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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>73213</law_id><section_number>64.2-121</section_number><catch_line>Disclosure of content of electronic communications of deceased user</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>64.2-130</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="64.2">Wills, Trusts, and Fiduciaries</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">General Provisions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Definitions and General Provisions</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3.1">Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>If a deceased <span class="dictionary">user</span> consented to or a <span class="dictionary">court</span> directs disclosure of the contents of <span class="dictionary">electronic communications</span> of the <span class="dictionary">user</span>, the <span class="dictionary">custodian</span> shall disclose to the <span class="dictionary">personal representative</span> of the estate of the <span class="dictionary">user</span> the content of <span class="dictionary">electronic communications</span> sent or received by the <span class="dictionary">user</span> if the representative gives the <span class="dictionary">custodian</span>:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> A written request for disclosure in physical or electronic form; <a id="paragraph-263558" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-121/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A certified copy of the death certificate of the <span class="dictionary">user</span>; <a id="paragraph-263559" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-121/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> A certified copy of the letter of appointment of the representative or a small-estate <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span> or <span class="dictionary">court order</span>; <a id="paragraph-263560" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-121/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Unless the <span class="dictionary">user</span> provided direction using an <span class="dictionary">online tool</span>, a copy of the <span class="dictionary">user</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">will</span>, trust, <span class="dictionary">power of attorney</span>, or other <span class="dictionary">record</span> evidencing the <span class="dictionary">user</span>&#x2019;s consent to disclosure of the content of <span class="dictionary">electronic communications</span>; and <a id="paragraph-263561" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-121/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> If requested by the <span class="dictionary">custodian</span>:
			a. A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or <span class="dictionary">account</span> identifier assigned by the <span class="dictionary">custodian</span> to identify the <span class="dictionary">user</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">account</span>;
			b. <span class="dictionary">Evidence</span> linking the <span class="dictionary">account</span> to the <span class="dictionary">user</span>; or
			c. A <span class="dictionary">finding</span> by the court that (i) the <span class="dictionary">user</span> had a specific <span class="dictionary">account</span> with the <span class="dictionary">custodian</span>, identifiable by the <span class="dictionary">information</span> specified in subdivision a; (ii) disclosure of the content of <span class="dictionary">electronic communications</span> of the <span class="dictionary">user</span> would not violate 18 U.S.C. &#xA7; 2701 et seq., 47 U.S.C. &#xA7; 222, or other applicable <span class="dictionary">law</span>; (iii) unless the <span class="dictionary">user</span> provided direction using an <span class="dictionary">online tool</span>, the <span class="dictionary">user</span> consented to disclosure of the content of <span class="dictionary">electronic communications</span>; or (iv) disclosure of the content of <span class="dictionary">electronic communications</span> of the <span class="dictionary">user</span> is reasonably necessary for administration of the estate. <a id="paragraph-263562" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-121/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2017, cc. 33, 80.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
