{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-326.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-326.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-326.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-326.html"}],"law_id":58455,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58455,"structure_id":13354,"section_number":"8.01-326","catch_line":"Return as proof of service","history":"1977, c. 627.","full_text":"No return shall be conclusive proof as to service of process. The return of a sheriff shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated, and the return of a qualified individual under subdivision 2 of \u00a7 8.01-293 shall be evidence of the facts stated therein.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":214235,"text":"No return shall be conclusive proof as to service of process. The return of a sheriff shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated, and the return of a qualified individual under subdivision 2 of \u00a7 8.01-293 shall be evidence of the facts stated therein.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-326\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 627 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 1977 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":72321,"section_number":"8.01-293","catch_line":"Authorization to serve process, capias or show cause order; execute writ of possession or eviction and levy upon property","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-293\/"}],"permalink":{"id":281655,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58455,"identifier":"8.01-326","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-326","url":"\/8.01-326\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-326\/","token":"8.01\/8\/4\/8.01-326","dublin_core":{"Title":"Return as proof of service","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-326","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>No return shall be conclusive proof as to <span class=\"dictionary\">service of process<\/span>. The return of a <span class=\"dictionary\">sheriff<\/span> shall be prima facie <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">facts<\/span> therein stated, and the return of a qualified individual under subdivision 2 of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Authorization to serve process, capias or show cause order; execute writ of possession or eviction and levy upon property\" href=\"\/8.01-293\/\">8.01-293<\/a> shall be <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">facts<\/span> stated therein.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRETURN AS PROOF OF SERVICE (\u00a7 8.01-326)\n\nNo return shall be conclusive proof as to service of process. The return of a\nsheriff shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated, and the\nreturn of a qualified individual under subdivision 2 of \u00a7 8.01-293 shall be\nevidence of the facts stated therein.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 627.","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}}