{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1016.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1016.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1016.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1016.html"}],"law_id":79216,"edition_id":1,"section_id":79216,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1016","catch_line":"Confidentiality of information obtained by the Commission","history":"2006, c. 312, \u00a7 6.1-2.27:1; 2008, c. 303; 2010, c. 794, \u00a7 55-525.32; 2019, c. 712.","full_text":"A\n\nAny documents, materials, or other information in the control or possession of the Commission that are furnished by a title insurance company or title insurance agent or an employee thereof acting on behalf of the title insurance company or title insurance agent, or obtained by the Commission in an investigation pursuant to this chapter, shall be confidential by law and privileged, shall not be subject to inspection or review by the general public, shall not be subject to subpoena, and shall not be subject to discovery or admissible in evidence in any private civil action. The Commission is authorized to use the documents, materials, or other information in the furtherance of any regulatory or legal action brought as a part of the Commission’s duties.B\n\nNeither the Commission nor any person who received documents, materials, or other information while acting under the authority of the Commission shall be permitted or required to testify in any private civil action concerning any confidential documents, materials, or information subject to subsection A.C\n\nIn order to assist in the performance of the Commission’s duties under this chapter, the Commission:1\n\nMay share documents, material, or other information, including the confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information subject to subsection A, with other state, federal, and international regulatory agencies, with the Association and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and with local, state, federal, and international law-enforcement authorities, provided that the recipient agrees to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of the document, material, or other information; and2\n\nMay receive documents, materials, or information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information, from the Association or its affiliates or subsidiaries and from regulatory and law-enforcement officials of other foreign or domestic jurisdictions and shall maintain as confidential or privileged any document, material, or information received with notice or the understanding that it is confidential or privileged under the laws of the jurisdiction that is the source of the document, material, or information.D\n\nNo waiver of any applicable privilege or claim of confidentiality in the documents, materials, or information shall occur as a result of disclosure to the Commission under this section or as a result of sharing as authorized in subsection C.E\n\nNothing in this chapter shall prohibit the Commission from releasing final, adjudicated actions, including for-cause terminations that are open to public inspection pursuant to Chapter 4 (§ 12.1-18 et seq.) of Title 12.1, to a database or other clearinghouse service maintained by the Association or its affiliates or subsidiaries.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":283651,"text":"Any documents, materials, or other information in the control or possession of the Commission that are furnished by a title insurance company or title insurance agent or an employee thereof acting on behalf of the title insurance company or title insurance agent, or obtained by the Commission in an investigation pursuant to this chapter, shall be confidential by law and privileged, shall not be subject to inspection or review by the general public, shall not be subject to subpoena, and shall not be subject to discovery or admissible in evidence in any private civil action. The Commission is authorized to use the documents, materials, or other information in the furtherance of any regulatory or legal action brought as a part of the Commission’s duties.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":283652,"text":"Neither the Commission nor any person who received documents, materials, or other information while acting under the authority of the Commission shall be permitted or required to testify in any private civil action concerning any confidential documents, materials, or information subject to subsection A.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":283653,"text":"In order to assist in the performance of the Commission’s duties under this chapter, the Commission:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":283654,"text":"May share documents, material, or other information, including the confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information subject to subsection A, with other state, federal, and international regulatory agencies, with the Association and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and with local, state, federal, and international law-enforcement authorities, provided that the recipient agrees to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of the document, material, or other information; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":283655,"text":"May receive documents, materials, or information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information, from the Association or its affiliates or subsidiaries and from regulatory and law-enforcement officials of other foreign or domestic jurisdictions and shall maintain as confidential or privileged any document, material, or information received with notice or the understanding that it is confidential or privileged under the laws of the jurisdiction that is the source of the document, material, or information.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":283656,"text":"No waiver of any applicable privilege or claim of confidentiality in the documents, materials, or information shall occur as a result of disclosure to the Commission under this section or as a result of sharing as authorized in subsection C.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":283657,"text":"Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the Commission from releasing final, adjudicated actions, including for-cause terminations that are open to public inspection pursuant to Chapter 4 (§ 12.1-18 et seq.) of Title 12.1, to a database or other clearinghouse service maintained by the Association or its affiliates or subsidiaries.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15275,"edition_id":1,"name":"Real Estate Settlement Agents","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13524,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:31","permalink":{"id":245371,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15275,"identifier":"10","token":"55.1\/II\/10","url":"\/55.1\/II\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13524,"edition_id":1,"name":"Real Estate Settlements and Recordation","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12707,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:07","permalink":{"id":245369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13524,"identifier":"II","token":"55.1\/II","url":"\/55.1\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12707,"edition_id":1,"name":"Property and Conveyances","identifier":"55.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":244769,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12707,"identifier":"55.1","token":"55.1","url":"\/55.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":80642,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1000","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/55.1-1000\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1000","metadata":false},{"id":83132,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1001","catch_line":"Limitation on applicability of chapter","url":"\/55.1-1001\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1001","metadata":false},{"id":79138,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1002","catch_line":"Scope of chapter; lay real estate settlement agents","url":"\/55.1-1002\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1002","metadata":false},{"id":77232,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1003","catch_line":"Persons who may act as a settlement agent","url":"\/55.1-1003\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1003","metadata":false},{"id":68373,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1004","catch_line":"Duties of settlement agents","url":"\/55.1-1004\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1004","metadata":false},{"id":69907,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1005","catch_line":"Persons prohibited from assisting or being employed by settlement agents","url":"\/55.1-1005\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1005","metadata":false},{"id":73624,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1006","catch_line":"Choice of settlement agent","url":"\/55.1-1006\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1006","metadata":false},{"id":58611,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1007","catch_line":"Disclosure","url":"\/55.1-1007\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1007","metadata":false},{"id":58141,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1008","catch_line":"Conditions for providing escrow, closing, or settlement services and for maintaining escrow accounts","url":"\/55.1-1008\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1008","metadata":false},{"id":82868,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1009","catch_line":"Falsifying settlement statements prohibited","url":"\/55.1-1009\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1009","metadata":false},{"id":72074,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1009.1","catch_line":"Prohibition against payment or receipt of settlement services kickbacks, rebates, commissions, and other payments","url":"\/55.1-1009.1\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1009.1","metadata":false},{"id":69513,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1010","catch_line":"Separate charge for reporting transactions limited","url":"\/55.1-1010\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1010","metadata":false},{"id":84855,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1011","catch_line":"Record retention requirements","url":"\/55.1-1011\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1011","metadata":false},{"id":71946,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1012","catch_line":"Regulations and orders","url":"\/55.1-1012\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1012","metadata":false},{"id":59279,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1013","catch_line":"Accounting by title insurance companies","url":"\/55.1-1013\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1013","metadata":false},{"id":70071,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1014","catch_line":"Settlement agent registration requirements and compliance with unauthorized practice of law guidelines; civil penalty","url":"\/55.1-1014\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1014","metadata":false},{"id":65576,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1015","catch_line":"Penalties and liabilities","url":"\/55.1-1015\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1015","metadata":false},{"id":69153,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1015.1","catch_line":"Civil penalties; attorney fees","url":"\/55.1-1015.1\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1015.1","metadata":false},{"id":79216,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1016","catch_line":"Confidentiality of information obtained by the Commission","url":"\/55.1-1016\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1016","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69153,"structure_id":15275,"section_number":"55.1-1015.1","catch_line":"Civil penalties; attorney fees","url":"\/55.1-1015.1\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1015.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1016\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2006. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 312<\/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 3 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 2008, chapter 303<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 794<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68373,"section_number":"55.1-1004","catch_line":"Duties of settlement agents","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1004\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":69063,"section_number":"12.1-18","catch_line":"Subordinates and employees to be appointed to serve at pleasure of Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/12.1-18\/"}],"permalink":{"id":245445,"object_type":"law","relational_id":79216,"identifier":"55.1-1016","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1016","url":"\/55.1-1016\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1016\/","token":"55.1\/II\/10\/55.1-1016","dublin_core":{"Title":"Confidentiality of information obtained by the Commission","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1016","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any documents, materials<\/span>, or other information in the control or possession<\/span> of the Commission<\/span> that are furnished by a title insurance company or title insurance agent or an employee thereof acting on behalf of the title insurance company or title insurance agent, or obtained by the Commission<\/span> in an investigation pursuant to this chapter, shall be confidential by law<\/span> and privileged, shall not be subject to inspection or review by the general public, shall not be subject to subpoena<\/span>, and shall not be subject to discovery<\/span> or admissible<\/span> in evidence<\/span> in any private civil action<\/span>. The Commission<\/span> is authorized to use the documents, materials<\/span>, or other information in the furtherance of any regulatory or legal action brought as a part of the Commission<\/span>’s duties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Neither the Commission<\/span> nor any person who received documents, materials<\/span>, or other information while acting under the authority of the Commission<\/span> shall be permitted or required to testify in any private civil action<\/span> concerning any confidential documents, materials<\/span>, or information subject to subsection A. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In order<\/span> to assist in the performance of the Commission<\/span>’s duties under this chapter, the Commission<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> May share documents, material<\/span>, or other information, including the confidential and privileged documents, materials<\/span>, or information subject to subsection A, with other state, federal, and international regulatory agencies, with the Association<\/span> and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and with local, state, federal, and international law<\/span>-enforcement authorities, provided that the recipient agrees to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of the document, material<\/span>, or other information; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> May receive documents, materials<\/span>, or information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, materials<\/span>, or information, from the Association<\/span> or its affiliates or subsidiaries and from regulatory and law<\/span>-enforcement officials of other foreign or domestic jurisdictions<\/span> and shall maintain as confidential or privileged any document, material<\/span>, or information received with notice or the understanding that it is confidential or privileged under the laws<\/span> of the jurisdiction<\/span> that is the source of the document, material<\/span>, or information. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> No waiver<\/span> of any applicable privilege<\/span> or claim of confidentiality in the documents, materials<\/span>, or information shall occur as a result of disclosure to the Commission<\/span> under this section or as a result of sharing as authorized in subsection C. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the Commission<\/span> from releasing final, adjudicated actions, including for-cause terminations that are open to public inspection pursuant to Chapter 4 (§ 12.1-18<\/a> et seq.) of Title 12.1, to a database or other clearinghouse service maintained by the Association<\/span> or its affiliates or subsidiaries. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION OBTAINED BY THE COMMISSION (\u00a7 55.1-1016)\n\nA. Any documents, materials, or other information in the control or possession\nof the Commission that are furnished by a title insurance company or title\ninsurance agent or an employee thereof acting on behalf of the title insurance\ncompany or title insurance agent, or obtained by the Commission in an\ninvestigation pursuant to this chapter, shall be confidential by law and\nprivileged, shall not be subject to inspection or review by the general public,\nshall not be subject to subpoena, and shall not be subject to discovery or\nadmissible in evidence in any private civil action. The Commission is authorized\nto use the documents, materials, or other information in the furtherance of any\nregulatory or legal action brought as a part of the Commission’s duties.\n\nB. Neither the Commission nor any person who received documents, materials, or\nother information while acting under the authority of the Commission shall be\npermitted or required to testify in any private civil action concerning any\nconfidential documents, materials, or information subject to subsection A.\n\nC. In order to assist in the performance of the Commission’s duties under\nthis chapter, the Commission:\n\n 1. May share documents, material, or other information, including the\n confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information subject to\n subsection A, with other state, federal, and international regulatory\n agencies, with the Association and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and with\n local, state, federal, and international law-enforcement authorities, provided\n that the recipient agrees to maintain the confidentiality and privileged\n status of the document, material, or other information; and\n\n 2. May receive documents, materials, or information, including otherwise\n confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information, from the\n Association or its affiliates or subsidiaries and from regulatory and\n law-enforcement officials of other foreign or domestic jurisdictions and shall\n maintain as confidential or privileged any document, material, or information\n received with notice or the understanding that it is confidential or\n privileged under the laws of the jurisdiction that is the source of the\n document, material, or information.\n\nD. No waiver of any applicable privilege or claim of confidentiality in the\ndocuments, materials, or information shall occur as a result of disclosure to\nthe Commission under this section or as a result of sharing as authorized in\nsubsection C.\n\nE. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the Commission from releasing final,\nadjudicated actions, including for-cause terminations that are open to public\ninspection pursuant to Chapter 4 (§ 12.1-18 et seq.) of Title 12.1, to a\ndatabase or other clearinghouse service maintained by the Association or its\naffiliates or subsidiaries.\n\nHISTORY: 2006, c. 312, \u00a7 6.1-2.27:1; 2008, c. 303; 2010, c. 794, \u00a7 55-525.32;\n2019, c. 712.","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}}