{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-301.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-301.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-301.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-301.html"}],"law_id":80689,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80689,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-301","catch_line":"How process served on foreign stock or nonstock corporations and foreign limited liability companies generally","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 8-60; 1977, c. 617; 1991, c. 672; 2005, c. 866; 2013, c. 113; 2024, c. 454; 2025, c. 345.","full_text":"Subject to \u00a7 8.01-286.1, service of process on a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or a foreign limited liability company may be effected in the following manner:\n\n1\n\nBy personal service on any officer or director or the registered agent of a foreign stock or nonstock corporation that is authorized to do business in the Commonwealth, by personal service on any agent of any such foreign corporation transacting business in the Commonwealth without such authorization, wherever any such officer, director, or agents be found within the Commonwealth, and by personal service on the registered agent of a foreign limited liability company that is registered to do business in the Commonwealth;2\n\nBy substituted service on (i) a foreign stock or nonstock corporation in accordance with §§ 13.1-766 and 13.1-928, respectively, and on a foreign limited liability company in accordance with § 13.1-1018, if any such corporation or limited liability company is authorized or registered to transact business or affairs within the Commonwealth, and (ii) a foreign stock or nonstock corporation in accordance with subsection F of § 13.1-758 and subsection E of § 13.1-920, respectively, and on a foreign limited liability company in accordance with subsection E of § 13.1-1057, if any such corporation or limited liability company is not authorized or registered to transact business within the Commonwealth;3\n\nBy substituted service on a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited liability company in accordance with § 8.01-329, or by service in accordance with § 8.01-320, where jurisdiction is authorized under § 8.01-328.1, regardless of whether any such foreign corporation or foreign limited liability company is authorized or registered to transact business within the Commonwealth; or4\n\nBy order of publication in accordance with §§ 8.01-316 and 8.01-317 where jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem is authorized, regardless of whether the foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited liability company so served is authorized or registered to transact business within the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThis section does not prescribe the only means, or necessarily the required means, of serving a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited liability company.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of responding to a subpoena served in the manner prescribed by this section, a foreign corporation transacting business in the Commonwealth that has a registered agent in the Commonwealth shall be deemed to have consented to service.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":289259,"text":"Subject to \u00a7 8.01-286.1, service of process on a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or a foreign limited liability company may be effected in the following manner:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":289260,"text":"By personal service on any officer or director or the registered agent of a foreign stock or nonstock corporation that is authorized to do business in the Commonwealth, by personal service on any agent of any such foreign corporation transacting business in the Commonwealth without such authorization, wherever any such officer, director, or agents be found within the Commonwealth, and by personal service on the registered agent of a foreign limited liability company that is registered to do business in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":289261,"text":"By substituted service on (i) a foreign stock or nonstock corporation in accordance with §§ 13.1-766 and 13.1-928, respectively, and on a foreign limited liability company in accordance with § 13.1-1018, if any such corporation or limited liability company is authorized or registered to transact business or affairs within the Commonwealth, and (ii) a foreign stock or nonstock corporation in accordance with subsection F of § 13.1-758 and subsection E of § 13.1-920, respectively, and on a foreign limited liability company in accordance with subsection E of § 13.1-1057, if any such corporation or limited liability company is not authorized or registered to transact business within the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":289262,"text":"By substituted service on a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited liability company in accordance with § 8.01-329, or by service in accordance with § 8.01-320, where jurisdiction is authorized under § 8.01-328.1, regardless of whether any such foreign corporation or foreign limited liability company is authorized or registered to transact business within the Commonwealth; or","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":289263,"text":"By order of publication in accordance with §§ 8.01-316 and 8.01-317 where jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem is authorized, regardless of whether the foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited liability company so served is authorized or registered to transact business within the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThis section does not prescribe the only means, or necessarily the required means, of serving a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited liability company.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of responding to a subpoena served in the manner prescribed by this section, a foreign corporation transacting business in the Commonwealth that has a registered agent in the Commonwealth shall be deemed to have consented to service.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13354,"edition_id":1,"name":"Who to Be Served","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13353,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":281529,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13354,"identifier":"4","token":"8.01\/8\/4","url":"\/8.01\/8\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13353,"edition_id":1,"name":"Process","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":281473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13353,"identifier":"8","token":"8.01\/8","url":"\/8.01\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12747,"edition_id":1,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","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":277029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12747,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57169,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-296","catch_line":"Manner of serving process upon natural persons","url":"\/8.01-296\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-296","metadata":false},{"id":84916,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-297","catch_line":"Process on convict defendant","url":"\/8.01-297\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-297","metadata":false},{"id":74903,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-298","catch_line":"How summons for witness or juror served","url":"\/8.01-298\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-298","metadata":false},{"id":76632,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-299","catch_line":"How process served on domestic stock corporations, nonstock corporations, and limited liability companies generally","url":"\/8.01-299\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-299","metadata":false},{"id":62573,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-300","catch_line":"How process served on municipal and county governments and on quasi-governmental entities","url":"\/8.01-300\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-300","metadata":false},{"id":80689,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-301","catch_line":"How process served on foreign stock or nonstock corporations and foreign limited liability companies generally","url":"\/8.01-301\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-301","metadata":false},{"id":57428,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-302","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/8.01-302\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-302","metadata":false},{"id":60079,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-303","catch_line":"On whom process served when corporation operated by trustee or receiver","url":"\/8.01-303\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-303","metadata":false},{"id":74972,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-304","catch_line":"How process served on copartner or partnership, domestic or foreign limited liability partnership, and domestic or foreign limited partnership","url":"\/8.01-304\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-304","metadata":false},{"id":57093,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-304.1","catch_line":"How process served on a business trust","url":"\/8.01-304.1\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-304.1","metadata":false},{"id":86653,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-305","catch_line":"Process against unincorporated associations or orders, or unincorporated common carriers","url":"\/8.01-305\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-305","metadata":false},{"id":54446,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-306","catch_line":"Process against unincorporated associations or orders, or unincorporated common carriers; principal office outside Virginia and business transactions in Virginia","url":"\/8.01-306\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-306","metadata":false},{"id":71881,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-307","catch_line":"Definition of terms \"motor vehicle\" and \"nonresident\" in motor vehicle and aircraft accident cases","url":"\/8.01-307\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-307","metadata":false},{"id":61678,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-308","catch_line":"Service on Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles as agent for nonresident motor vehicle operator","url":"\/8.01-308\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-308","metadata":false},{"id":61128,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-309","catch_line":"Service on Secretary of Commonwealth as agent of nonresident operator or owner of aircraft","url":"\/8.01-309\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-309","metadata":false},{"id":84659,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-310","catch_line":"How service made on Commissioner, Secretary, and Clerk; appointment binding","url":"\/8.01-310\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-310","metadata":false},{"id":80670,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-311","catch_line":"Continuance of action where service made on Commissioner, Secretary, and Clerk","url":"\/8.01-311\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-311","metadata":false},{"id":67145,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-312","catch_line":"Effect of service on statutory agent; duties of such agent; time for responding to process","url":"\/8.01-312\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-312","metadata":false},{"id":81995,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-313","catch_line":"Specific addresses for mailing by statutory agent and resident agent","url":"\/8.01-313\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-313","metadata":false},{"id":85430,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-314","catch_line":"Service on attorney after entry of general appearance by such attorney","url":"\/8.01-314\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-314","metadata":false},{"id":83124,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-315","catch_line":"Notice to be mailed defendant when service accepted by another","url":"\/8.01-315\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-315","metadata":false},{"id":66717,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-316","catch_line":"Service by publication; when available","url":"\/8.01-316\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-316","metadata":false},{"id":58190,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-317","catch_line":"What order of publication to state; how published; when publication in newspaper dispensed with; electronic notice","url":"\/8.01-317\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-317","metadata":false},{"id":54333,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-318","catch_line":"Within what time after publication case tried or heard; no subsequent publication required","url":"\/8.01-318\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-318","metadata":false},{"id":56410,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-319","catch_line":"Publication of interim notice","url":"\/8.01-319\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-319","metadata":false},{"id":76043,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-320","catch_line":"Personal service outside of Virginia","url":"\/8.01-320\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-320","metadata":false},{"id":61509,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-321","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/8.01-321\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-321","metadata":false},{"id":54367,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-322","catch_line":"Within what time case reheard on petition of party served by publication, and any injustice corrected","url":"\/8.01-322\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-322","metadata":false},{"id":61401,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-323","catch_line":"In what counties city newspapers deemed published for purpose of legal advertisements","url":"\/8.01-323\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-323","metadata":false},{"id":62668,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-324","catch_line":"Newspapers that may be used for legal notices and publications","url":"\/8.01-324\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-324","metadata":false},{"id":86831,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-325","catch_line":"Return by person serving process","url":"\/8.01-325\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-325","metadata":false},{"id":58455,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-326","catch_line":"Return as proof of service","url":"\/8.01-326\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-326","metadata":false},{"id":57208,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-326.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/8.01-326.1\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-326.1","metadata":false},{"id":83256,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-327","catch_line":"Acceptance of service of process","url":"\/8.01-327\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-327","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62573,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-300","catch_line":"How process served on municipal and county governments and on quasi-governmental entities","url":"\/8.01-300\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-300","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":57428,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-302","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/8.01-302\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-302","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-301\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 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 1977, chapter 617; in 1991, chapter 672; in 2005, chapter 866<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 113<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 454<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 345<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76435,"section_number":"19.2-238","catch_line":"Summons against corporation; proceedings; expense of publication","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-238\/"},{"id":65160,"section_number":"19.2-386.3","catch_line":"Notice of seizure for forfeiture and notice of motion for judgment","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-386.3\/"},{"id":82871,"section_number":"8.01-286.1","catch_line":"Service of process; waiver, duty to save costs, request to waive, how served","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-286.1\/"},{"id":86882,"section_number":"8.01-424.1","catch_line":"Settlement of third-party action; deemed consent by employer","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-424.1\/"},{"id":71819,"section_number":"8.01-513","catch_line":"Service upon corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or financial institution","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-513\/"},{"id":65526,"section_number":"8.01-550","catch_line":"How attachment levied","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-550\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":65877,"section_number":"13.1-1018","catch_line":"Service on limited liability company","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1018\/"},{"id":82434,"section_number":"13.1-1057","catch_line":"Transaction of business without registration","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1057\/"},{"id":60493,"section_number":"13.1-758","catch_line":"Consequences of transacting business without authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-758\/"},{"id":77560,"section_number":"13.1-766","catch_line":"Service of process on foreign corporation","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-766\/"},{"id":72522,"section_number":"13.1-920","catch_line":"Consequences of transacting business without authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-920\/"},{"id":84182,"section_number":"13.1-928","catch_line":"Service of process on foreign corporation","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-928\/"},{"id":82871,"section_number":"8.01-286.1","catch_line":"Service of process; waiver, duty to save costs, request to waive, how served","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-286.1\/"},{"id":66717,"section_number":"8.01-316","catch_line":"Service by publication; when available","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-316\/"},{"id":58190,"section_number":"8.01-317","catch_line":"What order of publication to state; how published; when publication in newspaper dispensed with; electronic notice","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-317\/"},{"id":76043,"section_number":"8.01-320","catch_line":"Personal service outside of Virginia","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-320\/"},{"id":58110,"section_number":"8.01-328.1","catch_line":"When personal jurisdiction over person may be exercised","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-328.1\/"},{"id":64837,"section_number":"8.01-329","catch_line":"Service of process or notice; service on Secretary of Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-329\/"}],"permalink":{"id":281551,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80689,"identifier":"8.01-301","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-301","url":"\/8.01-301\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-301\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-301","dublin_core":{"Title":"How process served on foreign stock or nonstock corporations and foreign limited liability companies generally","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-301","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Subject to \u00a7 8.01-286.1<\/a>, service of process<\/span> on a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or a foreign limited liability company may be effected in the following manner:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> By personal service on any officer or director or the registered agent of a foreign stock or nonstock corporation that is authorized to do business in the Commonwealth, by personal service on any agent of any such foreign corporation transacting business in the Commonwealth without such authorization, wherever any such officer, director, or agents be found within the Commonwealth, and by personal service on the registered agent of a foreign limited liability company that is registered to do business in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> By substituted service on (i) a foreign stock or nonstock corporation in accordance with §§ 13.1-766<\/a> and 13.1-928<\/a>, respectively, and on a foreign limited liability company in accordance with § 13.1-1018<\/a>, if any such corporation or limited liability company is authorized or registered to transact business or affairs within the Commonwealth, and (ii) a foreign stock or nonstock corporation in accordance with subsection F of § 13.1-758<\/a> and subsection E of § 13.1-920<\/a>, respectively, and on a foreign limited liability company in accordance with subsection E of § 13.1-1057<\/a>, if any such corporation or limited liability company is not authorized or registered to transact business within the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> By substituted service on a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited liability company in accordance with § 8.01-329<\/a>, or by service in accordance with § 8.01-320<\/a>, where jurisdiction<\/span> is authorized under § 8.01-328.1<\/a>, regardless of whether any such foreign corporation or foreign limited liability company is authorized or registered to transact business within the Commonwealth; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> By order<\/span> of publication in accordance with §§ 8.01-316<\/a> and 8.01-317<\/a> where jurisdiction<\/span> in rem or quasi in rem is authorized, regardless of whether the foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited liability company so served is authorized or registered to transact business within the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThis section does not prescribe the only means, or necessarily the required means, of serving a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited liability company.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of responding to a subpoena<\/span> served in the manner prescribed by this section, a foreign corporation transacting business in the Commonwealth that has a registered agent in the Commonwealth shall be deemed to have consented to service. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHOW PROCESS SERVED ON FOREIGN STOCK OR NONSTOCK CORPORATIONS AND FOREIGN LIMITED\nLIABILITY COMPANIES GENERALLY (\u00a7 8.01-301)\n\nSubject to \u00a7 8.01-286.1, service of process on a foreign stock or nonstock\ncorporation or a foreign limited liability company may be effected in the\nfollowing manner:\n\n1. By personal service on any officer or director or the registered agent of a\nforeign stock or nonstock corporation that is authorized to do business in the\nCommonwealth, by personal service on any agent of any such foreign corporation\ntransacting business in the Commonwealth without such authorization, wherever\nany such officer, director, or agents be found within the Commonwealth, and by\npersonal service on the registered agent of a foreign limited liability company\nthat is registered to do business in the Commonwealth;\n\n2. By substituted service on (i) a foreign stock or nonstock corporation in\naccordance with §§ 13.1-766 and 13.1-928, respectively, and on a\nforeign limited liability company in accordance with § 13.1-1018, if any\nsuch corporation or limited liability company is authorized or registered to\ntransact business or affairs within the Commonwealth, and (ii) a foreign stock\nor nonstock corporation in accordance with subsection F of § 13.1-758 and\nsubsection E of § 13.1-920, respectively, and on a foreign limited\nliability company in accordance with subsection E of § 13.1-1057, if any\nsuch corporation or limited liability company is not authorized or registered to\ntransact business within the Commonwealth;\n\n3. By substituted service on a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign\nlimited liability company in accordance with § 8.01-329, or by service in\naccordance with § 8.01-320, where jurisdiction is authorized under §\n8.01-328.1, regardless of whether any such foreign corporation or foreign\nlimited liability company is authorized or registered to transact business\nwithin the Commonwealth; or\n\n4. By order of publication in accordance with §§ 8.01-316 and 8.01-317\nwhere jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem is authorized, regardless of whether\nthe foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited liability company\nso served is authorized or registered to transact business within the\nCommonwealth.\n\t\t\tThis section does not prescribe the only means, or necessarily the required\nmeans, of serving a foreign stock or nonstock corporation or foreign limited\nliability company.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of responding to a subpoena served in the manner prescribed\nby this section, a foreign corporation transacting business in the Commonwealth\nthat has a registered agent in the Commonwealth shall be deemed to have\nconsented to service.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 8-60; 1977, c. 617; 1991, c. 672; 2005, c. 866; 2013, c.\n113; 2024, c. 454; 2025, c. 345.","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}}