{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-2400.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-2400.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-2400.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-2400.html"}],"law_id":76052,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76052,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2400","catch_line":"Definition","history":"1984, c. 315, \u00a7 55-170.1; 1988, c. 312; 1996, c. 551; 2019, c. 712.","full_text":"As used in this chapter, &#8220;known&#8221; in terms of determining whether an owner is &#8220;known&#8221; includes inspection of tax records and any other inquiry deemed to be reasonable. It need not include inspection of the premises or inspection of title records in the clerk&#8217;s office in the county or city in which the land is located.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":272965,"text":"As used in this chapter, &#8220;known&#8221; in terms of determining whether an owner is &#8220;known&#8221; includes inspection of tax records and any other inquiry deemed to be reasonable. It need not include inspection of the premises or inspection of title records in the clerk&#8217;s office in the county or city in which the land is located.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13845,"edition_id":1,"name":"Escheats","identifier":"24","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12708,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:03","permalink":{"id":247773,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13845,"identifier":"24","token":"55.1\/V\/24","url":"\/55.1\/V\/24\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12708,"edition_id":1,"name":"Miscellaneous","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12707,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":247771,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12708,"identifier":"V","token":"55.1\/V","url":"\/55.1\/V\/","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":76052,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2400","catch_line":"Definition","url":"\/55.1-2400\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2400","metadata":false},{"id":56710,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2401","catch_line":"Appointment of escheators","url":"\/55.1-2401\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2401","metadata":false},{"id":69679,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2402","catch_line":"Bond of escheator","url":"\/55.1-2402\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2402","metadata":false},{"id":58339,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2403","catch_line":"Increase or reduction of penalty of escheator's bond; effect","url":"\/55.1-2403\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2403","metadata":false},{"id":77792,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2404","catch_line":"Annual report to escheator; lands not liable","url":"\/55.1-2404\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2404","metadata":false},{"id":78504,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2405","catch_line":"Escheator to hold inquest; notice of inquest","url":"\/55.1-2405\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2405","metadata":false},{"id":64508,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2406","catch_line":"Jury of inquest; presentation of evidence","url":"\/55.1-2406\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2406","metadata":false},{"id":67691,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2407","catch_line":"Attendance of jurors; compensation","url":"\/55.1-2407\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2407","metadata":false},{"id":80657,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2408","catch_line":"How verdict signed; where returned and recorded","url":"\/55.1-2408\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2408","metadata":false},{"id":75629,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2409","catch_line":"Proceedings to claim land escheated","url":"\/55.1-2409\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2409","metadata":false},{"id":67698,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2410","catch_line":"Trial by jury; judgment of court","url":"\/55.1-2410\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2410","metadata":false},{"id":75755,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2411","catch_line":"Facts or evidence to be certified","url":"\/55.1-2411\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2411","metadata":false},{"id":69951,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2412","catch_line":"Lands may be committed to claimant while claim pending","url":"\/55.1-2412\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2412","metadata":false},{"id":64880,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2413","catch_line":"Disposition of lands while claim is pending, if not committed to claimant","url":"\/55.1-2413\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2413","metadata":false},{"id":79488,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2414","catch_line":"Escheator to notify State Treasurer of claim and decision","url":"\/55.1-2414\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2414","metadata":false},{"id":83787,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2415","catch_line":"Escheators to certify lands escheated","url":"\/55.1-2415\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2415","metadata":false},{"id":74839,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2416","catch_line":"Removal of parcels from the certificate","url":"\/55.1-2416\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2416","metadata":false},{"id":64746,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2417","catch_line":"Escheat of property with hazardous materials","url":"\/55.1-2417\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2417","metadata":false},{"id":58743,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2418","catch_line":"Publication of escheator's certificate","url":"\/55.1-2418\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2418","metadata":false},{"id":72864,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2419","catch_line":"Order of sale by Governor","url":"\/55.1-2419\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2419","metadata":false},{"id":81462,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2420","catch_line":"Form of sale agreement; notice of right to refund","url":"\/55.1-2420\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2420","metadata":false},{"id":64619,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2421","catch_line":"When grant to issue to purchaser; reimbursable expenses","url":"\/55.1-2421\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2421","metadata":false},{"id":66352,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2422","catch_line":"Form of grant of escheated property","url":"\/55.1-2422\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2422","metadata":false},{"id":75826,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2423","catch_line":"Governor to sign and seal grant; Librarian of Virginia to record it; delivery to and by State Treasurer","url":"\/55.1-2423\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2423","metadata":false},{"id":72994,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2424","catch_line":"Recordation of certified copy of grant","url":"\/55.1-2424\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2424","metadata":false},{"id":63695,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2425","catch_line":"Resale in case of default","url":"\/55.1-2425\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2425","metadata":false},{"id":84685,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2426","catch_line":"Reports by escheators to State Treasurer","url":"\/55.1-2426\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2426","metadata":false},{"id":75386,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2427","catch_line":"Reports by State Treasurer to the Governor; penalty on escheators for failure of duty","url":"\/55.1-2427\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2427","metadata":false},{"id":81877,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2428","catch_line":"State Treasurer may examine records of any escheator, commissioner of the revenue, or treasurer","url":"\/55.1-2428\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2428","metadata":false},{"id":66825,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2429","catch_line":"When State Treasurer to issue grant to purchaser","url":"\/55.1-2429\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2429","metadata":false},{"id":65327,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2430","catch_line":"Escheator's pay","url":"\/55.1-2430\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2430","metadata":false},{"id":67261,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2431","catch_line":"Escheat of estates in trust and equitable titles","url":"\/55.1-2431\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2431","metadata":false},{"id":65255,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2432","catch_line":"Provision in favor of tenant of escheated land","url":"\/55.1-2432\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2432","metadata":false},{"id":70882,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2433","catch_line":"In favor of creditor of decedent","url":"\/55.1-2433\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2433","metadata":false},{"id":82338,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2434","catch_line":"Escheators to defend on behalf of Commonwealth","url":"\/55.1-2434\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2434","metadata":false},{"id":82750,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2435","catch_line":"Recovery by escheator of decedent's escheated residue and of property abandoned or derelict; fee","url":"\/55.1-2435\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2435","metadata":false},{"id":62613,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2436","catch_line":"Publication of action; what to state and require","url":"\/55.1-2436\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2436","metadata":false},{"id":54863,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2437","catch_line":"Order of the court","url":"\/55.1-2437\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2437","metadata":false},{"id":56856,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2438","catch_line":"How money paid into state treasury from escheats may be recovered","url":"\/55.1-2438\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2438","metadata":false},{"id":55519,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2439","catch_line":"Regulations of the State Treasurer","url":"\/55.1-2439\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2439","metadata":false},{"id":59192,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2440","catch_line":"Continuation of certain statutes","url":"\/55.1-2440\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2440","metadata":false},{"id":68978,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2441","catch_line":"Pendency of escheat proceedings no bar to condemnation proceedings","url":"\/55.1-2441\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2441","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":56710,"structure_id":13845,"section_number":"55.1-2401","catch_line":"Appointment of escheators","url":"\/55.1-2401\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2401","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-2400\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1984. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 315 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. Unfortunately, the 1984 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. 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 1988, chapter 312; in 1996, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0551\">551<\/a>; in 2019, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?191+ful+CHAP0712\">712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61092,"section_number":"55.1-702","catch_line":"Exemptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-702\/"},{"id":63124,"section_number":"64.2-200","catch_line":"Course of descents generally; right of Commonwealth if no other heir","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-200\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":247775,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76052,"identifier":"55.1-2400","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2400","url":"\/55.1-2400\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-2400\/","token":"55.1\/V\/24\/55.1-2400","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definition","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-2400","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>As used in this chapter, &#8220;known&#8221; in terms of determining whether an owner is &#8220;known&#8221; includes inspection of tax records and any other inquiry deemed to be reasonable. It need not include inspection of the premises or inspection of title records in the clerk&#8217;s office in the county or city in which the land is located.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITION (\u00a7 55.1-2400)\n\nAs used in this chapter, &#8220;known&#8221; in terms of determining whether an\nowner is &#8220;known&#8221; includes inspection of tax records and any other\ninquiry deemed to be reasonable. It need not include inspection of the premises\nor inspection of title records in the clerk&#8217;s office in the county or city\nin which the land is located.\n\nHISTORY: 1984, c. 315, \u00a7 55-170.1; 1988, c. 312; 1996, c. 551; 2019, 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}}