{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-389.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-389.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-389.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-389.html"}],"law_id":56287,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56287,"structure_id":14678,"section_number":"8.01-389","catch_line":"Judicial records as evidence; full faith and credit; recitals in deeds, deeds of trust, and mortgages; “records” defined; certification","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 8-271, 8-275, 8-276, 8-276.1; 1977, c. 617; 1980, c. 453; 1995, c. 594; 1996, c. 417; 2008, c. 786; 2010, cc. 778, 825; 2013, c. 263.","full_text":"A\n\nThe records of any judicial proceeding and any other official records of any court of this Commonwealth shall be received as prima facie evidence provided that such records are certified by the clerk of the court where preserved to be a true record. For the purposes of this section, judicial proceeding shall include the review of a petition and issuance of a temporary detention order under § 16.1-340.1 or 37.2-809.A1\n\nThe records of any judicial proceeding and any other official record of any court of another state or country, or of the United States, shall be received as prima facie evidence provided that such records are certified by the clerk of the court where preserved to be a true record.B\n\nEvery court of this Commonwealth shall give such records of courts not of this Commonwealth the full faith and credit given to them in the courts of the jurisdiction from whence they come.B1\n\nIn any instance in which a court not of this Commonwealth shall have entered an order of injunction limiting or preventing access by any person to the courts of this Commonwealth without that person having had notice and an opportunity for a hearing prior to the entry of such foreign order, that foreign order is not required to be given full faith and credit in any Virginia court. The Virginia court may, in its discretion, hold a hearing to determine the adequacy of notice and opportunity for hearing in the foreign court.C\n\nSpecifically, recitals of any fact in a deed or deed of trust of record conveying any interest in real property shall be prima facie evidence of that fact.D\n\n“Records” as used in this article, shall be deemed to include any memorandum, report, paper, data compilation, or other record in any form, or any combination thereof.E\n\nThe use of the term “copy teste,” “true copy,” or “certified copy” or a substantially similar term on a certification affixed or annexed to a copy of an official record maintained by a clerk of court that bears the signature of the clerk or any deputy clerk, and that has the name of the court where such record is preserved on the document or on the certification, shall be prima facie proof that such record is certified by such clerk to be a true copy of the official record kept in the office of the clerk. Nothing herein shall be construed to require or prevent a clerk from using an official seal or prevent a clerk from using any other acceptable method of certification for a court record.F\n\nThe certification of any record pursuant to this section shall automatically authenticate such record for the purpose of its admission into evidence in any trial, hearing, or proceeding.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":206150,"text":"The records of any judicial proceeding and any other official records of any court of this Commonwealth shall be received as prima facie evidence provided that such records are certified by the clerk of the court where preserved to be a true record. For the purposes of this section, judicial proceeding shall include the review of a petition and issuance of a temporary detention order under § 16.1-340.1 or 37.2-809.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":206151,"text":"The records of any judicial proceeding and any other official record of any court of another state or country, or of the United States, shall be received as prima facie evidence provided that such records are certified by the clerk of the court where preserved to be a true record.","type":"section","prefixes":["A1"],"prefix":"A1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B"},"2":{"id":206152,"text":"Every court of this Commonwealth shall give such records of courts not of this Commonwealth the full faith and credit given to them in the courts of the jurisdiction from whence they come.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"B1"},"3":{"id":206153,"text":"In any instance in which a court not of this Commonwealth shall have entered an order of injunction limiting or preventing access by any person to the courts of this Commonwealth without that person having had notice and an opportunity for a hearing prior to the entry of such foreign order, that foreign order is not required to be given full faith and credit in any Virginia court. The Virginia court may, in its discretion, hold a hearing to determine the adequacy of notice and opportunity for hearing in the foreign court.","type":"section","prefixes":["B1"],"prefix":"B1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":206154,"text":"Specifically, recitals of any fact in a deed or deed of trust of record conveying any interest in real property shall be prima facie evidence of that fact.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":206155,"text":"“Records” as used in this article, shall be deemed to include any memorandum, report, paper, data compilation, or other record in any form, or any combination thereof.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":206156,"text":"The use of the term “copy teste,” “true copy,” or “certified copy” or a substantially similar term on a certification affixed or annexed to a copy of an official record maintained by a clerk of court that bears the signature of the clerk or any deputy clerk, and that has the name of the court where such record is preserved on the document or on the certification, shall be prima facie proof that such record is certified by such clerk to be a true copy of the official record kept in the office of the clerk. Nothing herein shall be construed to require or prevent a clerk from using an official seal or prevent a clerk from using any other acceptable method of certification for a court record.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"7":{"id":206157,"text":"The certification of any record pursuant to this section shall automatically authenticate such record for the purpose of its admission into evidence in any trial, hearing, or proceeding.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14678,"edition_id":1,"name":"Laws, Public Records, and Copies of Original Records as Evidence","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12870,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:16","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:16","permalink":{"id":277377,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14678,"identifier":"2","token":"8.01\/14\/2","url":"\/8.01\/14\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12870,"edition_id":1,"name":"Evidence","identifier":"14","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:57","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:57","permalink":{"id":277357,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12870,"identifier":"14","token":"8.01\/14","url":"\/8.01\/14\/","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":56287,"structure_id":14678,"section_number":"8.01-389","catch_line":"Judicial records as evidence; full faith and credit; recitals in deeds, deeds of trust, and mortgages; \"records\" defined; certification","url":"\/8.01-389\/","token":"8.01\/14\/2\/8.01-389","metadata":false},{"id":61867,"structure_id":14678,"section_number":"8.01-390","catch_line":"Nonjudicial records as evidence (Subdivision (10)(a) of Supreme Court Rule 2:803 derived from subsection C of this section)","url":"\/8.01-390\/","token":"8.01\/14\/2\/8.01-390","metadata":false},{"id":66355,"structure_id":14678,"section_number":"8.01-390.1","catch_line":"School records as evidence","url":"\/8.01-390.1\/","token":"8.01\/14\/2\/8.01-390.1","metadata":false},{"id":60205,"structure_id":14678,"section_number":"8.01-390.2","catch_line":"Reports by Chief Medical Examiner received as evidence","url":"\/8.01-390.2\/","token":"8.01\/14\/2\/8.01-390.2","metadata":false},{"id":81283,"structure_id":14678,"section_number":"8.01-390.3","catch_line":"Business records as evidence (Subdivision (6) of Supreme Court Rule 2:902 derived in part from this section)","url":"\/8.01-390.3\/","token":"8.01\/14\/2\/8.01-390.3","metadata":false},{"id":71662,"structure_id":14678,"section_number":"8.01-391","catch_line":"Copies of originals as evidence (Subdivision (6) of Supreme Court Rule 2:902 derived in part from subsection D of this section and Supreme Court Rule 2:1005 derived from this section)","url":"\/8.01-391\/","token":"8.01\/14\/2\/8.01-391","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":61867,"structure_id":14678,"section_number":"8.01-390","catch_line":"Nonjudicial records as evidence (Subdivision (10)(a) of Supreme Court Rule 2:803 derived from subsection C of this section)","url":"\/8.01-390\/","token":"8.01\/14\/2\/8.01-390","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-389\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 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 1980, chapter 453; in 1995, chapter 594<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 417<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 786<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 778<\/a> and 825<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 263<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85606,"section_number":"17.1-123","catch_line":"How orders are recorded and signed","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-123\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":68740,"section_number":"16.1-340.1","catch_line":"Involuntary temporary detention; issuance and execution of order","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-340.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":277379,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56287,"identifier":"8.01-389","token":"8.01\/14\/2\/8.01-389","url":"\/8.01-389\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-389\/","token":"8.01\/14\/2\/8.01-389","dublin_core":{"Title":"Judicial records as evidence; full faith and credit; recitals in deeds, deeds of trust, and mortgages; “records” defined; certification","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-389","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The records of any judicial proceeding and any other official records of any court<\/span> of this Commonwealth shall be received as prima facie evidence<\/span> provided that such records are certified by the clerk of the court<\/span> where preserved to be a true record. For the purposes of this section, judicial proceeding shall include the review of a petition<\/span> and issuance of a temporary detention order<\/span> under § 16.1-340.1<\/a> or 37.2-809<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A1.<\/span> The records of any judicial proceeding and any other official record of any court<\/span> of another state or country, or of the United States, shall be received as prima facie evidence<\/span> provided that such records are certified by the clerk of the court<\/span> where preserved to be a true record. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Every court<\/span> of this Commonwealth shall give such records of courts<\/span> not of this Commonwealth the full faith and credit given to them in the courts<\/span> of the jurisdiction<\/span> from whence they come. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B1.<\/span> In any instance in which a court<\/span> not of this Commonwealth shall have entered an order<\/span> of injunction<\/span> limiting or preventing access by any person<\/span> to the courts<\/span> of this Commonwealth without that person<\/span> having had notice and an opportunity for a hearing<\/span> prior to the entry of such foreign order<\/span>, that foreign order<\/span> is not required to be given full faith and credit in any Virginia court<\/span>. The Virginia court<\/span> may, in its discretion, hold a hearing<\/span> to determine the adequacy of notice and opportunity for hearing<\/span> in the foreign court<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Specifically, recitals of any fact<\/span> in a deed or deed of trust of record conveying any interest in real property shall be prima facie evidence<\/span> of that fact<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> “Records” as used in this article, shall be deemed to include any memorandum<\/span>, report, paper, data compilation, or other record in any form, or any combination thereof. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The use of the term “copy teste,” “true copy,” or “certified copy<\/span>” or a substantially similar term on a certification affixed or annexed to a copy of an official record maintained by a clerk of court<\/span> that bears the signature of the clerk or any deputy clerk, and that has the name of the court where such record is preserved on the document or on the certification, shall be prima facie proof<\/span> that such record is certified by such clerk to be a true copy of the official record kept in the office of the clerk. Nothing herein shall be construed to require or prevent a clerk from using an official seal or prevent a clerk from using any other acceptable method of certification for a court record. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The certification of any record pursuant to this section shall automatically authenticate such record for the purpose of its admission into evidence<\/span> in any trial<\/span>, hearing<\/span>, or proceeding. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nJUDICIAL RECORDS AS EVIDENCE; FULL FAITH AND CREDIT; RECITALS IN DEEDS, DEEDS OF\nTRUST, AND MORTGAGES; “RECORDS” DEFINED; CERTIFICATION (\u00a7 8.01-389)\n\nA. The records of any judicial proceeding and any other official records of any\ncourt of this Commonwealth shall be received as prima facie evidence provided\nthat such records are certified by the clerk of the court where preserved to be\na true record. For the purposes of this section, judicial proceeding shall\ninclude the review of a petition and issuance of a temporary detention order\nunder § 16.1-340.1 or 37.2-809.\n\nA1. The records of any judicial proceeding and any other official record of any\ncourt of another state or country, or of the United States, shall be received as\nprima facie evidence provided that such records are certified by the clerk of\nthe court where preserved to be a true record.\n\nB. Every court of this Commonwealth shall give such records of courts not of\nthis Commonwealth the full faith and credit given to them in the courts of the\njurisdiction from whence they come.\n\nB1. In any instance in which a court not of this Commonwealth shall have entered\nan order of injunction limiting or preventing access by any person to the courts\nof this Commonwealth without that person having had notice and an opportunity\nfor a hearing prior to the entry of such foreign order, that foreign order is\nnot required to be given full faith and credit in any Virginia court. The\nVirginia court may, in its discretion, hold a hearing to determine the adequacy\nof notice and opportunity for hearing in the foreign court.\n\nC. Specifically, recitals of any fact in a deed or deed of trust of record\nconveying any interest in real property shall be prima facie evidence of that\nfact.\n\nD. “Records” as used in this article, shall be deemed to include any\nmemorandum, report, paper, data compilation, or other record in any form, or any\ncombination thereof.\n\nE. The use of the term “copy teste,” “true copy,” or\n“certified copy” or a substantially similar term on a certification\naffixed or annexed to a copy of an official record maintained by a clerk of\ncourt that bears the signature of the clerk or any deputy clerk, and that has\nthe name of the court where such record is preserved on the document or on the\ncertification, shall be prima facie proof that such record is certified by such\nclerk to be a true copy of the official record kept in the office of the clerk.\nNothing herein shall be construed to require or prevent a clerk from using an\nofficial seal or prevent a clerk from using any other acceptable method of\ncertification for a court record.\n\nF. The certification of any record pursuant to this section shall automatically\nauthenticate such record for the purpose of its admission into evidence in any\ntrial, hearing, or proceeding.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 8-271, 8-275, 8-276, 8-276.1; 1977, c. 617; 1980, c.\n453; 1995, c. 594; 1996, c. 417; 2008, c. 786; 2010, cc. 778, 825; 2013, c. 263.","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}}