Not a government website. We are a private company, not affiliated with any Secretary of State, notary commissioning office or contractor licensing board. Renewal applications are filed directly with your state.
Notary public renewal Virginia, in short
Virginia keeps renewal light: a $45 non-refundable fee, no bond and no fingerprinting. You apply through your Notary Management Account, in person or by first-class mail.[1][3][4]
The term ends on the last day of the month you were born, in the fourth year after the commission was issued, so your expiration date follows your birthday rather than your appointment date.[3]
Virginia rules side by side with other states: how to renew a notary commission. Other states: New York notary renewal, Texas notary renewal, Florida notary renewal, Illinois notary renewal, Colorado notary renewal, North Carolina notary renewal, Ohio notary renewal, California notary renewal, New Jersey notary renewal, Missouri notary renewal, Georgia notary renewal, Michigan notary renewal, Arizona notary renewal, Pennsylvania notary renewal.
Virginia notary renewal requirements
This table is what Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Code of Virginia Title 47.1 say, read on 2026-11-15. Where they say nothing, the row says so instead of guessing.
| Commission term | 4 years, ending on the last day of your birth month.[3] (Code of Va. §47.1-21) |
|---|---|
| Earliest day to apply | The Secretary of the Commonwealth's pages and Title 47.1 publish no first day to apply.[1][3] |
| State fee | $45 non-refundable application fee for a new or renewed commission.[1][4] |
| Bond | No bond: Title 47.1 has no bond provision.[3] |
| Course to renew | Check with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. |
| Exam to renew | Check with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. |
| Fingerprints or background check | No fingerprint check; you must never have been convicted of a felony unless pardoned or your rights were restored.[3] (Code of Va. §47.1-4) |
| Oath | You qualify before a circuit court clerk within 60 days of appointment, and the clerk certifies it to the Secretary within 14 days.[3] (Code of Va. §47.1-9) |
| Seal or stamp | Check with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. |
| Journal | Check with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Check with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. |
The 30-day online cutoff and the court clerk
The Secretary of the Commonwealth lets you renew online only if your commission expired no more than 30 days ago; past that, it is a new notarized application.[2] After appointment you qualify before a circuit court clerk within 60 days, and the clerk certifies it to the Secretary within 14 days.[3] The sources we read do not settle whether a renewing notary takes a course, so that row says "check with".
How to renew a Virginia notary commission, step by step
Virginia renewal is 3 steps, in this order.[1][3]
- Sign in to your Notary Management Account (or apply in person or by mail).
- Pay the $45 application fee.
- When appointed, qualify before your circuit court clerk within 60 days.
You apply to Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia yourself: Virginia notary page. The state decides the application and its timing.
If your Virginia commission already expired
You can renew online if your commission expired no more than 30 days ago; after that you submit a new notarized application.[2]
After a lapse: course check with the Secretary of the Commonwealth; exam check with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Name or address change during your commission
Check with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Electronic and remote online notarization: Electronic notaries hold a separate electronic commission and can notarize remotely online.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renew a notary in Virginia?
When does a Virginia notary commission expire?
On the last day of your birth month, 4 years after the commission (Code of Virginia §47.1-21).[3]
Can I renew an expired Virginia notary commission online?
Only if it expired no more than 30 days ago; otherwise submit a new notarized application.[2]