{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/59.1-496.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/59.1-496.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/59.1-496.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/59.1-496.html"}],"law_id":81914,"edition_id":1,"section_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","history":"2000, c. 995.","full_text":"a\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in subsection (f) of § 59.1-490, and upon providing protection to preserve security and confidentiality, public bodies of the Commonwealth may (i) accept the electronic filing of any information required or permitted to be filed with such public body and (ii) prescribe the methods of executing, recording, reproducing, and certifying electronically filed information pursuant to subsection (b). Unless otherwise provided for in the Code of Virginia, electronic filing in the courts of this Commonwealth shall be governed by the Rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Virginia.b\n\nTo the extent that public bodies of the Commonwealth use electronic records and electronic signatures and accept electronic filings under subsection (a), the following rules apply:1\n\nPublic bodies of the Commonwealth may specify the manner and format in which the electronic records must be created, generated, sent, communicated, received, and stored and the systems established for those purposes;2\n\nPublic bodies of the Commonwealth may specify the type of electronic signature required, the manner and format in which the electronic signature must be affixed to the electronic record, and the identity of, or criteria that must be met by, any third party used by a person filing a document to facilitate the process;3\n\nPublic bodies of the Commonwealth may specify control processes and procedures as appropriate to ensure adequate preservation, disposition, integrity, security, confidentiality, and auditability of electronic records; and4\n\nPublic bodies of the Commonwealth may establish other criteria to ensure the authenticity and validity of electronic signatures.c\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in § 59.1-490 (f), this chapter does not require public bodies of the Commonwealth to use or permit the use of electronic records or signatures.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":293480,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in subsection (f) of § 59.1-490, and upon providing protection to preserve security and confidentiality, public bodies of the Commonwealth may (i) accept the electronic filing of any information required or permitted to be filed with such public body and (ii) prescribe the methods of executing, recording, reproducing, and certifying electronically filed information pursuant to subsection (b). Unless otherwise provided for in the Code of Virginia, electronic filing in the courts of this Commonwealth shall be governed by the Rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"next_prefix":"b"},"1":{"id":293481,"text":"To the extent that public bodies of the Commonwealth use electronic records and electronic signatures and accept electronic filings under subsection (a), the following rules apply:","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a","next_prefix":"b1"},"2":{"id":293482,"text":"Public bodies of the Commonwealth may specify the manner and format in which the electronic records must be created, generated, sent, communicated, received, and stored and the systems established for those purposes;","type":"section","prefixes":["b","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"b1","prefix_anchor":"b1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"b","next_prefix":"b2"},"3":{"id":293483,"text":"Public bodies of the Commonwealth may specify the type of electronic signature required, the manner and format in which the electronic signature must be affixed to the electronic record, and the identity of, or criteria that must be met by, any third party used by a person filing a document to facilitate the process;","type":"section","prefixes":["b","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"b2","prefix_anchor":"b2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"b1","next_prefix":"b3"},"4":{"id":293484,"text":"Public bodies of the Commonwealth may specify control processes and procedures as appropriate to ensure adequate preservation, disposition, integrity, security, confidentiality, and auditability of electronic records; and","type":"section","prefixes":["b","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"b3","prefix_anchor":"b3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"b2","next_prefix":"b4"},"5":{"id":293485,"text":"Public bodies of the Commonwealth may establish other criteria to ensure the authenticity and validity of electronic signatures.","type":"section","prefixes":["b","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"b4","prefix_anchor":"b4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"b3","next_prefix":"c"},"6":{"id":293486,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in § 59.1-490 (f), this chapter does not require public bodies of the Commonwealth to use or permit the use of electronic records or signatures.","type":"section","prefixes":["c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"c","prefix_anchor":"c","level":1,"prior_prefix":"b4"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/59.1-496\/","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":64425,"section_number":"13.1-1003","catch_line":"Filing requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1003\/"},{"id":64046,"section_number":"2.2-1606","catch_line":"Powers of Director","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1606\/"},{"id":58329,"section_number":"2.2-1617","catch_line":"One-stop small business permitting program","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1617\/"},{"id":74929,"section_number":"58.1-9","catch_line":"Filing of tax returns or payment of taxes by mail or otherwise; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-9\/"},{"id":85254,"section_number":"59.1-497","catch_line":"Interoperability","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-497\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":71153,"section_number":"59.1-490","catch_line":"Retention of electronic record","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-490\/"}],"permalink":{"id":261873,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81914,"identifier":"59.1-496","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-496","url":"\/59.1-496\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/59.1-496\/","token":"59.1\/42.1\/59.1-496","dublin_core":{"Title":"Acceptance and distribution of electronic records by public bodies; electronic filing of information permitted","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 59.1-496","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

a.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in subsection (f) of § 59.1-490<\/a>, and upon providing protection to preserve security and confidentiality, public bodies of the Commonwealth may (i) accept the electronic<\/span> filing of any information<\/span> required or permitted to be filed with such public body and (ii) prescribe the methods of executing, recording, reproducing, and certifying electronically filed information<\/span> pursuant to subsection (b). Unless otherwise provided for in the Code of Virginia, electronic<\/span> filing in the courts<\/span> of this Commonwealth shall be governed by the Rules adopted by the Supreme Court<\/span> of Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

b.<\/span> To the extent that public bodies of the Commonwealth use electronic records<\/span> and electronic signatures<\/span> and accept electronic filings under subsection (a), the following rules apply: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Public bodies of the Commonwealth may specify the manner and format in which the electronic records<\/span> must be created, generated, sent, communicated, received, and stored and the systems established for those purposes; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Public bodies of the Commonwealth may specify the type of electronic signature<\/span> required, the manner and format in which the electronic signature<\/span> must be affixed to the electronic record<\/span>, and the identity of, or criteria that must be met by, any third party<\/span> used by a person<\/span> filing a document to facilitate the process; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Public bodies of the Commonwealth may specify control processes and procedures as appropriate to ensure adequate preservation, disposition<\/span>, integrity, security, confidentiality, and auditability of electronic records<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Public bodies of the Commonwealth may establish other criteria to ensure the authenticity and validity of electronic signatures<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

c.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in § 59.1-490<\/a> (f), this chapter does not require public bodies of the Commonwealth to use or permit the use of electronic records<\/span> or signatures. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nACCEPTANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRONIC RECORDS BY PUBLIC BODIES; ELECTRONIC\nFILING OF INFORMATION PERMITTED (\u00a7 59.1-496)\n\na. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (f) of § 59.1-490, and upon\nproviding protection to preserve security and confidentiality, public bodies of\nthe Commonwealth may (i) accept the electronic filing of any information\nrequired or permitted to be filed with such public body and (ii) prescribe the\nmethods of executing, recording, reproducing, and certifying electronically\nfiled information pursuant to subsection (b). Unless otherwise provided for in\nthe Code of Virginia, electronic filing in the courts of this Commonwealth shall\nbe governed by the Rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Virginia.\n\nb. To the extent that public bodies of the Commonwealth use electronic records\nand electronic signatures and accept electronic filings under subsection (a),\nthe following rules apply:\n\n 1. Public bodies of the Commonwealth may specify the manner and format in\n which the electronic records must be created, generated, sent, communicated,\n received, and stored and the systems established for those purposes;\n\n 2. Public bodies of the Commonwealth may specify the type of electronic\n signature required, the manner and format in which the electronic signature\n must be affixed to the electronic record, and the identity of, or criteria\n that must be met by, any third party used by a person filing a document to\n facilitate the process;\n\n 3. Public bodies of the Commonwealth may specify control processes and\n procedures as appropriate to ensure adequate preservation, disposition,\n integrity, security, confidentiality, and auditability of electronic records;\n and\n\n 4. Public bodies of the Commonwealth may establish other criteria to ensure\n the authenticity and validity of electronic signatures.\n\nc. Except as otherwise provided in § 59.1-490 (f), this chapter does not\nrequire public bodies of the Commonwealth to use or permit the use of electronic\nrecords or signatures.\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}}