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Virginia notary journal requirements

For acts on or after July 1, 2026, Virginia requires a record of paper notarial acts, kept at least 5 years. US Notary Journal is an electronic notary journal that asks for exactly what Virginia expects in each entry.

Journal required?

Required for every act

Electronic journal allowed?

State guidance on electronic journals is not settled. Check with your commissioning office before using one as your only journal.

How long to keep it

5 years

Thumbprint

Optional

Source

Va. Code § 47.1-14(D)

What a Virginia journal entry must include

• Date and time of the act
• Type of notarial act
• Document type or description
• Signer name
• Signer address
• How identity was proven (ID type)
• ID issue and expiration dates
• Fee charged
• Signer signature
• Location of the act

An electronic notary journal for Virginia

Choose Virginia as your commission state and US Notary Journal sets up the entry form above, warns you about the Virginia fee cap where one applies, and locks each finished entry so it cannot be altered. Use it on your phone at the signing and on your computer at the office.

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Last checked 2026-10-25. General information, not legal advice.