{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-186.4_1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-186.4_1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-186.4_1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-186.4_1.html"}],"law_id":74122,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74122,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.4:1","catch_line":"Internet publication of personal information of certain public officials","history":"2010, c. 767; 2012, c. 143; 2014, c. 170; 2023, cc. 801, 802; 2025, cc. 207, 215.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Commonwealth shall not publish on the Internet the personal information of any public official if a court has, pursuant to subsection B, ordered that the official’s personal information is prohibited from publication and the official has made a demand in writing to the Commonwealth, accompanied by the order of the court, that the Commonwealth not publish such information.B\n\nAny public official may petition a circuit court for an order prohibiting the publication on the Internet, by the Commonwealth, of the official’s personal information. The petition shall set forth the specific reasons that the official seeks the order. The court shall issue such an order only if it finds that (i) there exists a threat to the official or a person who resides with him that would result from publication of the information or (ii) the official has demonstrated a reasonable fear of a risk to his safety or the safety of someone who resides with him that would result from publication of the information on the Internet.C\n\nIf the Commonwealth publishes the public official’s personal information on the Internet prior to receipt of a written demand by the official under subsection A or E, it shall remove the information from publication on the Internet within 48 hours of receipt of the written demand.D\n\nA written demand made by any public official pursuant to this section shall be effective for four years as follows:1\n\nFor a law-enforcement officer, if the officer remains continuously employed as a law-enforcement officer throughout the four-year period;2\n\nFor an attorney for the Commonwealth, if such public official continuously serves throughout the four-year period; and3\n\nFor a retired or former law-enforcement officer, if such public official was retired or ended his service as a law-enforcement officer within four years of filing the petition.E\n\nThe Commonwealth shall not publish on the Internet the personal information of any active or retired federal or Virginia justice, judge, or magistrate who has made a demand in writing to the Commonwealth that the Commonwealth not publish such information. A written demand made pursuant to this subsection shall be effective until such demand is rescinded in writing by such judge, justice, or magistrate.F\n\nFor purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Commonwealth” means any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia.\n\t\t\t“Law-enforcement officer” means the same as that term is defined in § 9.1-101, 5 U.S.C. § 8331(20), excluding officers whose duties relate to detention as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 8331(20), and any other federal officer or agent who is credentialed with the authority to enforce federal law.\n\t\t\t“Personal information” means home address, home telephone numbers, personal cell phone numbers, or personal email address.\n\t\t\t“Publication” and “publishes” means intentionally communicating personal information to, or otherwise making personal information available to, and accessible by, the general public through the Internet or other online service.\n\t\t\t“Public official” means any law-enforcement officer, retired or former law-enforcement officer, or attorney for the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Retired or former law-enforcement officer” means any person who was employed as a law-enforcement officer as that term is defined in § 9.1-101; has retired from law enforcement or has ended his service as a law-enforcement officer; and is in good standing with no pending investigations or disciplinary actions.G\n\nNo provision of this section shall apply to lists of registered voters and persons who voted, voter registration records, or lists of absentee voters prepared or provided under Title 24.2.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":266561,"text":"The Commonwealth shall not publish on the Internet the personal information of any public official if a court has, pursuant to subsection B, ordered that the official’s personal information is prohibited from publication and the official has made a demand in writing to the Commonwealth, accompanied by the order of the court, that the Commonwealth not publish such information.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":266562,"text":"Any public official may petition a circuit court for an order prohibiting the publication on the Internet, by the Commonwealth, of the official’s personal information. The petition shall set forth the specific reasons that the official seeks the order. The court shall issue such an order only if it finds that (i) there exists a threat to the official or a person who resides with him that would result from publication of the information or (ii) the official has demonstrated a reasonable fear of a risk to his safety or the safety of someone who resides with him that would result from publication of the information on the Internet.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":266563,"text":"If the Commonwealth publishes the public official’s personal information on the Internet prior to receipt of a written demand by the official under subsection A or E, it shall remove the information from publication on the Internet within 48 hours of receipt of the written demand.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":266564,"text":"A written demand made by any public official pursuant to this section shall be effective for four years as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"4":{"id":266565,"text":"For a law-enforcement officer, if the officer remains continuously employed as a law-enforcement officer throughout the four-year period;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"5":{"id":266566,"text":"For an attorney for the Commonwealth, if such public official continuously serves throughout the four-year period; and","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"6":{"id":266567,"text":"For a retired or former law-enforcement officer, if such public official was retired or ended his service as a law-enforcement officer within four years of filing the petition.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":266568,"text":"The Commonwealth shall not publish on the Internet the personal information of any active or retired federal or Virginia justice, judge, or magistrate who has made a demand in writing to the Commonwealth that the Commonwealth not publish such information. A written demand made pursuant to this subsection shall be effective until such demand is rescinded in writing by such judge, justice, or magistrate.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"F"},"8":{"id":266569,"text":"For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Commonwealth” means any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia.\n\t\t\t“Law-enforcement officer” means the same as that term is defined in § 9.1-101, 5 U.S.C. § 8331(20), excluding officers whose duties relate to detention as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 8331(20), and any other federal officer or agent who is credentialed with the authority to enforce federal law.\n\t\t\t“Personal information” means home address, home telephone numbers, personal cell phone numbers, or personal email address.\n\t\t\t“Publication” and “publishes” means intentionally communicating personal information to, or otherwise making personal information available to, and accessible by, the general public through the Internet or other online service.\n\t\t\t“Public official” means any law-enforcement officer, retired or former law-enforcement officer, or attorney for the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Retired or former law-enforcement officer” means any person who was employed as a law-enforcement officer as that term is defined in § 9.1-101; has retired from law enforcement or has ended his service as a law-enforcement officer; and is in good standing with no pending investigations or disciplinary actions.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"9":{"id":266570,"text":"No provision of this section shall apply to lists of registered voters and persons who voted, voter registration records, or lists of absentee voters prepared or provided under Title 24.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14590,"edition_id":1,"name":"False Representations to Obtain Property or Credit","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13358,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:47","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:47","permalink":{"id":166089,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14590,"identifier":"5","token":"18.2\/6\/5","url":"\/18.2\/6\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13358,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Fraud","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":165933,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13358,"identifier":"6","token":"18.2\/6","url":"\/18.2\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":70856,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186","catch_line":"False statements to obtain property or credit","url":"\/18.2-186\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186","metadata":false},{"id":70659,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-186.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.1","metadata":false},{"id":75819,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.2","catch_line":"False statements or failure to disclose material facts in order to obtain aid or benefits under any local, state or federal housing assistance program","url":"\/18.2-186.2\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.2","metadata":false},{"id":73403,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.3","catch_line":"Identity theft; penalty; restitution; victim assistance","url":"\/18.2-186.3\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.3","metadata":false},{"id":68386,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.3:1","catch_line":"Identity fraud; consumer reporting agencies; police reports","url":"\/18.2-186.3_1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.3_1","metadata":false},{"id":86000,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.4","catch_line":"Use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass; penalty","url":"\/18.2-186.4\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.4","metadata":false},{"id":74122,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.4:1","catch_line":"Internet publication of personal information of certain public officials","url":"\/18.2-186.4_1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.4_1","metadata":false},{"id":63464,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.5","catch_line":"Expungement of false identity information from police and court records; Identity Theft Passport","url":"\/18.2-186.5\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.5","metadata":false},{"id":64651,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.6","catch_line":"Breach of personal information notification","url":"\/18.2-186.6\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.6","metadata":false},{"id":56090,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-187","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-187\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-187","metadata":false},{"id":64355,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-187.1","catch_line":"Obtaining or attempting to obtain oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service without payment; penalty; civil liability","url":"\/18.2-187.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-187.1","metadata":false},{"id":72422,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-187.2","catch_line":"Audiovisual recording of motion pictures unlawful; penalty","url":"\/18.2-187.2\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-187.2","metadata":false},{"id":64840,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-188","catch_line":"Defrauding hotels, motels, campgrounds, boardinghouses, etc","url":"\/18.2-188\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-188","metadata":false},{"id":61566,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-188.1","catch_line":"Defrauding person having a lien on an animal; penalty","url":"\/18.2-188.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-188.1","metadata":false},{"id":78241,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-189","catch_line":"Defrauding keeper of motor vehicles or watercraft","url":"\/18.2-189\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-189","metadata":false},{"id":76832,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-190","catch_line":"Fraudulent misrepresentation as to breed of bull or cattle","url":"\/18.2-190\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-190","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86000,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.4","catch_line":"Use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass; penalty","url":"\/18.2-186.4\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.4","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":63464,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.5","catch_line":"Expungement of false identity information from police and court records; Identity Theft Passport","url":"\/18.2-186.5\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.5","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-186.4:1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2010. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 767<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2012, chapter 143<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 170<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 801<\/a> and 802<\/a>; in 2025, chapters 207<\/a> and 215<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"}],"permalink":{"id":166115,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74122,"identifier":"18.2-186.4:1","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.4_1","url":"\/18.2-186.4_1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-186.4_1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.4_1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Internet publication of personal information of certain public officials","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-186.4:1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Commonwealth<\/span> shall not publish on the Internet the personal information<\/span> of any public official<\/span> if a court<\/span> has, pursuant to subsection B, ordered that the official’s personal information<\/span> is prohibited from publication<\/span> and the official has made a demand in writing to the Commonwealth<\/span>, accompanied by the order<\/span> of the court<\/span>, that the Commonwealth<\/span> not publish such information. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any public official<\/span> may petition<\/span> a circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for an order<\/span> prohibiting the publication<\/span> on the Internet, by the Commonwealth<\/span>, of the official’s personal information<\/span>. The petition<\/span> shall set forth the specific reasons that the official seeks the order<\/span>. The court<\/span> shall issue<\/span> such an order<\/span> only if it finds that (i) there exists a threat to the official or a person who resides with him that would result from publication<\/span> of the information or (ii) the official has demonstrated a reasonable fear of a risk to his safety or the safety of someone who resides with him that would result from publication<\/span> of the information on the Internet. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If the Commonwealth<\/span> publishes<\/span> the public official<\/span>’s personal information<\/span> on the Internet prior to receipt of a written demand by the official under subsection A or E, it shall remove the information from publication<\/span> on the Internet within 48 hours of receipt of the written demand. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A written demand made by any public official<\/span> pursuant to this section shall be effective for four years as follows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> For a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>, if the officer remains continuously employed as a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> throughout the four-year period; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> For an attorney for the Commonwealth<\/span>, if such public official<\/span> continuously serves throughout the four-year period; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> For a retired or former law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>, if such public official<\/span> was retired or ended his service as a law<\/span>-enforcement officer within four years of filing the petition<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Commonwealth<\/span> shall not publish on the Internet the personal information<\/span> of any active or retired federal or Virginia justice, judge<\/span>, or magistrate<\/span> who has made a demand in writing to the Commonwealth<\/span> that the Commonwealth<\/span> not publish such information. A written demand made pursuant to this subsection shall be effective until such demand is rescinded in writing by such judge<\/span>, justice, or magistrate<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Commonwealth<\/span>” means any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth<\/span> of Virginia.\n\t\t\t“Law<\/span>-enforcement officer” means the same as that term is defined in § 9.1-101<\/a>, 5 U.S.C. § 8331(20), excluding officers whose duties relate to detention as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 8331(20), and any other federal officer or agent who is credentialed with the authority to enforce federal law<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Personal information<\/span>” means home address, home telephone numbers, personal cell phone numbers, or personal email address.\n\t\t\t“Publication<\/span>” and “publishes<\/span>” means intentionally communicating personal information<\/span> to, or otherwise making personal information<\/span> available to, and accessible by, the general public through the Internet or other online service.\n\t\t\t“Public official<\/span>” means any law<\/span>-enforcement officer, retired or former law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>, or attorney for the Commonwealth<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Retired or former law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>” means any person who was employed as a law<\/span>-enforcement officer as that term is defined in § 9.1-101<\/a>; has retired from law<\/span> enforcement or has ended his service as a law<\/span>-enforcement officer; and is in good standing with no pending investigations or disciplinary actions. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> No provision of this section shall apply to lists of registered voters and persons who voted, voter registration records, or lists of absentee voters prepared or provided under Title 24.2. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINTERNET PUBLICATION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC OFFICIALS (\u00a7\n18.2-186.4:1)\n\nA. The Commonwealth shall not publish on the Internet the personal information\nof any public official if a court has, pursuant to subsection B, ordered that\nthe official’s personal information is prohibited from publication and the\nofficial has made a demand in writing to the Commonwealth, accompanied by the\norder of the court, that the Commonwealth not publish such information.\n\nB. Any public official may petition a circuit court for an order prohibiting the\npublication on the Internet, by the Commonwealth, of the official’s\npersonal information. The petition shall set forth the specific reasons that the\nofficial seeks the order. The court shall issue such an order only if it finds\nthat (i) there exists a threat to the official or a person who resides with him\nthat would result from publication of the information or (ii) the official has\ndemonstrated a reasonable fear of a risk to his safety or the safety of someone\nwho resides with him that would result from publication of the information on\nthe Internet.\n\nC. If the Commonwealth publishes the public official’s personal\ninformation on the Internet prior to receipt of a written demand by the official\nunder subsection A or E, it shall remove the information from publication on the\nInternet within 48 hours of receipt of the written demand.\n\nD. A written demand made by any public official pursuant to this section shall\nbe effective for four years as follows:\n\n 1. For a law-enforcement officer, if the officer remains continuously employed\n as a law-enforcement officer throughout the four-year period;\n\n 2. For an attorney for the Commonwealth, if such public official continuously\n serves throughout the four-year period; and\n\n 3. For a retired or former law-enforcement officer, if such public official\n was retired or ended his service as a law-enforcement officer within four\n years of filing the petition.\n\nE. The Commonwealth shall not publish on the Internet the personal information\nof any active or retired federal or Virginia justice, judge, or magistrate who\nhas made a demand in writing to the Commonwealth that the Commonwealth not\npublish such information. A written demand made pursuant to this subsection\nshall be effective until such demand is rescinded in writing by such judge,\njustice, or magistrate.\n\nF. For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Commonwealth” means any agency or political subdivision of the\nCommonwealth of Virginia.\n\t\t\t“Law-enforcement officer” means the same as that term is defined\nin § 9.1-101, 5 U.S.C. § 8331(20), excluding officers whose duties\nrelate to detention as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 8331(20), and any other\nfederal officer or agent who is credentialed with the authority to enforce\nfederal law.\n\t\t\t“Personal information” means home address, home telephone\nnumbers, personal cell phone numbers, or personal email address.\n\t\t\t“Publication” and “publishes” means intentionally\ncommunicating personal information to, or otherwise making personal information\navailable to, and accessible by, the general public through the Internet or\nother online service.\n\t\t\t“Public official” means any law-enforcement officer, retired or\nformer law-enforcement officer, or attorney for the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Retired or former law-enforcement officer” means any person who\nwas employed as a law-enforcement officer as that term is defined in §\n9.1-101; has retired from law enforcement or has ended his service as a\nlaw-enforcement officer; and is in good standing with no pending investigations\nor disciplinary actions.\n\nG. No provision of this section shall apply to lists of registered voters and\npersons who voted, voter registration records, or lists of absentee voters\nprepared or provided under Title 24.2.\n\nHISTORY: 2010, c. 767; 2012, c. 143; 2014, c. 170; 2023, cc. 801, 802; 2025, cc.\n207, 215.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}