{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.9A-301.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.9A-301.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.9A-301.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.9A-301.html"}],"law_id":70455,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70455,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-301","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 55-9; 1964, c. 219, \u00a7 8.9-103; 1973, c. 509; 1984, c. 613; 1996, c. 216; 1997, c. 343; 2000, c. 1007; 2004, c. 200; 2024, c. 652.","full_text":"Except as otherwise provided in \u00a7\u00a7 8.9A-303 through 8.9A-306.2, the following rules determine the law governing perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in collateral:\n\n1\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in this section, while a debtor is located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in collateral.2\n\nWhile collateral is located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a possessory security interest in that collateral.3\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in paragraph (4), while tangible negotiable documents, goods, instruments, or tangible money are located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs:A\n\nperfection of a security interest in the goods by filing a fixture filing;B\n\nperfection of a security interest in timber to be cut; andC\n\nthe effect of perfection or nonperfection and the priority of a nonpossessory security interest in the collateral.4\n\nThe local law of the jurisdiction in which the wellhead or minehead is located governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in as-extracted collateral.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":254249,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in \u00a7\u00a7 8.9A-303 through 8.9A-306.2, the following rules determine the law governing perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in collateral:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":254250,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in this section, while a debtor is located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in collateral.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":254251,"text":"While collateral is located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a possessory security interest in that collateral.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":254252,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (4), while tangible negotiable documents, goods, instruments, or tangible money are located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs:","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"3A"},"4":{"id":254253,"text":"perfection of a security interest in the goods by filing a fixture filing;","type":"section","prefixes":["3","A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"3A","prefix_anchor":"3A","level":2,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"3B"},"5":{"id":254254,"text":"perfection of a security interest in timber to be cut; and","type":"section","prefixes":["3","B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"3B","prefix_anchor":"3B","level":2,"prior_prefix":"3A","next_prefix":"3C"},"6":{"id":254255,"text":"the effect of perfection or nonperfection and the priority of a nonpossessory security interest in the collateral.","type":"section","prefixes":["3","C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"3C","prefix_anchor":"3C","level":2,"prior_prefix":"3B","next_prefix":"4"},"7":{"id":254256,"text":"The local law of the jurisdiction in which the wellhead or minehead is located governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in as-extracted collateral.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13859,"edition_id":1,"name":"Law Governing Perfection and Priority","identifier":"1","label":"subpart","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13858,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:06","permalink":{"id":283945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13859,"identifier":"1","token":"8.9A\/3\/1","url":"\/8.9A\/3\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13858,"edition_id":1,"name":"Perfection and Priority","identifier":"3","label":"part","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13277,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:06","permalink":{"id":283943,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13858,"identifier":"3","token":"8.9A\/3","url":"\/8.9A\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13277,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commercial Code \u2014 Secured Transactions","identifier":"8.9A","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:33","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:33","permalink":{"id":283833,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13277,"identifier":"8.9A","token":"8.9A","url":"\/8.9A\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":70455,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-301","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests","url":"\/8.9A-301\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-301","metadata":false},{"id":73690,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-302","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of agricultural liens","url":"\/8.9A-302\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-302","metadata":false},{"id":56057,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-303","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests in goods covered by a certificate of title","url":"\/8.9A-303\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-303","metadata":false},{"id":72095,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-304","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests in deposit accounts","url":"\/8.9A-304\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-304","metadata":false},{"id":79061,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-305","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests in investment property","url":"\/8.9A-305\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-305","metadata":false},{"id":71376,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-306","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests in letter-of-credit rights","url":"\/8.9A-306\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-306","metadata":false},{"id":55662,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-306.1","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests in chattel paper","url":"\/8.9A-306.1\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-306.1","metadata":false},{"id":54882,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-306.2","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests in controllable accounts, controllable electronic records, and controllable payment intangibles","url":"\/8.9A-306.2\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-306.2","metadata":false},{"id":68831,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-307","catch_line":"Location of debtor","url":"\/8.9A-307\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-307","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":73690,"structure_id":13859,"section_number":"8.9A-302","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of agricultural liens","url":"\/8.9A-302\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-302","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.9A-301\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1973, chapter 509; in 1984, chapter 613; in 1996, chapter 216<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 343<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 1007<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 200<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 652<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":55770,"section_number":"46.2-637","catch_line":"Security interests subsequently created","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-637\/"},{"id":59161,"section_number":"46.2-638","catch_line":"Certificate as notice of security interest","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-638\/"},{"id":58892,"section_number":"8.1A-301","catch_line":"Territorial applicability; parties' power to choose applicable law","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.1A-301\/"},{"id":82133,"section_number":"8.9A-316","catch_line":"Effect of change in governing law","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.9A-316\/"},{"id":70875,"section_number":"8.9A-705","catch_line":"Effectiveness of action taken before effective date","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.9A-705\/"},{"id":65306,"section_number":"8.9A-707","catch_line":"Amendment of preeffective-date financing statement","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.9A-707\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56057,"section_number":"8.9A-303","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests in goods covered by a certificate of title","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.9A-303\/"},{"id":54882,"section_number":"8.9A-306.2","catch_line":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests in controllable accounts, controllable electronic records, and controllable payment intangibles","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.9A-306.2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":283947,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70455,"identifier":"8.9A-301","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-301","url":"\/8.9A-301\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.9A-301\/","token":"8.9A\/3\/1\/8.9A-301","dublin_core":{"Title":"Law governing perfection and priority of security interests","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.9A-301","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Except as otherwise provided in \u00a7\u00a7 8.9A-303<\/a> through 8.9A-306.2<\/a>, the following rules determine the law<\/span> governing perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in collateral<\/span>:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in this section, while a debtor is located in a jurisdiction<\/span>, the local law<\/span> of that jurisdiction<\/span> governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in collateral<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> While collateral<\/span> is located in a jurisdiction<\/span>, the local law<\/span> of that jurisdiction<\/span> governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a possessory security interest in that collateral<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (4), while tangible negotiable documents, goods, instruments, or tangible money are located in a jurisdiction<\/span>, the local law<\/span> of that jurisdiction<\/span> governs: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> perfection of a security interest in the goods by filing a fixture filing; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> perfection of a security interest in timber to be cut; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> the effect of perfection or nonperfection and the priority of a nonpossessory security interest in the collateral<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The local law<\/span> of the jurisdiction<\/span> in which the wellhead or minehead is located governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in as-extracted collateral<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND PRIORITY OF SECURITY INTERESTS (\u00a7 8.9A-301)\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in \u00a7\u00a7 8.9A-303 through 8.9A-306.2, the following\nrules determine the law governing perfection, the effect of perfection or\nnonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in collateral:\n\n1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, while a debtor is located in a\njurisdiction, the local law of that jurisdiction governs perfection, the effect\nof perfection or nonperfection, and the priority of a security interest in\ncollateral.\n\n2. While collateral is located in a jurisdiction, the local law of that\njurisdiction governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and\nthe priority of a possessory security interest in that collateral.\n\n3. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (4), while tangible negotiable\ndocuments, goods, instruments, or tangible money are located in a jurisdiction,\nthe local law of that jurisdiction governs:\n\n A. perfection of a security interest in the goods by filing a fixture filing;\n\n B. perfection of a security interest in timber to be cut; and\n\n C. the effect of perfection or nonperfection and the priority of a\n nonpossessory security interest in the collateral.\n\n4. The local law of the jurisdiction in which the wellhead or minehead is\nlocated governs perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the\npriority of a security interest in as-extracted collateral.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 55-9; 1964, c. 219, \u00a7 8.9-103; 1973, c. 509; 1984, c.\n613; 1996, c. 216; 1997, c. 343; 2000, c. 1007; 2004, c. 200; 2024, c. 652.","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}}