The History of Notaries in Virginia
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From historic public records to modern electronic notarization.
A notary’s stamp may look like a small detail, but the office behind it has a long history in Virginia. Surviving records show how notaries became part of the Commonwealth’s public administration—and how that role continues to change.
An early paper trail: 1785–1878
The Library of Virginia holds notary returns of the Auditor of Public Accounts covering 1785–1878. These records concern fees collected by notaries and forwarded to the auditor. They give us a concrete glimpse of notarial work in the early Commonwealth, rather than relying on a story about an undocumented “first” Virginia notary.
The Library of Virginia’s collection description identifies these as returns of fees collected by notaries and sent to the Auditor of Public Accounts. It documents a specific part of the office’s history, not a complete history of every notary or transaction.
Appointments preserved in the archives
The Library of Virginia also preserves notary public applications from 1906–1910. Together with the earlier returns, these records show that notaries were part of an established administrative system well before digital signatures and online appointments.
For readers who enjoy local history, a useful research question is which notaries appear in records for a particular locality. That requires checking the actual archival documents; a historic setting alone does not establish who notarized a particular Fredericksburg transaction.
The modern framework
Today, Title 47.1 of the Code of Virginia governs notaries and out-of-state commissioners. The historical citation attached to its definitions section begins with a 1980 enactment and lists later amendments. That date marks the modern statutory framework, not the beginning of notarization in Virginia.
The law defines acts such as acknowledgments, oaths and affirmations, and copy certification. These acts serve different purposes: acknowledging a signature is different from swearing that a statement is true.
From paper to electronic records
Virginia’s current law also provides for electronic notarization and remote online notarization. A remote appointment has specific appearance, identification, and recordkeeping requirements; an ordinary video call and emailed stamp are not substitutes for that process.
What the history means for you
The tools have changed, but careful identity checks and a properly performed notarial act still matter. Notarization does not guarantee that a document’s contents are true or that its terms are legally effective.
FXBG Notary brings that attention to everyday appointments in the Fredericksburg area.
Ask FXBG Notary about your document’s appointment requirements.
Questions people ask about the history
Was 1785 the first year Virginia had notaries?
The archival collection’s starting date does not establish the first appointment. It tells us the period covered by that particular set of surviving records.
What is a notary’s commission?
It is the state-issued authorization to perform notarial acts. It does not make the holder a lawyer.
Does a historic-looking seal give a document extra authority?
No. The required procedure and certificate matter. Decorative artwork, including this article’s illustrative banner, is not evidence of an actual historical signing.
Need help with today’s notarial step?
Request an appointment with FXBG Notary in Fredericksburg, Stafford, or Spotsylvania. Tell us your document type, number of signers, preferred location, and deadline. We’ll confirm availability, ID and witness arrangements, and the quoted cost before your visit.
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Sources and further reading
- Library of Virginia: notary returns, 1785–1878
- Library of Virginia: notary applications, 1906–1910
- Virginia identity and appearance rules
- Virginia Notary Handbook (October 2026)
Reviewed October 9, 2026. Requirements can change; use the linked official sources and your recipient’s current instructions.
General information, not legal advice. Follow the document recipient’s instructions and consult an appropriate legal professional about legal effect.