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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>71153</law_id><section_number>59.1-490</section_number><catch_line>Retention of electronic record</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>59.1-496</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="42.1">Uniform Electronic Transactions Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="a"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> If a <span class="dictionary">law</span> requires that a record be retained, the requirement is satisfied by retaining an <span class="dictionary">electronic record</span> of the <span class="dictionary">information</span> in the record which: <a id="paragraph-256507" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-490/#a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Accurately reflects the <span class="dictionary">information</span> set forth in the record at the time and after it was first generated in its final form as an <span class="dictionary">electronic record</span> or otherwise; and <a id="paragraph-256508" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-490/#a1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Remains accessible for later reference. <a id="paragraph-256509" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-490/#a2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="b"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> A requirement to retain a record in accordance with subsection (a) does not apply to any <span class="dictionary">information</span> the sole purpose of which is to enable the record to be sent, communicated, or received. <a id="paragraph-256510" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-490/#b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="c"><p><span class="prefix-number">c.</span> A <span class="dictionary">person</span> may satisfy subsection (a) by using the services of another <span class="dictionary">person</span> if the requirements of that subsection are satisfied. <a id="paragraph-256511" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-490/#c"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="d"><p><span class="prefix-number">d.</span> If a <span class="dictionary">law</span> requires a record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, that <span class="dictionary">law</span> is satisfied by an <span class="dictionary">electronic record</span> retained in accordance with subsection (a). <a id="paragraph-256512" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-490/#d"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="e"><p><span class="prefix-number">e.</span> If a <span class="dictionary">law</span> requires retention of a check, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an <span class="dictionary">electronic record</span> of the <span class="dictionary">information</span> on the front and back of the check in accordance with subsection (a). <a id="paragraph-256513" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-490/#e"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="f"><p><span class="prefix-number">f.</span> A record retained as an <span class="dictionary">electronic record</span> in accordance with subsection A satisfies a <span class="dictionary">law</span> requiring a <span class="dictionary">person</span> to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes, unless a <span class="dictionary">law</span> enacted after the effective date of this chapter specifically prohibits the use of an <span class="dictionary">electronic record</span> for the specified purpose. <a id="paragraph-256514" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-490/#f"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="g"><p><span class="prefix-number">g.</span> This section does not preclude a public body of the Commonwealth from specifying additional requirements for the retention of a record subject to such public body&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>. <a id="paragraph-256515" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-490/#g"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2000, c. 995.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
