Virginia notary surety bond

A Virginia notary surety bond is a promise, backed by a surety company, that helps pay a person who is harmed by a mistake or by misconduct of a notary. The bond is for the public. It is not for the notary. If the surety pays a claim, the notary usually has to pay the surety back.

Virginia notary bond at a glance

Commission term

Four years, expiring on the last day of the notary's birth month

Commissioned by

Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth

Virginia does not require a notary bond. Commissioning is a two-step process: an application to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, then an in-person oath at the local Circuit Court, which renewing notaries in good standing can skip.

A notary bond does not replace notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. The bond pays the public. E&O protects you.

State rules change. Always check with the Virginia commissioning authority for the current requirements before you apply. Details on this page were last checked on 2026-08-13.

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A notary bond protects the public. E&O insurance is intended to protect you, the notary, against a claim that comes from an error, a mistake or alleged misconduct in your notarial work. Many Virginia notaries add an E&O policy next to the bond.