estate, estate planning, civil litigation, and criminal defense. We publish resources like this to keep Virginia professionals current on legal changes that affect their work.
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Wren M. Williams, Esq.
Attorney, Schneider & Williams, PLC
VSB No. 88593
Virginia House of Delegates, 47th District
Virginia State Crime Commission
Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Virginia law may change at any time after the date this page was published. The information here reflects our understanding of legislation as of July 1, 2026, based on materials from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Always verify current requirements directly with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Virginia State Bar, or qualified legal counsel before taking action. Use of this page or the downloadable materials does not create an attorney-client relationship with Schneider & Williams, PLC.