Notary Public
About The Office
The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth is responsible for the commissioning of Notaries Public in Virginia, pursuant to §47.1-8 of the Code of Virginia. Please visit the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth website for up-to-date information.
Notary Application Eligibility And Information
To be eligible to apply for a Virginia Notary Public Commission, you must be:
- at least eighteen years old,
- able to read and write the English language,
- be a legal resident of the United States,
- live or work in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and
- have not been convicted of a felony.
Any person who has ever been convicted of a felony under the laws of the United States or this Commonwealth, or the laws of any other state, shall not qualify to be appointed and commissioned as a Virginia Notary Public unless such person has had his/her rights restored.
Non-residents of Virginia may be appointed as notaries if they are regularly employed in the state and perform notary services in connection with their employment. A non-resident notary who ceases to be regularly employed in Virginia must surrender his or her commission.
Virginia is a “self-certifying state” and does not require classes or testing to qualify to become a notary public.
- If you are applying for a Virginia Notary Public Commission for the first time, visit the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth website.
- If you are currently serving as a Virginia Notary Public, you have not changed your name, and you would like to renew your commission, visit the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth website.
- If more than 30 days have passed since your Virginia Notary Public Commission has expired and/or your name has changed and you would like to reapply, visit the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth website.
Commissions
By law, you must claim your commission within 60 days after it is issued. If you fail to do so, you must submit a new application and a new fee to become a Notary Public. Once you receive notice from the Secretary of the Commonwealth about your commission, please call us at 540-948-6888 to confirm that we have received it before coming in to take your oath. Please bring your photo ID (i.e. valid driver's license, identification card issued by the DMV, passport, Military ID, or other government-issued photo ID) along with the letter you received from the Secretary of the Commonwealth. A fee of $10 is due when you take the oath and pick up your commission at the Clerk's Office. We accept cash, check, money orders, or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, and Discover are accepted - there will be a 4% convenience fee assessed on each transaction). Checks can be made payable to the Clerk of Court. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding holidays.