                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

PROHIBITIONS (§ 47.1-15)

A notary shall not:

1. Notarize a document if the signer is not in the presence of the notary at the
time of notarization, unless (i) in the case of an electronic notarization,
satisfactory evidence of the identity of the signer is established in accordance
with &#xA7; 47.1-2 or (ii) otherwise authorized by law to do so.

2. Use the official notary title or seal to endorse, promote, denounce, or
oppose any product, service, contest, candidate, or other offering.

3. Notarize a signature on a document without notarial certificate wording on
the same page as the signature unless the notarial certificate includes the name
of each person whose signature is being notarized.

4. Affix an official signature or seal on a notarial certificate that is
incomplete.
			A notary shall not perform any official act with the intent to deceive or
defraud.			A nonattorney notary shall not assist another person in drafting,
completing, selecting, or understanding a document or transaction requiring a
notarial act. This section does not preclude a notary who is duly qualified,
trained, or experienced in a particular industry or professional field from
selecting, drafting, completing, or advising on a document or certificate
related to a matter within that industry or field or prevent a notary from
adding a notarial certificate or electronic notarial certificate to a paper or
electronic document at the direction of a principal or lawful authority.			A
notary may decline to notarize a document.			Any document notarized prior to
July 1, 2008, which does not have the notarial certificate wording on the same
page as the signature, but otherwise appears on its face to be properly
notarized, shall be deemed validly notarized.

HISTORY: 2007, cc. 269, 590; 2008, c. 685; 2011, cc. 731, 834.