How to Become an Online Notary Virginia

Virginia didn’t just allow remote online notarization, it invented it. In 2011, the Commonwealth became the first state in the U.S. to legalize RON, and it’s been one of the most notary-friendly states ever since.

If you’re looking to become a Virginia online notary, the path involves two layers: getting commissioned as a traditional notary first, then upgrading to eNotary status. This guide covers both with every fee, form, and deadline you need to know.

What is an eNotary in Virginia, and is it legal?

An eNotary (electronic notary) in Virginia is a commissioned notary public who has been approved by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to perform electronic notarizations, including remote online notarizations (RON) via audio-video technology.

Yes, it is fully legal. Virginia Code § 47.1-6.1 authorizes remote online notarization statewide. Every county must honor it, and documents notarized online through an approved platform carry the same legal weight as those notarized in person.

Virginia Notary Requirements: Who Qualifies?

Before you apply, make sure you meet every one of these baseline requirements:

• You must be a Virginia resident or maintain a principal place of employment in the Commonwealth
• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must be able to read and write in English
• You must be a legal U.S. resident
• You must not have a felony conviction on record (unless your civil rights have been restored)

There is no notary exam required in Virginia — which makes this one of the more accessible states for new applicants.

Step-by-Step: How to Become a Traditional Notary in Virginia

You must hold an active traditional notary commission before you can apply for eNotary status. Here is how to get commissioned:

• Step 1 – Complete the online application. Use the Virginia Notary Application Wizard on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s portal. Print the completed form.
• Step 2 – Pay the $45 application fee. You can pay online and will receive a receipt with a barcode-matched invoice number. Alternatively, submit a check or money order.
• Step 3 – Notarize your own application. Part 3 of the application requires your signature to be notarized by another notary.
• Step 4 – Mail your application. Send the notarized application and payment receipt to the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
• Step 5 – Wait for approval. Processing takes approximately 2–3 weeks. Once approved, both you and your local Circuit Court clerk receive notification.
• Step 6 – Take your Oath of Office. Contact your Circuit Court within 60 days of approval. Pay the $10 oath fee and receive your official commission.
• Step 7 – Obtain your notary seal. Virginia law requires a physical seal or stamp for in-person notarizations.

Optional but recommended: Get Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance. For a full breakdown of notary career paths and notary signing agent roles, this guide on becoming a loan signing agent is worth reading before you launch.

Step-by-Step: How to Become an eNotary (RON-Enabled) in Virginia

Once your traditional commission is active, here is how to add electronic notary authorization:

• Step 1 – Get an electronic seal. You need a digital version of your notary seal from an approved provider. BlueNotary provides electronic seals at no charge to registered notaries.
• Step 2 – Choose a RON technology vendor. You must pick an approved vendor to create your electronic signature and perform online notarizations. For a deeper comparison of platforms, this guide to choosing remote online notary platforms walks through what to look for.
• Step 3 – Obtain an Identrust Digital Certificate. This is Virginia’s most distinctive requirement. The state only accepts digital certificates issued by Identrust — no other certificate authority is approved. You will need to apply directly through Identrust before submitting your eNotary application.
• Step 4 – Submit the Virginia eNotary Application. File at solutions.virginia.gov/Notary/ENotary/Edit, signing with your electronic signature and digital seal.
• Step 5 – Pay the $45 eNotary application fee. This is a separate fee from the traditional notary commission fee.
• Step 6 – Await email confirmation. The Secretary of the Commonwealth will email you once your eNotary application is approved. There is no fixed timeline, but most applicants hear back within 2–4 weeks.

Virginia eNotary vs. Traditional Notary: Key Differences

What Does an Online Notary in Virginia Earn?

When you notarize documents through BlueNotary, you earn approximately $25 per online notarization. As you build volume, you can take on loan signing packages, which pay substantially more per session.

Pro-Hybrid BlueNotary members can also invoice clients at their own custom rates outside of the platform, giving you full flexibility over your pricing. Notaries who network actively — through referral partnerships, real estate agent relationships, or local business outreach – consistently earn more than those who wait passively for assignments.

For context on earning potential, the notary public pay rate guide has up-to-date data on what notaries earn across different states and assignment types.

Virginia’s Identrust Requirement: What You Need to Know

Virginia is the only state in the U.S. that exclusively recognizes Identrust Digital Certificates for electronic notarization. This affects your technology vendor choice significantly.

When selecting a RON platform, you must confirm the vendor supports Identrust certificates – not just generic PKI certificates. This is non-negotiable for state approval. For more context on how digital certificates work in the eNotary process, the digital certificate overview explains the background.

Renewal and Ongoing Compliance

Virginia notary commissions run for 4-year terms. There is no mandatory continuing education for traditional notaries, but online notaries should stay current on:

• Platform software updates from their approved RON vendor
• Changes to Virginia Code and the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s regulations
• The validity status of their Identrust Digital Certificate (certificates have expiration dates)

For reference on how notarized documents are treated across state lines once your commission is active, cross-state notarization rules is a useful companion guide.

Start Notarizing with BlueNotary

Once you have your eNotary approval in hand, creating a BlueNotary account takes a few minutes. The platform includes training videos, a signing simulator so you can practice before your first real session, and a notary community group where experienced RON notaries answer questions and share tips.

You set your own schedule, work from anywhere, and earn on every document you complete. Register for free at BlueNotary to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to be a Virginia resident to become a Virginia online notary? You must either live in Virginia or maintain a principal place of employment there. Full-time remote workers who are employed by a Virginia-based company may qualify even if they reside in a neighboring state, though you should confirm your specific situation with the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office.

Q: How long does the Virginia eNotary application process take from start to finish? The full process – getting a traditional commission, waiting for approval, taking your Oath of Office, obtaining an Identrust certificate, and getting eNotary approval — typically takes 6–10 weeks. The traditional commission approval alone takes 2–3 weeks, and the eNotary review adds another 2–4 weeks on top.

Q: Can I perform RON for signers located outside Virginia? Yes. As an approved Virginia eNotary, you can notarize documents for signers located anywhere in the United States, provided the document and transaction type are legally permissible. The notarization is governed by Virginia law regardless of where the signer is located.

Q: What happens if I use a digital certificate that isn’t from Identrust? Your eNotary application will be rejected. Virginia is the only state that mandates Identrust certificates exclusively. Using a certificate from another certificate authority, even a well-known one, does not satisfy the state’s requirement.

Q: Do I need E&O insurance to become a Virginia notary? E&O (Errors & Omissions) insurance is not required by Virginia law, but it is strongly recommended. If a notarization you performed is later challenged and you’re found liable for negligence or errors, E&O insurance covers your legal and financial exposure. Most RON platforms and notary associations offer affordable coverage.

Q: Can I notarize my own documents as a Virginia eNotary? No. Virginia law prohibits notaries from notarizing documents in which they have a personal financial interest or are named as a party. This applies to both traditional and electronic notarizations.