{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-402.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-402.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-402.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-402.html"}],"law_id":76152,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76152,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-402","catch_line":"Keeper of seals of Commonwealth; duties generally","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 2-60, 14-13; 1956, c. 217; 1964, c. 386, \u00a7 14.1-14; 1966, c. 677, \u00a7 2.1-68; 1998, c. 872; 1999, c. 51; 2001, c. 844; 2012, c. 271; 2019, c. 181.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Secretary of the Commonwealth shall (i) be keeper of the seals of the Commonwealth; (ii) keep a record of all executive acts, arrange and preserve all records and papers belonging to the executive branch of state government; (iii) be charged with the clerical duties of that department; and (iv) render to the Governor, in the dispatch of executive business, such services as he requires. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall record or register all papers or documents required by law to be registered or recorded in his office, and, when required, furnish a copy of any record in his office under the seal of the Commonwealth.B\n\nThe Secretary of the Commonwealth may authenticate records of any court of the Commonwealth and of any department of the government. He shall keep a register of all city, incorporated town, county, and district officers, and, when required, give a certificate of the election and qualification of any such officer.C\n\nThe Secretary of the Commonwealth shall make an annual report to the Governor, identifying the following: (i) the governing boards of all public institutions of higher education, and other boards appointed by the Governor; (ii) all commissions issued under appointments made by the Governor, except commissions to notaries public; (iii) all departments, boards, councils, commissions, and other collegial bodies created in the executive branch of state government; and (iv) such other matters as the Governor requires.\n\t\t\tThe annual report shall also include:1\n\nAn organizational chart of state government that (i) identifies each agency, department, and institution of state government and (ii) contains a brief description of the duties of each agency, department, and institution. The Secretary of the Commonwealth may include such other information in the organizational chart as the Secretary deems appropriate. Annually, the Secretary shall make such revisions to the organizational chart as are necessary to ensure its accuracy. The organizational chart shall be posted on the Commonwealth’s website; and2\n\nInformation and photographs of the members of the General Assembly; these materials shall be maintained for the Secretary’s use in the annual report by the Clerks of the House of Delegates and the Senate.\n\t\t\t\tThe reports shall be transmitted by the Governor to the General Assembly, printed as other annual reports are printed, bound in a separate volume, and disposed of according to law.D\n\nThe Secretary of the Commonwealth shall collect all fees described in § 2.2-409, and all other fees of office and commissions, accruing and pay them into the state treasury.E\n\nThe Secretary of the Commonwealth shall, as soon as practicable, forward a copy of any absolute pardon granted by the Governor to a person for the commission of a crime that such person did not commit to the circuit court for the county or city in which such person was convicted of the crime for which the Governor granted the absolute pardon.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":273340,"text":"The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall (i) be keeper of the seals of the Commonwealth; (ii) keep a record of all executive acts, arrange and preserve all records and papers belonging to the executive branch of state government; (iii) be charged with the clerical duties of that department; and (iv) render to the Governor, in the dispatch of executive business, such services as he requires. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall record or register all papers or documents required by law to be registered or recorded in his office, and, when required, furnish a copy of any record in his office under the seal of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":273341,"text":"The Secretary of the Commonwealth may authenticate records of any court of the Commonwealth and of any department of the government. He shall keep a register of all city, incorporated town, county, and district officers, and, when required, give a certificate of the election and qualification of any such officer.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":273342,"text":"The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall make an annual report to the Governor, identifying the following: (i) the governing boards of all public institutions of higher education, and other boards appointed by the Governor; (ii) all commissions issued under appointments made by the Governor, except commissions to notaries public; (iii) all departments, boards, councils, commissions, and other collegial bodies created in the executive branch of state government; and (iv) such other matters as the Governor requires.\n\t\t\tThe annual report shall also include:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":273343,"text":"An organizational chart of state government that (i) identifies each agency, department, and institution of state government and (ii) contains a brief description of the duties of each agency, department, and institution. The Secretary of the Commonwealth may include such other information in the organizational chart as the Secretary deems appropriate. Annually, the Secretary shall make such revisions to the organizational chart as are necessary to ensure its accuracy. The organizational chart shall be posted on the Commonwealth’s website; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":273344,"text":"Information and photographs of the members of the General Assembly; these materials shall be maintained for the Secretary’s use in the annual report by the Clerks of the House of Delegates and the Senate.\n\t\t\t\tThe reports shall be transmitted by the Governor to the General Assembly, printed as other annual reports are printed, bound in a separate volume, and disposed of according to law.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":273345,"text":"The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall collect all fees described in § 2.2-409, and all other fees of office and commissions, accruing and pay them into the state treasury.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":273346,"text":"The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall, as soon as practicable, forward a copy of any absolute pardon granted by the Governor to a person for the commission of a crime that such person did not commit to the circuit court for the county or city in which such person was convicted of the crime for which the Governor granted the absolute pardon.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13134,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13133,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":172039,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13134,"identifier":"1","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13133,"edition_id":1,"name":"Secretary of the Commonwealth","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13132,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":172037,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13133,"identifier":"4","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13132,"edition_id":1,"name":"Office of the Governor","identifier":"A","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":171457,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13132,"identifier":"A","token":"2.2\/I\/A","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12784,"edition_id":1,"name":"Organization of State Government","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12749,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":171455,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12784,"identifier":"I","token":"2.2\/I","url":"\/2.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12749,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration of Government","identifier":"2.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":171453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12749,"identifier":"2.2","token":"2.2","url":"\/2.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":80838,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-400","catch_line":"Appointment and term of office; filling vacancies; oath","url":"\/2.2-400\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-400","metadata":false},{"id":54771,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-401","catch_line":"Ex officio Secretary to Governor; in charge of division of records","url":"\/2.2-401\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401","metadata":false},{"id":79241,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-401.01","catch_line":"Liaison to Virginia Indian tribes; Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation; Virginia Indigenous People's Trust Fund","url":"\/2.2-401.01\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401.01","metadata":false},{"id":68298,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-401.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/2.2-401.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401.1","metadata":false},{"id":76152,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-402","catch_line":"Keeper of seals of Commonwealth; duties generally","url":"\/2.2-402\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-402","metadata":false},{"id":77648,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-403","catch_line":"Compilation of compacts and related records and reports","url":"\/2.2-403\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-403","metadata":false},{"id":82210,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-404","catch_line":"Certifying records for use in other states","url":"\/2.2-404\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-404","metadata":false},{"id":67854,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-405","catch_line":"Secretary of Commonwealth to present list of vacancies to arise on commissions, boards, etc","url":"\/2.2-405\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-405","metadata":false},{"id":54163,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-406","catch_line":"Secretary of Commonwealth to report list of interim appointments requiring confirmation; other appointments","url":"\/2.2-406\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-406","metadata":false},{"id":54303,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-406.1","catch_line":"Secretary of Commonwealth to maintain and transfer records on collegial bodies to the Governor-elect","url":"\/2.2-406.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-406.1","metadata":false},{"id":85688,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-407","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/2.2-407\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-407","metadata":false},{"id":79553,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-408","catch_line":"Collection of information relevant to boundary changes from governmental subdivisions of Commonwealth","url":"\/2.2-408\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-408","metadata":false},{"id":69186,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-409","catch_line":"Secretary of the Commonwealth","url":"\/2.2-409\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-409","metadata":false},{"id":72766,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-410","catch_line":"Appointment of assistants; deputy to act in absence of Secretary; notice to Governor","url":"\/2.2-410\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-410","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":68298,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-401.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/2.2-401.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":77648,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-403","catch_line":"Compilation of compacts and related records and reports","url":"\/2.2-403\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-403","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-402\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1956, chapter 217; in 1964, chapter 386; in 1966, chapter 677; in 1998, chapter 872<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 51<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 844<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 271<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 181<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77838,"section_number":"19.2-392.2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Expungement of police and court records","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":69186,"section_number":"2.2-409","catch_line":"Secretary of the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-409\/"}],"permalink":{"id":172057,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76152,"identifier":"2.2-402","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-402","url":"\/2.2-402\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-402\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-402","dublin_core":{"Title":"Keeper of seals of Commonwealth; duties generally","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-402","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall (i) be keeper of the seals of the Commonwealth; (ii) keep a record of all executive acts, arrange and preserve all records and papers belonging to the executive branch of state government; (iii) be charged with the clerical duties of that department; and (iv) render to the Governor, in the dispatch of executive business, such services as he requires. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall record or register all papers or documents required by law<\/span> to be registered or recorded in his office, and, when required, furnish a copy of any record in his office under the seal of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Secretary of the Commonwealth may authenticate records of any court<\/span> of the Commonwealth and of any department of the government. He shall keep a register of all city, incorporated town, county, and district officers, and, when required, give a certificate of the election and qualification of any such officer. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall make an annual report to the Governor, identifying the following: (i) the governing boards of all public institutions of higher education, and other boards appointed by the Governor; (ii) all commissions issued under appointments made by the Governor, except commissions to notaries public; (iii) all departments, boards, councils, commissions, and other collegial bodies created in the executive branch of state government; and (iv) such other matters as the Governor requires.\n\t\t\tThe annual report shall also include: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> An organizational chart of state government that (i) identifies each agency, department, and institution of state government and (ii) contains a brief<\/span> description of the duties of each agency, department, and institution. The Secretary of the Commonwealth may include such other information in the organizational chart as the Secretary deems appropriate. Annually, the Secretary shall make such revisions to the organizational chart as are necessary to ensure its accuracy. The organizational chart shall be posted on the Commonwealth’s website; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Information and photographs of the members of the General Assembly; these materials<\/span> shall be maintained for the Secretary’s use in the annual report by the Clerks of the House of Delegates and the Senate.\n\t\t\t\tThe reports shall be transmitted by the Governor to the General Assembly, printed as other annual reports are printed, bound in a separate volume, and disposed of according to law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall collect all fees described in § 2.2-409<\/a>, and all other fees of office and commissions, accruing and pay them into the state treasury. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall, as soon as practicable, forward a copy of any absolute pardon<\/span> granted by the Governor to a person for the commission of a crime<\/span> that such person did not commit to the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for the county or city in which such person was convicted of the crime<\/span> for which the Governor granted the absolute pardon<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nKEEPER OF SEALS OF COMMONWEALTH; DUTIES GENERALLY (\u00a7 2.2-402)\n\nA. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall (i) be keeper of the seals of the\nCommonwealth; (ii) keep a record of all executive acts, arrange and preserve all\nrecords and papers belonging to the executive branch of state government; (iii)\nbe charged with the clerical duties of that department; and (iv) render to the\nGovernor, in the dispatch of executive business, such services as he requires.\nThe Secretary of the Commonwealth shall record or register all papers or\ndocuments required by law to be registered or recorded in his office, and, when\nrequired, furnish a copy of any record in his office under the seal of the\nCommonwealth.\n\nB. The Secretary of the Commonwealth may authenticate records of any court of\nthe Commonwealth and of any department of the government. He shall keep a\nregister of all city, incorporated town, county, and district officers, and,\nwhen required, give a certificate of the election and qualification of any such\nofficer.\n\nC. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall make an annual report to the\nGovernor, identifying the following: (i) the governing boards of all public\ninstitutions of higher education, and other boards appointed by the Governor;\n(ii) all commissions issued under appointments made by the Governor, except\ncommissions to notaries public; (iii) all departments, boards, councils,\ncommissions, and other collegial bodies created in the executive branch of state\ngovernment; and (iv) such other matters as the Governor requires.\n\t\t\tThe annual report shall also include:\n\n 1. An organizational chart of state government that (i) identifies each\n agency, department, and institution of state government and (ii) contains a\n brief description of the duties of each agency, department, and institution.\n The Secretary of the Commonwealth may include such other information in the\n organizational chart as the Secretary deems appropriate. Annually, the\n Secretary shall make such revisions to the organizational chart as are\n necessary to ensure its accuracy. The organizational chart shall be posted on\n the Commonwealth’s website; and\n\n 2. Information and photographs of the members of the General Assembly; these\n materials shall be maintained for the Secretary’s use in the annual\n report by the Clerks of the House of Delegates and the Senate.\n \t\t\t\tThe reports shall be transmitted by the Governor to the General Assembly,\n printed as other annual reports are printed, bound in a separate volume, and\n disposed of according to law.\n\nD. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall collect all fees described in §\n2.2-409, and all other fees of office and commissions, accruing and pay them\ninto the state treasury.\n\nE. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall, as soon as practicable, forward a\ncopy of any absolute pardon granted by the Governor to a person for the\ncommission of a crime that such person did not commit to the circuit court for\nthe county or city in which such person was convicted of the crime for which the\nGovernor granted the absolute pardon.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 2-60, 14-13; 1956, c. 217; 1964, c. 386, \u00a7 14.1-14;\n1966, c. 677, \u00a7 2.1-68; 1998, c. 872; 1999, c. 51; 2001, c. 844; 2012, c. 271;\n2019, c. 181.","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}}