Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth
Become a notary in Virginia
Notaries in Virginia are commissioned by the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth. Apply there first. StampSide is a public page after you have used their process. Look up a commission at solutions.virginia.gov. Pre-2011 commissions may need a phone check.
Where to register
Applications go to the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth. Open their page for the current application, not a StampSide form.
Commissioning page
Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth
https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/official-documents/notary-commissions/Official lookup
Official lookup for commissioned notaries in Virginia.
https://solutions.virginia.gov/Notary/Search/Search
Requirements
What the official page states. If a topic is missing here, that page did not spell it out.
- Fee (as posted)
- Application fee $45, non-refundable, card online or check/money order to Treasurer of Virginia with a notarized application.
- Pickup
- By law you must claim the commission at the court within 60 days after it is issued, or you reapply and repay.
How to get started
Apply through the Secretary of the Commonwealth portal
Pay online or mail the notarized application.
Pick up the commission at the court and take the oath
If status stays “pending oath,” the SOS says allow the court 2–3 weeks to enter the oath date.
Register on StampSide
After you use the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth site, create a public page: photo, where you work, and how clients reach you. You can appear in the Virginia directory. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.
Tools after you apply
Official pages and named suppliers already listed in this product. Checkout is on their site — StampSide does not sell stamps.
Stamp or seal
Photographically reproducible; name exactly as commissioned; “Notary Public” and “Commonwealth of Virginia.” The office does not sell stamps.
Named suppliers on StampSideMore suppliers
Notary Rotary, Notary.net, and the National Notary Association are on the supplies list. State-specific seals only.
StampSide supplies list
More official pages
Remote / electronic notarization
The Secretary of the Commonwealth publishes a separate electronic-notary page.
Register, then getting started
StampSide does not commission you — the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth does, on the official site above. Register here for a public page. After you sign up, getting started walks through a photo, your commission when you have it, and an email signature for cards and mail. The page stays unpublished until a commission is on file.
After you are commissioned
Appear in the Virginia directory. Closers and the public still confirm standing on the official site.
Other jurisdictions: all state guides · quiz · Train your eye.