How to become a notary in Colonial Heights, Virginia

About the Colonial Heights, Virginia notary process

Colonial Heights, Virginia commissions Notaries for four-year terms that always end on the last day of your birth month, so you can plan renewals with precision (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook). The Commonwealth is also a self-certifying state with no mandatory course, exam, or surety bond, which keeps costs low for qualified applicants (National Notary Association).

Every applicant interacts directly with the Secretary of the Commonwealth: you will complete the online application, sign the paper form before a current Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary, mail the notarized packet to Richmond, and then appear at your chosen Circuit Court to take the oath of office within 60 days of issuance (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook). Once your commission is issued, order an official seal and follow Colonial Heights, Virginia’s recordkeeping and fee rules before you begin notarizing.

Cost to become a Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary

Plan for these common expenses when budgeting for your commission:

• $45 non-refundable application fee paid to the Secretary of the Commonwealth (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).
• Up to $10 to have a current Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary notarize Part 3 of your application—state law caps standard notarial acts at $10 each (Code of Colonial Heights, Virginia § 47.1-19).
• About $10 for the Circuit Court to administer your oath and release the commission certificate (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).
• $20–$40 for an official Notary seal (ink stamp or embosser) from a private vendor (National Notary Association).
• Optional: $15–$30 for a recommended journal and any errors and omissions insurance you choose to carry (National Notary Association).

Most new Colonial Heights, Virginia Notaries spend roughly $90–$100 to get started thanks to the state’s no-exam, no-bond structure (National Notary Association).

Commission timeline in Colonial Heights, Virginia

Most applicants move from application to oath in just a few weeks (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook):

1. Day 0: Submit your online application and mail the notarized packet with payment to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
2. Days 14–21: The Notary Public Division reviews your filing and forwards your commission certificate to the Circuit Court you selected.
3. Upon approval: You receive notice by your chosen contact method (email or mail) that the commission is ready for pickup.
4. Within 60 days of issuance: Visit the Circuit Court in person to take the oath, pay the local fee, and receive your commission certificate.

Delays are uncommon, but you can confirm your status anytime through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Notary Management System (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary eligibility checklist

Make sure you qualify before you apply:

Age, identity, and literacy

Colonial Heights, Virginia’s eligibility rules require you to be at least 18, able to read and write English, and a legal resident of the United States (Secretary of the Commonwealth).

Residency and employment

You can live in Colonial Heights, Virginia or regularly work here; non-residents must limit their notarial acts to duties connected to their Colonial Heights, Virginia employment and surrender the commission if that job ends (Secretary of the Commonwealth).

Character

You cannot have felony convictions under Colonial Heights, Virginia, other state, or U.S. federal law unless your civil rights have been restored, and minor offenses may be reviewed case by case by the Secretary of the Commonwealth (Secretary of the Commonwealth).

Colonial Heights, Virginia is a self-certifying state, so you do not need to complete a course, pass an exam, or obtain a surety bond before applying—just be prepared to certify that you understand your duties (National Notary Association).

Step-by-step: Apply for your Colonial Heights, Virginia commission

Follow these steps from the Commonwealth’s application instructions and the National Notary Association’s Colonial Heights, Virginia guide (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook; National Notary Association):

1. Create your account: Visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Notary Management System, create a profile, and start the Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Public Application. Select the Circuit Court where you will appear for your oath.
2. Answer eligibility questions: Provide your personal information, employment details, and affirm that you meet the Commonwealth’s qualifications.
3. Pay the $45 fee: Submit payment online with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover) or choose to mail a check or money order payable to the Treasurer of Colonial Heights, Virginia.
4. Print single-sided copies: Print the completed application PDF and, if you paid online, print the receipt showing your invoice number. Keep copies for your records (National Notary Association).
5. Match your numbers: Confirm the invoice number on your receipt matches the barcode number on your printed application so the payment posts correctly (National Notary Association).
6. Sign in front of a Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary: Take the paper application to a commissioned Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Public and sign Part 3 in pen while they witness and complete the notarial certificate. Remote or electronic notarization is not allowed for this step (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).
7. Mail your packet: Send the notarized application, payment receipt (or your check or money order), and any supplemental documentation to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Notary Public Division at the address provided in the application instructions (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

Hold on to tracking information and copies of your forms so you can respond quickly if the state requests clarification.

Take your oath at the Circuit Court

When the state approves your application, it will mail your commission certificate to the Circuit Court named in your filing and notify you using your preferred contact method (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

• You have 60 days from the commission issue date to appear in person, take the oath of office, and receive your certificate.
• Bring government-issued photo identification and be prepared to pay the court’s oath fee (about $10).
• If you miss the 60-day window, the commission becomes void and you must reapply and repay the $45 fee—Colonial Heights, Virginia does not grant extensions.

Once sworn in, review your certificate carefully and store it with your permanent Notary records.

Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary supplies and recordkeeping

After you are commissioned, you must obtain an official seal before notarizing any documents (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

Seal requirements

• Use a rubber ink stamp or metal embosser that leaves a sharp, legible, and photographically reproducible impression.
• The seal must display your name exactly as it appears on your commission, the words “Notary Public,” and “Commonwealth of Colonial Heights, Virginia.”
• Order your seal from a private vendor and verify every detail before using it—Colonial Heights, Virginia does not issue seals and allows only one official design at a time.

Journal best practices

Colonial Heights, Virginia does not mandate a journal for traditional paper notarizations, yet the Secretary of the Commonwealth strongly recommends keeping one to document each act, and electronic or remote notarizations require both a journal entry and an audio-video recording (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook). Many Notaries choose a secure digital journal, such as NotaryCentral’s e-Journal, to streamline in-person and online appointments.

Electronic and remote notarization options

Colonial Heights, Virginia pioneered electronic and remote online notarization, allowing commissioned Notaries to add eNotary authority after meeting additional requirements (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook; Secretary of the Commonwealth):

1. Hold an active traditional commission: You must already be a Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary before you apply for eNotary status.
2. Submit the Electronic Notary Application: File online, describe the digital certificate, electronic signature, and seal technology you will use, and pay the $45 registration fee.
3. Await electronic approval: The Secretary of the Commonwealth will email confirmation, and your electronic commission runs concurrently with your traditional term.
4. Maintain compliance: Notify the state within 90 days of any change to your electronic notarization technology, keep your digital credentials under your sole control, and report loss or theft immediately.

During a remote online notarization you must be physically located in Colonial Heights, Virginia, even if the signer is elsewhere, and you must rely on approved identity proofing tools such as knowledge-based authentication, credential analysis, and an audio-video recording for every session (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

What Colonial Heights, Virginia Notaries can charge

Colonial Heights, Virginia caps standard Notary fees at $10 per notarial act, whether the notarization is paper-based or remote, and allows electronic notarial acts up to $25 each (Code of Colonial Heights, Virginia § 47.1-19; Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

• You may charge nothing—it is common to waive the fee for family, friends, or co-workers.
• Travel fees are allowed when you leave your office or home, but agree on the amount with the signer in advance and consider documenting the arrangement in writing (Code of Colonial Heights, Virginia § 47.1-19).
• Employers that paid for your commission may require you to notarize for free during work hours or remit any fees collected on the job, so clarify expectations before you begin (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

Posting or communicating your fees ahead of time prevents surprises and keeps you within the Commonwealth’s rules.

Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary FAQs

Have more questions about being a Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary? Start with these quick answers.

Do I need training or an exam to become a Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary?

No. Colonial Heights, Virginia is a self-certifying state, so eligible applicants can apply directly without completing a course, passing an exam, or purchasing a surety bond (National Notary Association).

How long does it take to receive my commission?

The Secretary of the Commonwealth usually processes applications in about two to three weeks and will notify you when the commission certificate arrives at the Circuit Court (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

Can non-residents become Colonial Heights, Virginia Notaries?

Yes, if you regularly work in Colonial Heights, Virginia. Your notarial acts must relate to that employment, and you must surrender the commission if the job ends (Secretary of the Commonwealth).

What happens if I miss the 60-day oath deadline?

The commission becomes void and you must restart the process, including paying a new $45 application fee—extensions are not granted (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

Do I need to keep a journal?

A journal is optional for traditional notarizations but strongly encouraged for liability protection; it becomes mandatory, along with an audio-video recording, when you perform electronic or remote notarizations (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

Can I perform remote notarizations from outside Colonial Heights, Virginia?

No. Even during a remote online notarization, you must be physically located within the Commonwealth of Colonial Heights, Virginia (Colonial Heights, Virginia Notary Handbook).

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Last updated: Oct 22, 2025