<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>58236</law_id><section_number>47.1-23</section_number><catch_line>Grounds for removal from office</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="47.1">Notaries and Out-Of-State Commissioners</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="4">Term of Office</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span> may revoke the commission of any <span class="dictionary">notary</span> who:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Submits or has submitted an application for commission and appointment as a <span class="dictionary">notary public</span> which contains a substantial and <span class="dictionary">material</span> misstatement of <span class="dictionary">fact</span>; <a id="paragraph-213408" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/47.1-23/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Is convicted or has been convicted of any <span class="dictionary">felony</span> under the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the United <span class="dictionary">States</span> or this Commonwealth, or the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of any other <span class="dictionary">state</span>, unless the notary has been pardoned for such <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, has had his <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> vacated by a granting of a <span class="dictionary">writ</span> of actual innocence, or has had his rights restored; <a id="paragraph-213409" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/47.1-23/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Is found to have committed <span class="dictionary">official misconduct</span> by a proceeding as provided in Chapter 5 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Removal of notary by administrative process; surrender of commission; penalty" href="/47.1-24/">47.1-24</a> et seq.); <a id="paragraph-213410" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/47.1-23/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Fails to exercise the powers or perform the duties of a <span class="dictionary">notary public</span> in accordance with this title, provided that if a notary is adjudged liable in any <span class="dictionary">court</span> of the Commonwealth in any action grounded in <span class="dictionary">fraud</span>, misrepresentation, impersonation, or violation of the notary <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the Commonwealth, such notary shall be presumed removable under this section; <a id="paragraph-213411" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/47.1-23/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Performs a prohibited act pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Prohibitions" href="/47.1-15/">47.1-15</a> or <a class="law" title="Additional prohibition on advertising; penalties" href="/47.1-15.1/">47.1-15.1</a>; <a id="paragraph-213412" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/47.1-23/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Is convicted of the unauthorized practice of law pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Penalty for practicing without authority" href="/54.1-3904/">54.1-3904</a>, or is a licensed <span class="dictionary">attorney at law</span> whose license is suspended or revoked; <a id="paragraph-213413" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/47.1-23/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Ceases to be a legal resident of the United <span class="dictionary">States</span>; <a id="paragraph-213414" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/47.1-23/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Becomes incapable of reading or writing the English language; <a id="paragraph-213415" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/47.1-23/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Is adjudicated mentally incompetent; or <a id="paragraph-213416" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/47.1-23/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Fails to keep the official physical <span class="dictionary">seal</span>, journal, or device, coding, disk, <span class="dictionary">certificate</span>, card, software, or passwords used to affix the notary&#x2019;s official <span class="dictionary">electronic signature</span> or <span class="dictionary">seal</span> under the exclusive control of the notary when not in use. <a id="paragraph-213417" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/47.1-23/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 47-2; 1962, p. 687; 1976, c. 559; 1979, c. 14; 1980, c. 580; 1983, c. 435; 2007, cc. 269, 590; 2013, c. 86; 2014, cc. 544, 783.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
