{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/59.1-490.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/59.1-490.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/59.1-490.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/59.1-490.html"}],"law_id":71153,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71153,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-490","catch_line":"Retention of electronic record","history":"2000, c. 995.","full_text":"a\n\nIf a law requires that a record be retained, the requirement is satisfied by retaining an electronic record of the information in the record which:1\n\nAccurately reflects the information set forth in the record at the time and after it was first generated in its final form as an electronic record or otherwise; and2\n\nRemains accessible for later reference.b\n\nA requirement to retain a record in accordance with subsection (a) does not apply to any information the sole purpose of which is to enable the record to be sent, communicated, or received.c\n\nA person may satisfy subsection (a) by using the services of another person if the requirements of that subsection are satisfied.d\n\nIf a law requires a record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, that law is satisfied by an electronic record retained in accordance with subsection (a).e\n\nIf a law requires retention of a check, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an electronic record of the information on the front and back of the check in accordance with subsection (a).f\n\nA record retained as an electronic record in accordance with subsection A satisfies a law requiring a person to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes, unless a law enacted after the effective date of this chapter specifically prohibits the use of an electronic record for the specified purpose.g\n\nThis section does not preclude a public body of the Commonwealth from specifying additional requirements for the retention of a record subject to such public body’s jurisdiction.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":256507,"text":"If a law requires that a record be retained, the requirement is satisfied by retaining an electronic record of the information in the record which:","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"next_prefix":"a1"},"1":{"id":256508,"text":"Accurately reflects the information set forth in the record at the time and after it was first generated in its final form as an electronic record or otherwise; and","type":"section","prefixes":["a","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"a1","prefix_anchor":"a1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"a","next_prefix":"a2"},"2":{"id":256509,"text":"Remains accessible for later reference.","type":"section","prefixes":["a","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"a2","prefix_anchor":"a2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"a1","next_prefix":"b"},"3":{"id":256510,"text":"A requirement to retain a record in accordance with subsection (a) does not apply to any information the sole purpose of which is to enable the record to be sent, communicated, or received.","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a2","next_prefix":"c"},"4":{"id":256511,"text":"A person may satisfy subsection (a) by using the services of another person if the requirements of that subsection are satisfied.","type":"section","prefixes":["c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"c","prefix_anchor":"c","level":1,"prior_prefix":"b","next_prefix":"d"},"5":{"id":256512,"text":"If a law requires a record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, that law is satisfied by an electronic record retained in accordance with subsection (a).","type":"section","prefixes":["d"],"prefix":"d","entire_prefix":"d","prefix_anchor":"d","level":1,"prior_prefix":"c","next_prefix":"e"},"6":{"id":256513,"text":"If a law requires retention of a check, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an electronic record of the information on the front and back of the check in accordance with subsection (a).","type":"section","prefixes":["e"],"prefix":"e","entire_prefix":"e","prefix_anchor":"e","level":1,"prior_prefix":"d","next_prefix":"f"},"7":{"id":256514,"text":"A record retained as an electronic record in accordance with subsection A satisfies a law requiring a person to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes, unless a law enacted after the effective date of this chapter specifically prohibits the use of an electronic record for the specified purpose.","type":"section","prefixes":["f"],"prefix":"f","entire_prefix":"f","prefix_anchor":"f","level":1,"prior_prefix":"e","next_prefix":"g"},"8":{"id":256515,"text":"This section does not preclude a public body of the Commonwealth from specifying additional requirements for the retention of a record subject to such public body’s jurisdiction.","type":"section","prefixes":["g"],"prefix":"g","entire_prefix":"g","prefix_anchor":"g","level":1,"prior_prefix":"f"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13070,"edition_id":1,"name":"Uniform Electronic Transactions Act","identifier":"42.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12809,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:14","permalink":{"id":261803,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13070,"identifier":"42.1","token":"59.1\/42.1","url":"\/59.1\/42.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12809,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trade and Commerce","identifier":"59.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","permalink":{"id":259521,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12809,"identifier":"59.1","token":"59.1","url":"\/59.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":60668,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-479","catch_line":"Title","url":"\/59.1-479\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-479","metadata":false},{"id":69066,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-480","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/59.1-480\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-480","metadata":false},{"id":55598,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-481","catch_line":"Scope","url":"\/59.1-481\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-481","metadata":false},{"id":78087,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-482","catch_line":"Prospective application","url":"\/59.1-482\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-482","metadata":false},{"id":66518,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-483","catch_line":"Use of electronic records and electronic signatures; variation by agreement","url":"\/59.1-483\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-483","metadata":false},{"id":71849,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-484","catch_line":"Construction and application","url":"\/59.1-484\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-484","metadata":false},{"id":66728,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-485","catch_line":"Legal recognition of electronic records, electronic signatures, and electronic contracts","url":"\/59.1-485\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-485","metadata":false},{"id":64043,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-486","catch_line":"Provision of information in writing; presentation of records","url":"\/59.1-486\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-486","metadata":false},{"id":61402,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-487","catch_line":"Attribution and effect of electronic record and electronic signature","url":"\/59.1-487\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-487","metadata":false},{"id":79682,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-488","catch_line":"Effect of change or error","url":"\/59.1-488\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-488","metadata":false},{"id":62569,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-489","catch_line":"Notarization and acknowledgment","url":"\/59.1-489\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-489","metadata":false},{"id":71153,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-490","catch_line":"Retention of electronic record","url":"\/59.1-490\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-490","metadata":false},{"id":64820,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-491","catch_line":"Admissibility of evidence","url":"\/59.1-491\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-491","metadata":false},{"id":54123,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-492","catch_line":"Automated transactions","url":"\/59.1-492\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-492","metadata":false},{"id":67829,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-493","catch_line":"Time and place of sending and receipt","url":"\/59.1-493\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-493","metadata":false},{"id":71683,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-494","catch_line":"Transferable records","url":"\/59.1-494\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-494","metadata":false},{"id":64263,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-495","catch_line":"Creation and retention of electronic records and conversion of written records by public bodies of the Commonwealth","url":"\/59.1-495\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-495","metadata":false},{"id":81914,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-496","catch_line":"Acceptance and distribution of electronic records by public bodies; electronic filing of information permitted","url":"\/59.1-496\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-496","metadata":false},{"id":85254,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-497","catch_line":"Interoperability","url":"\/59.1-497\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-497","metadata":false},{"id":79229,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-498","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/59.1-498\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-498","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62569,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-489","catch_line":"Notarization and acknowledgment","url":"\/59.1-489\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-489","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":64820,"structure_id":13070,"section_number":"59.1-491","catch_line":"Admissibility of evidence","url":"\/59.1-491\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-491","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/59.1-490\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2000. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 995<\/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.<\/p>","references":[{"id":81914,"section_number":"59.1-496","catch_line":"Acceptance and distribution of electronic records by public bodies; electronic filing of information permitted","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-496\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":261849,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71153,"identifier":"59.1-490","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-490","url":"\/59.1-490\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/59.1-490\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-490","dublin_core":{"Title":"Retention of electronic record","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 59.1-490","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

a.<\/span> If a law<\/span> requires that a record be retained, the requirement is satisfied by retaining an electronic record<\/span> of the information<\/span> in the record which: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Accurately reflects the information<\/span> set forth in the record at the time and after it was first generated in its final form as an electronic record<\/span> or otherwise; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Remains accessible for later reference. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

b.<\/span> A requirement to retain a record in accordance with subsection (a) does not apply to any information<\/span> the sole purpose of which is to enable the record to be sent, communicated, or received. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

c.<\/span> A person<\/span> may satisfy subsection (a) by using the services of another person<\/span> if the requirements of that subsection are satisfied. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

d.<\/span> If a law<\/span> requires a record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, that law<\/span> is satisfied by an electronic record<\/span> retained in accordance with subsection (a). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

e.<\/span> If a law<\/span> requires retention of a check, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an electronic record<\/span> of the information<\/span> on the front and back of the check in accordance with subsection (a). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

f.<\/span> A record retained as an electronic record<\/span> in accordance with subsection A satisfies a law<\/span> requiring a person<\/span> to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes, unless a law<\/span> enacted after the effective date of this chapter specifically prohibits the use of an electronic record<\/span> for the specified purpose. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

g.<\/span> This section does not preclude a public body of the Commonwealth from specifying additional requirements for the retention of a record subject to such public body’s jurisdiction<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRETENTION OF ELECTRONIC RECORD (\u00a7 59.1-490)\n\na. If a law requires that a record be retained, the requirement is satisfied by\nretaining an electronic record of the information in the record which:\n\n 1. Accurately reflects the information set forth in the record at the time and\n after it was first generated in its final form as an electronic record or\n otherwise; and\n\n 2. Remains accessible for later reference.\n\nb. A requirement to retain a record in accordance with subsection (a) does not\napply to any information the sole purpose of which is to enable the record to be\nsent, communicated, or received.\n\nc. A person may satisfy subsection (a) by using the services of another person\nif the requirements of that subsection are satisfied.\n\nd. If a law requires a record to be presented or retained in its original form,\nor provides consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its\noriginal form, that law is satisfied by an electronic record retained in\naccordance with subsection (a).\n\ne. If a law requires retention of a check, that requirement is satisfied by\nretention of an electronic record of the information on the front and back of\nthe check in accordance with subsection (a).\n\nf. A record retained as an electronic record in accordance with subsection A\nsatisfies a law requiring a person to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or\nlike purposes, unless a law enacted after the effective date of this chapter\nspecifically prohibits the use of an electronic record for the specified\npurpose.\n\ng. This section does not preclude a public body of the Commonwealth from\nspecifying additional requirements for the retention of a record subject to such\npublic body’s jurisdiction.\n\nHISTORY: 2000, c. 995.","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}}