{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/17.1-212.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/17.1-212.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/17.1-212.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/17.1-212.html"}],"law_id":349977,"edition_id":2,"section_id":349977,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-212","catch_line":"Copying of records becoming illegible","history":"1944, p. 195, \u00a7 17-47; Michie Suppl. 1946, \u00a7 3387a; 1997, c. 836; 1998, c. 872.","full_text":"The judge or, if so designated by the judge, the clerk of each court of record, when satisfied that the records and papers in the office of the clerk of court are becoming illegible or are wearing out and is of the opinion that the same should be preserved, may order the records and papers copied or photographed or otherwise duplicated at the expense of the county or city in which the clerk’s office is located.\n\nThe copies of the records and papers shall be examined and compared by the clerk with the originals and when he is satisfied that the copies are exact he shall certify them as true copies. The certified copies shall be kept in the same place in which the originals are kept and the latter shall continue to be carefully preserved.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1304379,"text":"The judge or, if so designated by the judge, the clerk of each court of record, when satisfied that the records and papers in the office of the clerk of court are becoming illegible or are wearing out and is of the opinion that the same should be preserved, may order the records and papers copied or photographed or otherwise duplicated at the expense of the county or city in which the clerk’s office is located.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1304380,"text":"The copies of the records and papers shall be examined and compared by the clerk with the originals and when he is satisfied that the copies are exact he shall certify them as true copies. The certified copies shall be kept in the same place in which the originals are kept and the latter shall continue to be carefully preserved.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":50110,"edition_id":2,"name":"Other Clerks and Clerks' Offices","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50108,"metadata":{"child_laws":19,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:10","permalink":{"id":1389995,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50110,"identifier":"2","token":"17.1\/2\/2","url":"\/17.1\/2\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50108,"edition_id":2,"name":"Clerks, Clerks' Offices and Records","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50105,"metadata":{"child_laws":125,"child_structures":9},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:22","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:10","permalink":{"id":1389963,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50108,"identifier":"2","token":"17.1\/2","url":"\/17.1\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50105,"edition_id":2,"name":"Courts of Record","identifier":"17.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":50,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":322,"child_structures":25},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:16","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:09","permalink":{"id":1389801,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50105,"identifier":"17.1","token":"17.1","url":"\/17.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":349971,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-206","catch_line":"Where offices to be located","url":"\/17.1-206\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-206","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Daily Press, LLC v. Office of the Exec. Sec'y of the Supreme .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"Record 160889","citation":"800 S.E.2d 822","date":"2017-06-29","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4404754\/daily-press-llc-v-office-of-the-exec-secy-of-the-supreme-court-of-va\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION BY JUSTICE STEPHEN R. McCULLOUGH .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":349972,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-207","catch_line":"Days of operation of clerks' offices","url":"\/17.1-207\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-207","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Allie v. WHOLE FOODS MARKET GROUP, INC.","case_number":"1:10-cv-00813","citation":"746 F. Supp. 2d 773","date":"2010-10-05","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2469895\/allie-v-whole-foods-market-group-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 746 F.Supp.2d 773 (2010) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"}}}},{"id":349973,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-208","catch_line":"Records, etc., open to inspection; copies; exception","url":"\/17.1-208\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-208","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"The Daily Press v. Commonwealth","case_number":"210787","citation":null,"date":"2022-10-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8404409\/the-daily-press-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: Goodwyn, C.J., Powell, Kelsey, McCullough, and Chafin, JJ., and Millette and .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Daily Press, Inc. v. Commonwealth","case_number":"120858","citation":null,"date":"2013-02-28","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1057775\/daily-press-inc-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Perreault v. the Free Lance-Star","case_number":"Record 071978.","citation":"666 S.E.2d 352","date":"2008-09-12","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058448\/perreault-v-the-free-lance-star\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 666 S.E.2d 352 (2008) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"Daily Press, Inc. v. Commonwealth","case_number":"1005111","citation":"725 S.E.2d 737","date":"2012-05-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1061677\/daily-press-inc-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. *224ELDER, J., .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"4":{"name":"Smith v. Richmond Newspapers, Inc.","case_number":"Record 000337","citation":"261 Va. 113","date":"2001-01-12","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1059519\/smith-v-richmond-newspapers-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. JUSTICE KOONTZ .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"5":{"name":"Lotz v. Com.","case_number":"Record 081122.","citation":"672 S.E.2d 833","date":"2009-02-27","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058377\/lotz-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 672 S.E.2d 833 (2009) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"6":{"name":"Shiembob v. Shiembob","case_number":"0135091","citation":"685 S.E.2d 192","date":"2009-11-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1062323\/shiembob-v-shiembob\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 685 S.E.2d 192 (2009) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"7":{"name":"Ostergren v. Cuccinelli","case_number":"09-1723, 09-1796","citation":"615 F.3d 263","date":"2010-07-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/151545\/ostergren-v-cuccinelli\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. *266Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded by published opinion. Judge DUNCAN wrote the .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"8":{"name":"Ostergren v. Cuccinelli","case_number":"09-1723","citation":null,"date":"2010-08-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/152064\/ostergren-v-cuccinelli\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Filed: August 2, 2010 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"}}}},{"id":349974,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-209","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/17.1-209\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-209","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349975,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-210","catch_line":"Removal of records or papers prohibited; exceptions","url":"\/17.1-210\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-210","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349976,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-211","catch_line":"Maintenance and disposition of certain receipt books, cancelled checks and statements","url":"\/17.1-211\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-211","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349977,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-212","catch_line":"Copying of records becoming illegible","url":"\/17.1-212\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-212","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349978,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-213","catch_line":"Disposition of papers in ended cases","url":"\/17.1-213\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-213","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Roe v. Com.","case_number":"Record 050909.","citation":"628 S.E.2d 526","date":"2006-04-21","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058822\/roe-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 628 S.E.2d 526 (2006) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":349979,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-214","catch_line":"Clerk to deliver or send process to sheriff","url":"\/17.1-214\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-214","metadata":false},{"id":349980,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-215","catch_line":"Process book","url":"\/17.1-215\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-215","metadata":false},{"id":349981,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-216","catch_line":"Handling fee for service of process","url":"\/17.1-216\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-216","metadata":false},{"id":349982,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-217","catch_line":"Power of clerk to administer oath","url":"\/17.1-217\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-217","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349983,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-218","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/17.1-218\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-218","metadata":false},{"id":349985,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-219","catch_line":"Clerk to prepare bonds","url":"\/17.1-219\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-219","metadata":false},{"id":349984,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-219.1","catch_line":"Transportation orders; authorization for clerk to issue orders to custodian","url":"\/17.1-219.1\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-219.1","metadata":false},{"id":349986,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-220","catch_line":"Duplicate certificate of allowance prohibited, unless ordered by court","url":"\/17.1-220\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-220","metadata":false},{"id":349987,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-221","catch_line":"Reports by clerks of the business of courts of record","url":"\/17.1-221\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-221","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349989,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-222","catch_line":"Failure to make report","url":"\/17.1-222\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-222","metadata":false},{"id":349988,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-222.1","catch_line":"Collection of fees, etc., by court clerks in lieu of money","url":"\/17.1-222.1\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-222.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}}],"previous_section":{"id":349976,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-211","catch_line":"Maintenance and disposition of certain receipt books, cancelled checks and statements","url":"\/17.1-211\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-211","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},"next_section":{"id":349978,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-213","catch_line":"Disposition of papers in ended cases","url":"\/17.1-213\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-213","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Roe v. Com.","case_number":"Record 050909.","citation":"628 S.E.2d 526","date":"2006-04-21","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058822\/roe-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 628 S.E.2d 526 (2006) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},"metadata":{"court_decisions":""},"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/17.1-212\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1997, chapter 836<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 872<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1390021,"object_type":"law","relational_id":349977,"identifier":"17.1-212","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-212","url":"\/17.1-212\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/17.1-212\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-212","dublin_core":{"Title":"Copying of records becoming illegible","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 17.1-212","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The judge<\/span> or, if so designated by the judge<\/span>, the clerk of each court of record, when satisfied that the records and papers in the office of the clerk of court<\/span> are becoming illegible or are wearing out and is of the opinion<\/span> that the same should be preserved, may order<\/span> the records and papers copied or photographed or otherwise duplicated at the expense of the county or city in which the clerk’s office is located.<\/p>

The copies of the records and papers shall be examined and compared by the clerk with the originals and when he is satisfied that the copies are exact he shall certify them as true copies. The certified copies shall be kept in the same place in which the originals are kept and the latter shall continue to be carefully preserved.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOPYING OF RECORDS BECOMING ILLEGIBLE (\u00a7 17.1-212)\n\nThe judge or, if so designated by the judge, the clerk of each court of record,\nwhen satisfied that the records and papers in the office of the clerk of court\nare becoming illegible or are wearing out and is of the opinion that the same\nshould be preserved, may order the records and papers copied or photographed or\notherwise duplicated at the expense of the county or city in which the\nclerk’s office is located.\n\nThe copies of the records and papers shall be examined and compared by the clerk\nwith the originals and when he is satisfied that the copies are exact he shall\ncertify them as true copies. The certified copies shall be kept in the same\nplace in which the originals are kept and the latter shall continue to be\ncarefully preserved.\n\nHISTORY: 1944, p. 195, \u00a7 17-47; Michie Suppl. 1946, \u00a7 3387a; 1997, c. 836;\n1998, c. 872.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}