Notary Public in Virginia
Browse 134 cities in Virginia to find a notary public near you.
Virginia notaries are appointed by the Governor and serve a 4-year commission. The Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. are among the most expensive and active real estate markets in the country, driving consistent demand for notaries and loan signing agents; Virginia also permits remote online notarization to serve the state's diverse and geographically spread population, from the D.C. suburbs to the rural Shenandoah Valley and coastal Tidewater region. The fee cap is $10 per signature. Virginia was in fact one of the first U.S. states to authorize RON at all, giving it one of the country's longest-running video-call notarization markets. Virginia requires a state exam but no training course or bond to become a notary.
Is this notary really commissioned?
Anyone can claim to be a notary. Before you rely on one for an important document, it costs nothing to check that their commission is real, active, and hasn't expired.
Virginia notaries are commissioned by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which provides a free public commission lookup.
Verify a Virginianotary's commission →What you can legally be charged
As of July 2026, Virginia law caps the fee a notary can charge for a standard notarial act at $10 per notarial act (not required to charge a fee at all). A notary who charges more than the legal maximum for a standard act is breaking the law — you're entitled to ask what they charge before they begin.
What to expect
- Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID — the notary can't proceed without one.
- Your notary is required to record the transaction in a journal — expect to sign it and provide some basic details.
- Every document is marked with the notary's official stamp or seal, confirming the notarization is complete.
Remote Online Notarization
Virginia has adopted RON — documents can be notarized over a live video call.
Full RON details →For aspiring notaries
Becoming a notary in Virginia
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Surety bond | Not required |
| Training course | Not required |
| State exam | Required |
Total cost to become a notary in Virginia typically runs $125–$150, covering the application, and supplies.
Full guide to becoming a notary →Sourced from the National Notary Association, verified July 2026. Confirm current requirements with the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia.