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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>73099</law_id><section_number>13.1-647</section_number><catch_line>Form and content of certificates evidencing shares</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>13.1-648</reference><reference>13.1-671.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="13.1">Corporations</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="9">Virginia Stock Corporation Act</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="7">Shares and Distributions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> <span class="dictionary">Shares</span> may but need not be represented by certificates. Unless this chapter or another <span class="dictionary">statute</span> expressly provides otherwise, the rights and obligations of <span class="dictionary">shareholders</span> are identical regardless of whether their <span class="dictionary">shares</span> are represented by certificates. <a id="paragraph-263226" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-647/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> At a minimum each share certificate shall <span class="dictionary">state</span> on its face: <a id="paragraph-263227" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-647/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The name of the <span class="dictionary">corporation</span> and that it is organized under the <span class="dictionary">law</span> of the Commonwealth; <a id="paragraph-263228" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-647/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The name of the <span class="dictionary">person</span> to whom issued; and <a id="paragraph-263229" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-647/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The number and class of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> and the designation of the series, if any, the certificate represents. <a id="paragraph-263230" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-647/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> If the <span class="dictionary">corporation</span> is authorized to <span class="dictionary">issue</span> different classes of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> or series of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> within a class, (i) the designations, rights, preferences, and limitations applicable to each class and series; (ii) any variations in rights, preferences, and limitations among the holders of the same class or series; and (iii) the authority of the board of directors to determine variations for future series shall be summarized on the front or back of each certificate for <span class="dictionary">shares</span> of such class or series. Alternatively, each certificate may <span class="dictionary">state</span> conspicuously on its front or back that the <span class="dictionary">corporation</span> will furnish the <span class="dictionary">shareholder</span> this information on request in <span class="dictionary">writing</span> and without charge. <a id="paragraph-263231" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-647/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Each share certificate shall be signed by two officers, who may be the same <span class="dictionary">individual</span>, designated in the bylaws or by the board of directors. Unless otherwise provided in the <span class="dictionary">articles of incorporation</span> or bylaws, any or all of the <span class="dictionary">signatures</span> on the certificate may be facsimile. <a id="paragraph-263232" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-647/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> If the <span class="dictionary">person</span> who signed a share certificate no longer holds office when the certificate is issued, the certificate is nevertheless valid. <a id="paragraph-263233" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-647/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 13.1-20; 1956, c. 428; 1958, c. 564; 1972, c. 580; 1984, c. 613; 1985, c. 522; 1986, c. 623; 1990, c. 227; 2005, c. 765; 2019, c. 734.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
