Surety Bonds in Virginia

Bonds commonly required in Virginia

Contractor License Bond

Some Virginia localities require contractors to post a bond in connection with licensing or permits.

Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond

Dealers commonly carry a bond intended to protect buyers and the state.

Notary Public Bond

Where required, a notary bond helps protect the public from notarial errors or misconduct.

Mortgage / Lending Bond

Mortgage and lending licensees may be required to maintain a surety bond.

Performance & Payment Bonds

Public construction frequently requires these bonds to assure completion and payment to subcontractors.

Do Virginia notaries need a bond?

No. Virginia does not require a surety bond to obtain or renew a notary commission. Commissions are issued by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth under the Code of Virginia, and the published requirements do not include a bond.

Bonding companies still market "Virginia notary bonds," which is where most of the confusion starts. If you are being told you must buy one to get commissioned, that is not what the Commonwealth requires.

What Virginia does suggest is that notaries consider liability coverage for their own protection, which means errors and omissions insurance rather than a bond. The Secretary of the Commonwealth also recommends keeping a record journal even though one is not required.

Confirm current requirements with the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth before purchasing anything.

Confirm the specific bond with the obligee or your Virginia licensing board, then get a quote so you can compare premiums.

A surety bond protects the party requiring it (the obligee) and the public — it is not insurance for your business. If a claim is paid, the principal generally repays the surety. Bond requirements and amounts are set by the obligee and vary by license type and jurisdiction. Verify the exact requirement before you buy.

All surety bond types Notary bonds Types of surety bonds explained