{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.3A-407.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.3A-407.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.3A-407.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.3A-407.html"}],"law_id":76929,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76929,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-407","catch_line":"Alteration","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 6-366, 6-367, 6-477, 6-478; 1964, c. 219, \u00a7 8.3-407; 1992, c. 693.","full_text":"a\n\n“Alteration” means (i) an unauthorized change in an instrument that purports to modify in any respect the obligation of a party, or (ii) an unauthorized addition of words or numbers or other change to an incomplete instrument relating to the obligation of a party.b\n\nExcept as provided in subsection (c), an alteration fraudulently made discharges a party whose obligation is affected by the alteration unless that party assents or is precluded from asserting the alteration. No other alteration discharges a party, and the instrument may be enforced according to its original terms.c\n\nA payor bank or drawee paying a fraudulently altered instrument or a person taking it for value, in good faith and without notice of the alteration, may enforce rights with respect to the instrument (i) according to its original terms, or (ii) in the case of an incomplete instrument altered by unauthorized completion, according to its terms as completed.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":276094,"text":"“Alteration” means (i) an unauthorized change in an instrument that purports to modify in any respect the obligation of a party, or (ii) an unauthorized addition of words or numbers or other change to an incomplete instrument relating to the obligation of a party.","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"next_prefix":"b"},"1":{"id":276095,"text":"Except as provided in subsection (c), an alteration fraudulently made discharges a party whose obligation is affected by the alteration unless that party assents or is precluded from asserting the alteration. No other alteration discharges a party, and the instrument may be enforced according to its original terms.","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a","next_prefix":"c"},"2":{"id":276096,"text":"A payor bank or drawee paying a fraudulently altered instrument or a person taking it for value, in good faith and without notice of the alteration, may enforce rights with respect to the instrument (i) according to its original terms, or (ii) in the case of an incomplete instrument altered by unauthorized completion, according to its terms as completed.","type":"section","prefixes":["c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"c","prefix_anchor":"c","level":1,"prior_prefix":"b"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15041,"edition_id":1,"name":"Liability of Parties","identifier":"4","label":"part","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13054,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:41","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:41","permalink":{"id":282869,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15041,"identifier":"4","token":"8.3A\/4","url":"\/8.3A\/4\/","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":72303,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-401","catch_line":"Signature necessary for liability on instrument","url":"\/8.3A-401\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-401","metadata":false},{"id":57340,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-402","catch_line":"Signature by representative","url":"\/8.3A-402\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-402","metadata":false},{"id":73829,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-403","catch_line":"Unauthorized signature","url":"\/8.3A-403\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-403","metadata":false},{"id":82256,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-404","catch_line":"Impostors; fictitious payees","url":"\/8.3A-404\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-404","metadata":false},{"id":85778,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-405","catch_line":"Employer's responsibility for fraudulent endorsement by employee","url":"\/8.3A-405\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-405","metadata":false},{"id":86533,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-406","catch_line":"Negligence contributing to forged signature or alteration of instrument","url":"\/8.3A-406\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-406","metadata":false},{"id":76929,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-407","catch_line":"Alteration","url":"\/8.3A-407\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-407","metadata":false},{"id":72123,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-408","catch_line":"Drawee not liable on unaccepted draft","url":"\/8.3A-408\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-408","metadata":false},{"id":74394,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-409","catch_line":"Acceptance of draft; certified check","url":"\/8.3A-409\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-409","metadata":false},{"id":86849,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-410","catch_line":"Acceptance varying draft","url":"\/8.3A-410\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-410","metadata":false},{"id":76564,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-411","catch_line":"Refusal to pay cashier's checks, teller's checks, and certified checks","url":"\/8.3A-411\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-411","metadata":false},{"id":85403,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-412","catch_line":"Obligation of issuer of note or cashier's check","url":"\/8.3A-412\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-412","metadata":false},{"id":62163,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-413","catch_line":"Obligation of acceptor","url":"\/8.3A-413\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-413","metadata":false},{"id":81363,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-414","catch_line":"Obligation of drawer","url":"\/8.3A-414\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-414","metadata":false},{"id":78513,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-415","catch_line":"Obligation of endorser","url":"\/8.3A-415\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-415","metadata":false},{"id":58496,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-416","catch_line":"Transfer warranties","url":"\/8.3A-416\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-416","metadata":false},{"id":63742,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-417","catch_line":"Presentment warranties","url":"\/8.3A-417\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-417","metadata":false},{"id":68633,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-418","catch_line":"Payment or acceptance by mistake","url":"\/8.3A-418\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-418","metadata":false},{"id":62031,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-419","catch_line":"Instruments signed for accommodation","url":"\/8.3A-419\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-419","metadata":false},{"id":75961,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-420","catch_line":"Conversion of instrument","url":"\/8.3A-420\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-420","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86533,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-406","catch_line":"Negligence contributing to forged signature or alteration of instrument","url":"\/8.3A-406\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-406","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":72123,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-408","catch_line":"Drawee not liable on unaccepted draft","url":"\/8.3A-408\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-408","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.3A-407\/","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":73125,"section_number":"8.4-104","catch_line":"Definitions and index of definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.4-104\/"},{"id":56757,"section_number":"8.4-207.1","catch_line":"Transfer warranties","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.4-207.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":282895,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76929,"identifier":"8.3A-407","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-407","url":"\/8.3A-407\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.3A-407\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-407","dublin_core":{"Title":"Alteration","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.3A-407","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

a.<\/span> “Alteration<\/span>” means (i) an unauthorized change in an instrument that purports to modify in any respect the obligation of a party<\/span>, or (ii) an unauthorized addition of words or numbers or other change to an incomplete instrument relating to the obligation of a party<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

b.<\/span> Except as provided in subsection (c), an alteration<\/span> fraudulently made discharges a party<\/span> whose obligation is affected by the alteration<\/span> unless that party<\/span> assents or is precluded from asserting the alteration<\/span>. No other alteration<\/span> discharges a party<\/span>, and the instrument may be enforced according to its original terms. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

c.<\/span> A payor bank or drawee paying a fraudulently altered instrument or a person taking it for value, in good faith and without notice of the alteration<\/span>, may enforce rights with respect to the instrument (i) according to its original terms, or (ii) in the case of an incomplete instrument altered by unauthorized completion, according to its terms as completed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nALTERATION (\u00a7 8.3A-407)\n\na. “Alteration” means (i) an unauthorized change in an instrument\nthat purports to modify in any respect the obligation of a party, or (ii) an\nunauthorized addition of words or numbers or other change to an incomplete\ninstrument relating to the obligation of a party.\n\nb. Except as provided in subsection (c), an alteration fraudulently made\ndischarges a party whose obligation is affected by the alteration unless that\nparty assents or is precluded from asserting the alteration. No other alteration\ndischarges a party, and the instrument may be enforced according to its original\nterms.\n\nc. A payor bank or drawee paying a fraudulently altered instrument or a person\ntaking it for value, in good faith and without notice of the alteration, may\nenforce rights with respect to the instrument (i) according to its original\nterms, or (ii) in the case of an incomplete instrument altered by unauthorized\ncompletion, according to its terms as completed.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 6-366, 6-367, 6-477, 6-478; 1964, c. 219, \u00a7 8.3-407;\n1992, c. 693.","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}}