{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.3A-115.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.3A-115.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.3A-115.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.3A-115.html"}],"law_id":87003,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87003,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-115","catch_line":"Incomplete instrument","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 6-365 through 6-367; 1964, c. 219, \u00a7 8.3-115; 1992, c. 693.","full_text":"a\n\n“Incomplete instrument” means a signed writing, whether or not issued by the signer, the contents of which show at the time of signing that it is incomplete but that the signer intended it to be completed by the addition of words or numbers.b\n\nSubject to subsection (c), if an incomplete instrument is an instrument under § 8.3A-104, it may be enforced according to its terms if it is not completed, or according to its terms as augmented by completion. If an incomplete instrument is not an instrument under § 8.3A-104, but, after completion, the requirements of § 8.3A-104 are met, the instrument may be enforced according to its terms as augmented by completion.c\n\nIf words or numbers are added to an incomplete instrument without authority of the signer, there is an alteration of the incomplete instrument under § 8.3A-407.d\n\nThe burden of establishing that words or numbers were added to an incomplete instrument without authority of the signer is on the person asserting the lack of authority.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":311502,"text":"“Incomplete instrument” means a signed writing, whether or not issued by the signer, the contents of which show at the time of signing that it is incomplete but that the signer intended it to be completed by the addition of words or numbers.","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"next_prefix":"b"},"1":{"id":311503,"text":"Subject to subsection (c), if an incomplete instrument is an instrument under § 8.3A-104, it may be enforced according to its terms if it is not completed, or according to its terms as augmented by completion. If an incomplete instrument is not an instrument under § 8.3A-104, but, after completion, the requirements of § 8.3A-104 are met, the instrument may be enforced according to its terms as augmented by completion.","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a","next_prefix":"c"},"2":{"id":311504,"text":"If words or numbers are added to an incomplete instrument without authority of the signer, there is an alteration of the incomplete instrument under § 8.3A-407.","type":"section","prefixes":["c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"c","prefix_anchor":"c","level":1,"prior_prefix":"b","next_prefix":"d"},"3":{"id":311505,"text":"The burden of establishing that words or numbers were added to an incomplete instrument without authority of the signer is on the person asserting the lack of authority.","type":"section","prefixes":["d"],"prefix":"d","entire_prefix":"d","prefix_anchor":"d","level":1,"prior_prefix":"c"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13868,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions and Definitions","identifier":"1","label":"part","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13054,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:08","permalink":{"id":282707,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13868,"identifier":"1","token":"8.3A\/1","url":"\/8.3A\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13054,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commercial Code \u2014 Negotiable Instruments","identifier":"8.3A","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","permalink":{"id":282705,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13054,"identifier":"8.3A","token":"8.3A","url":"\/8.3A\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83834,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-101","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/8.3A-101\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-101","metadata":false},{"id":65615,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-102","catch_line":"Subject matter","url":"\/8.3A-102\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-102","metadata":false},{"id":77332,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-103","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/8.3A-103\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-103","metadata":false},{"id":82039,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-104","catch_line":"Negotiable instrument","url":"\/8.3A-104\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-104","metadata":false},{"id":71271,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-105","catch_line":"Issue of instrument","url":"\/8.3A-105\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-105","metadata":false},{"id":54896,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-106","catch_line":"Unconditional promise or order","url":"\/8.3A-106\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-106","metadata":false},{"id":58514,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-107","catch_line":"Instrument payable in foreign money","url":"\/8.3A-107\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-107","metadata":false},{"id":60401,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-108","catch_line":"Payable on demand or at definite time","url":"\/8.3A-108\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-108","metadata":false},{"id":76428,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-109","catch_line":"Payable to bearer or to order","url":"\/8.3A-109\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-109","metadata":false},{"id":79693,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-110","catch_line":"Identification of person to whom instrument is payable","url":"\/8.3A-110\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-110","metadata":false},{"id":59225,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-111","catch_line":"Place of payment","url":"\/8.3A-111\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-111","metadata":false},{"id":81552,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-112","catch_line":"Interest","url":"\/8.3A-112\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-112","metadata":false},{"id":78239,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-113","catch_line":"Date of instrument","url":"\/8.3A-113\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-113","metadata":false},{"id":69384,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-114","catch_line":"Contradictory terms of instrument","url":"\/8.3A-114\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-114","metadata":false},{"id":87003,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-115","catch_line":"Incomplete instrument","url":"\/8.3A-115\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-115","metadata":false},{"id":77257,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-116","catch_line":"Joint and several liability; contribution","url":"\/8.3A-116\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-116","metadata":false},{"id":58091,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-117","catch_line":"Other agreements affecting instrument","url":"\/8.3A-117\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-117","metadata":false},{"id":84675,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-118","catch_line":"Statute of limitations","url":"\/8.3A-118\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-118","metadata":false},{"id":60697,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-118.1","catch_line":"Statute of limitations on deposit accounts and certificates of deposit","url":"\/8.3A-118.1\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-118.1","metadata":false},{"id":62088,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-119","catch_line":"Notice of right to defend action","url":"\/8.3A-119\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-119","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69384,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-114","catch_line":"Contradictory terms of instrument","url":"\/8.3A-114\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-114","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":77257,"structure_id":13868,"section_number":"8.3A-116","catch_line":"Joint and several liability; contribution","url":"\/8.3A-116\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-116","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.3A-115\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1964, chapter 219; in 1992, chapter 693.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77332,"section_number":"8.3A-103","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.3A-103\/"},{"id":85403,"section_number":"8.3A-412","catch_line":"Obligation of issuer of note or cashier's check","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.3A-412\/"},{"id":62163,"section_number":"8.3A-413","catch_line":"Obligation of acceptor","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.3A-413\/"},{"id":81363,"section_number":"8.3A-414","catch_line":"Obligation of drawer","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.3A-414\/"},{"id":78513,"section_number":"8.3A-415","catch_line":"Obligation of endorser","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.3A-415\/"},{"id":56757,"section_number":"8.4-207.1","catch_line":"Transfer warranties","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.4-207.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":82039,"section_number":"8.3A-104","catch_line":"Negotiable instrument","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.3A-104\/"}],"permalink":{"id":282765,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87003,"identifier":"8.3A-115","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-115","url":"\/8.3A-115\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.3A-115\/","token":"8.3A\/1\/8.3A-115","dublin_core":{"Title":"Incomplete instrument","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.3A-115","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

a.<\/span> “Incomplete instrument<\/span>” means a signed writing, whether or not issued by the signer, the contents of which show at the time of signing that it is incomplete but that the signer intended it to be completed by the addition of words or numbers. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

b.<\/span> Subject to subsection (c), if an incomplete instrument<\/span> is an instrument under § 8.3A-104<\/a>, it may be enforced according to its terms if it is not completed, or according to its terms as augmented by completion. If an incomplete instrument<\/span> is not an instrument under § 8.3A-104<\/a>, but, after completion, the requirements of § 8.3A-104<\/a> are met, the instrument may be enforced according to its terms as augmented by completion. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

c.<\/span> If words or numbers are added to an incomplete instrument<\/span> without authority of the signer, there is an alteration of the incomplete instrument<\/span> under § 8.3A-407<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

d.<\/span> The burden of establishing that words or numbers were added to an incomplete instrument<\/span> without authority of the signer is on the person asserting the lack of authority. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINCOMPLETE INSTRUMENT (\u00a7 8.3A-115)\n\na. “Incomplete instrument” means a signed writing, whether or not\nissued by the signer, the contents of which show at the time of signing that it\nis incomplete but that the signer intended it to be completed by the addition of\nwords or numbers.\n\nb. Subject to subsection (c), if an incomplete instrument is an instrument under\n§ 8.3A-104, it may be enforced according to its terms if it is not\ncompleted, or according to its terms as augmented by completion. If an\nincomplete instrument is not an instrument under § 8.3A-104, but, after\ncompletion, the requirements of § 8.3A-104 are met, the instrument may be\nenforced according to its terms as augmented by completion.\n\nc. If words or numbers are added to an incomplete instrument without authority\nof the signer, there is an alteration of the incomplete instrument under §\n8.3A-407.\n\nd. The burden of establishing that words or numbers were added to an incomplete\ninstrument without authority of the signer is on the person asserting the lack\nof authority.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 6-365 through 6-367; 1964, c. 219, \u00a7 8.3-115; 1992, c.\n693.","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}}