How to Become a Virginia Notary in 2026
Virginia requires no bond, no exam, and no education. Apply online, pay $45 + $10 for your Oath of Office. Virginia was the first US state to authorize RON (2012). Northern Virginia NSAs earn $100–$200+/signing.
Commission Cost
~$95 – $135
NSA-Ready Cost
~$360 – $750
NoVA Signing Fee
$100 – $200+
Commission Term
4 years
First-time applicants: get Part 3 notarized by another VA notary
Initial Virginia notary applicants must have their own signature on Part 3 of the application notarized by another commissioned Virginia notary before submitting. This is required only for first-time applicants — renewals skip this step.
Commission expires last day of birth month — no grace period
Virginia notary commissions expire on the last day of your birth month in the 4th year. There is no grace period. Begin renewal at least 60-90 days before expiration.
Best Virginia Notary Training Programs (2026)
1. NNA (Virginia Package)Best Supply Package
Virginia packages start at $85 — includes state-required seal stamp, Virginia Notary law primer, and 4-year NNA Hotline (matches VA 4-year commission). No state training needed. Verify full pricing at NNA.
From $85
Verify at NNA
2. Loan Signing System (LSS)Best NSA Training
#1 rated NSA training — 100,000+ students. Northern Virginia / DC Metro is one of the highest-paying NSA markets in the US. $347 one-time or 4x$97/mo.
$347
Six Figure
3. NNA NSA CertificationIndustry Standard
Background check + NSA certification required by most NoVA and Richmond title companies. $199 (background + training) or $299 (adds NNA membership).
$199
or $299
Best Virginia Notary Training Programs
All 3 schools are Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
NNA (National Notary Association)
Best Supply PackageStarting at
$85
- Virginia packages start at $85 — includes state-required seal stamp
- Virginia Notary law primer included
- 4-year NNA Hotline subscription matches VA 4-year commission
- No state training needed — VA has no mandatory education requirement
- NEEDS_REVIEW: Verify full package range at nationalnotary.org/virginia/become-a-notary
Available Packages (1)
Virginia Commission Package
- Virginia state-required notary seal stamp
- Virginia Notary law primer
- 4-year NNA Hotline
- NEEDS_REVIEW: Full package range at NNA
NNA NSA Certification
Industry Standard CredentialStarting at
$199
- Industry-standard background check required by NoVA and Richmond title companies
- NSA Certification Training and Exam (80%+ passing)
- Listing on SigningAgent.com directory included
- Mark Wills recommends getting BOTH LSS + NNA certifications
Available Packages (2)
Background Screening + Training
- Background Screening
- NSA Certification Training and Exam
- Listing on SigningAgent.com
Loan Signing System (LSS) - Mark Wills
Best NSA Training CourseStarting at
$347
- #1 rated NSA training — 100,000+ students nationwide
- Northern Virginia / DC Metro is one of the highest-paying NSA markets in the US
- Includes LSS Certification recognized by VA title companies
- 4 months LIVE 1:1 mentorship + biweekly coaching calls
- 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days
Available Packages (1)
Six Figure Course
- NSA Training + LSS Certification
- 9-Step Notary Business Blueprint
- Video walkthroughs of all 5 loan signing types
- 4 months mentorship + coaching calls
- 300+ companies hiring signing agents
- Payment plan: 4 x $97/month
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
Virginia Notary — Key Facts
Virginia notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of the Commonwealth under Virginia Code § 47.1-1 et seq. Four things that make Virginia stand out:
First US RON state (2012)
Electronic commission: $45 extra
Must be in VA; signer can be anywhere
No bond, no exam, no education
$45 + $10 oath fee total
One of the most accessible states
Commission expires on birthday month
4-year term; no grace period
Renew 60-90 days before expiration
Northern Virginia premium market
$100-$200+/signing
DC Metro home values drive premium fees
How Much Do Virginia Notary Signing Agents Earn?
ZipRecruiter VA NSA
$60,553/yr
Nov 2025
Mobile NSA Range
$61.5K – $71.9K
25th–75th percentile
NoVA Top Operators
$70K – $120K+
Direct title relationships
Source: ZipRecruiter (Nov 2025). Individual earnings vary based on volume, markets, and title company relationships.
| Market | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Northern Virginia (Arlington/Fairfax/Loudoun) | $100 – $200+ |
| Richmond Metro | $75 – $150 |
| Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach/Norfolk) | $75 – $150 |
| Charlottesville / Roanoke | $75 – $125 |
How to Become a Virginia Notary — Step by Step
Get Part 3 notarized by another VA notary (first-time only)
Initial applicants must have their signature on Part 3 of the application notarized by another commissioned Virginia notary before submitting. Find a local Virginia notary or use a notary signing service. Renewals skip this step.
Apply at commonwealth.virginia.gov and pay $45
Apply online through the Secretary of the Commonwealth. No bond, education, or exam required. Pay the $45 non-refundable application fee.
Take Oath of Office and pay $10 court fee
Upon approval, take your Oath of Office and pay the $10 court fee. Your commission expires on the last day of your birth month in the 4th year — no grace period. Begin renewal 60-90 days before expiration.
Purchase mandatory notary seal and journal
Virginia notary seal is mandatory (unlike some states). Must include your commissioned name, "Notary Public," and "Commonwealth of Virginia." Seal must be photographically reproducible. Purchase a journal — required for RON, best practice for all acts.
Add NSA training for NoVA and Richmond loan signing income
Loan Signing System ($347) for comprehensive NSA training + NNA background check ($199 — required by most NoVA and Richmond title companies) + E&O insurance ($100,000, ~$100-$250/yr). Consider the separate $45 RON electronic notary commission for additional remote income.
Virginia Notary Requirements at a Glance
Commission Requirements
- Age 18+; VA resident or VA-employed
- No bond, education, or exam required
- Part 3 signature notarized by VA notary (first-time only)
- $45 application fee + $10 court oath fee
- Mandatory notary seal required
- 4-year commission (expires last day of birth month)
- No grace period — renew before expiration
Regulator + RON
- Agency: Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Website: commonwealth.virginia.gov
- Statute: Virginia Code § 47.1-1 et seq.
- RON: First US state (2012); $45 electronic commission; 5-yr journal retention
- Per-act cap: $10 traditional; $25 RON (NSA fees uncapped)
Get the Complete Virginia Notary Guide — Free
Part 3 notarization checklist, RON commission guide, NoVA vs. Richmond market comparison, and NSA platform setup — delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions — Virginia Notary
How do I become a notary in Virginia?
Apply through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website (commonwealth.virginia.gov). Initial applicants must have their signature on Part 3 of the application notarized by another Virginia notary. Pay the $45 application fee. Upon approval, take your Oath of Office and pay a $10 court fee. No bond, education, or exam required. Purchase your mandatory notary seal and journal. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Does Virginia require a bond, education, or exam?
No to all three. Virginia requires none of these for a standard notary commission. This makes Virginia one of the more accessible states to commission — the main requirements are residency (or Virginia employment), age 18+, English literacy, no felony conviction, and the state fees ($45 + $10 oath).
When does a Virginia notary commission expire?
A Virginia commission expires on the last day of the notary's birth month in the 4th year of the term. Virginia has no grace period — you must renew before expiration. Begin renewal at least 60-90 days before your commission expires.
Was Virginia really the first RON state?
Yes. Virginia enacted RON legislation in 2011 (effective 2012), making it the first US state to authorize remote online notarization. Virginia's RON framework has been operational for over a decade. You need a separate electronic notary commission ($45) and must be physically located in Virginia when performing RON — signers can be anywhere.
What is the initial applicant signature requirement?
First-time Virginia notary applicants must have their own signature on Part 3 of the application notarized by another commissioned Virginia notary before submitting. This is a one-time requirement for new applicants only — renewals do not require this step.
How much does it cost to become a Virginia notary?
Basic commission: ~$95-$135 ($45 application + $10 court oath + $25-$50 seal + $15-$30 journal). No bond required. NSA-ready total: ~$360-$750 (add LSS training $347, NNA background check $65, E&O insurance $100-$250/yr). RON commission: add $45 for the separate electronic notary commission.
How much do Virginia notary signing agents earn?
ZipRecruiter data (Nov 2025) shows Virginia NSAs averaging $60,553/year, with mobile NSAs earning $61,500-$71,900. Northern Virginia / DC Metro operators can earn $70,000-$120,000+ due to extremely high home values and correspondingly higher loan amounts and signing fees. Hampton Roads has strong military refinancing volume.
What are the best Virginia markets for notary signing agents?
Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun counties) is the highest-paying market — premium fees of $100-$200+ driven by high DC Metro home values. Richmond is the state capital with a growing tech market. Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach, Norfolk) has consistent military-driven refinancing demand. Charlottesville and Roanoke provide steady secondary markets.
Does Virginia require a notary seal?
Yes. Virginia notary seals are mandatory and must include your name exactly as commissioned, "Notary Public," and "Commonwealth of Virginia." The seal must be sharp, legible, permanent, and photographically reproducible. Optional additions: registration number and commission expiration date.
What is the per-act fee cap in Virginia?
Virginia caps traditional notary acts at $10 per act. Electronic/RON notarizations are capped at $25 per act. These caps do not limit NSA signing agent service fees for facilitating complete loan closing packages ($75-$200+ per appointment).
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.