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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>346764</law_id><section_number>13.1-638</section_number><catch_line>Authorized shares</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><referred_to_by><reference>13.1-614.1</reference><reference>13.1-639</reference><reference>13.1-646</reference><reference>13.1-726</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="44" identifier="13.1">Corporations</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="12" identifier="9">Virginia Stock Corporation Act</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="8" identifier="7">Shares and Distributions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">articles of incorporation</span> shall set forth any classes of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> and series of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> within a class, and the number of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> of each class and series, that the <span class="dictionary">corporation</span> is authorized to <span class="dictionary">issue</span>. If more than one class or series of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> is authorized, the <span class="dictionary">articles of incorporation</span> shall prescribe a distinguishing designation for each class or series and, before the issuance of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> of a class or series, describe the terms, including the preferences, rights and limitations of that class or series. Except to the extent varied as permitted by this section or by subsection B of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Share rights, options, warrants, and other awards" href="/13.1-646/">13.1-646</a>, all <span class="dictionary">shares</span> of a class or series shall have terms, including preferences, rights, and limitations, that are identical with those of other <span class="dictionary">shares</span> of the same class or series. <a id="paragraph-1293167" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">articles of incorporation</span> shall authorize: <a id="paragraph-1293168" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> One or more classes or series of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> that together have full voting rights; and <a id="paragraph-1293169" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> One or more classes or series of <span class="dictionary">shares</span>, which may be the same class or classes or series as those with voting rights, that together are entitled to receive the net <span class="dictionary">assets</span> of the <span class="dictionary">corporation</span> upon dissolution. <a id="paragraph-1293170" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">articles of incorporation</span> may authorize one or more classes or series of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> that: <a id="paragraph-1293171" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Have special, conditional, or limited voting rights, or no right to vote, except to the extent otherwise provided by this chapter; <a id="paragraph-1293172" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Are redeemable or convertible as specified in the <span class="dictionary">articles of incorporation</span>:
				a. At the option of the <span class="dictionary">corporation</span>, the <span class="dictionary">shareholder</span>, or another <span class="dictionary">person</span> or upon the occurrence of a specified event;<br/><br/>				b. For cash, indebtedness, securities, or other property; and<br/><br/>				c. At prices and in amounts specified or determined in accordance with a formula; <a id="paragraph-1293173" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Entitle the holders to <span class="dictionary">distributions</span>, calculated in any manner, including <span class="dictionary">distributions</span> that may be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative; <a id="paragraph-1293174" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Have preference over any other class or series of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> with respect to <span class="dictionary">distributions</span>, including <span class="dictionary">distributions</span> upon the dissolution of the <span class="dictionary">corporation</span>; or <a id="paragraph-1293175" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#C4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Entitle the holders to other specified rights, including a right that no transaction of a specified nature shall be consummated while any such <span class="dictionary">shares</span> remain outstanding except upon the assent of the holders of all or a specified portion of such <span class="dictionary">shares</span>. <a id="paragraph-1293176" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#C5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Any of the terms of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> may be made dependent upon <span class="dictionary">facts</span> objectively ascertainable outside the <span class="dictionary">articles of incorporation</span> in accordance with subsection L of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Filing requirements" href="/13.1-604/">13.1-604</a>. <a id="paragraph-1293177" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Any of the terms of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> may vary among holders of the same class or series so long as such variations are expressly set forth in the <span class="dictionary">articles of incorporation</span>. <a id="paragraph-1293178" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> The description of the preferences, rights, and limitations of classes or series of <span class="dictionary">shares</span> in subsection C is not exhaustive. <a id="paragraph-1293179" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/13.1-638/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 13.1-12, 13.1-13; 1956, c. 428; 1958, c. 564; 1985, c. 522; 1990, c. 423; 2005, c. 765; 2019, c. 734.</history><metadata><court_decisions><item key="0"><name>Barber v. VistaRMS, Inc.</name><case_number>Record 052094.</case_number><citation>634 S.E.2d 706</citation><date>2006-09-15</date><url>https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1058795/barber-v-vistarms-inc/</url><abstract> .&#x202F;.&#x202F;. 634 S.E.2d 706 (2006) .&#x202F;.&#x202F;. </abstract><court_html><abbr title="Supreme Court of Virginia">SCV</abbr></court_html></item><item key="1"><name>Hildebrand v. Lewis</name><case_number>CIV.A. 03-740-A</case_number><citation>281 F. Supp. 2d 837</citation><date>2003-09-10</date><url>https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2493711/hildebrand-v-lewis/</url><abstract> .&#x202F;.&#x202F;. 281 F.Supp.2d 837 (2003) .&#x202F;.&#x202F;. </abstract><court_html>District Court, E.D. Virginia</court_html></item><item key="2"><name>Barris Industries, Inc. v. Bryan</name><case_number>Civ. A. 88-0188-R</case_number><citation>686 F. Supp. 125</citation><date>1988-05-13</date><url>https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1362756/barris-industries-inc-v-bryan/</url><abstract> .&#x202F;.&#x202F;. 686 F.Supp. 125 (1988) .&#x202F;.&#x202F;. </abstract><court_html>District Court, E.D. Virginia</court_html></item></court_decisions></metadata></law>
