In Virginia, becoming a notary requires passing an application review and receiving a commission from the Secretary of the Commonwealth. That baseline is important - but it does not tell you much about the notary's training, professionalism, or experience. When the documents you need notarized carry real legal or financial weight, knowing what to look for makes a difference.

Every practicing notary in Virginia must hold an active commission issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Commissions are valid for four years and are tied to the notary's county or city of residence or employment.

You can verify a notary's commission status through the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth's online database. An active commission is the minimum requirement - but it is just the starting point.

The National Notary Association (NNA) is the leading professional organization for notaries in the United States. NNA-certified notaries have completed a standardized training course and passed a proctored exam covering notarial law, best practices, and document handling.

NNA certification is voluntary, which means notaries who hold it have gone beyond the state minimum. It signals a commitment to professional standards and ongoing education.

The NNA offers a background screening program that checks a notary's criminal history. For loan signings and other sensitive transactions, title companies and lenders often require notaries to be NNA background screened before they will assign work.

If you are hiring a notary for a real estate closing, a financial transaction, or any situation where you are sharing sensitive personal information, asking whether the notary has passed a background check is a reasonable question.

Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance protects both the notary and the client if a mistake is made during the notarization process. While Virginia does not require notaries to carry E&O insurance, professionals who handle high-volume or high-stakes signings typically maintain it.

A notary with E&O coverage has a financial backstop if an error causes harm - which means you have recourse if something goes wrong.

If you need a remote online notarization (RON), confirm that the notary holds a Virginia electronic notary commission in addition to their standard commission. RON requires a separate application and approval from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, as well as certification on an approved platform.

Not every Virginia notary is authorized to perform RON. Asking specifically about electronic notary credentials before scheduling a remote session saves time and avoids last-minute complications.

For RON sessions, the notary must use a Virginia-approved platform. Proof, Notarize, and similar platforms require notaries to complete training and meet technical standards before they can conduct remote sessions. A notary who is certified on an approved platform has demonstrated they can manage the technology and identity verification process correctly.

When evaluating a notary, consider asking:

• Is your Virginia commission current?
• Are you NNA certified and background screened?
• Do you carry E&O insurance?
• Are you authorized to perform remote online notarizations in Virginia?
• What platform do you use for RON sessions?
• Do you have experience with this type of document?

A professional notary will answer these questions directly and without hesitation.

Mali + Co. Notary holds an active Virginia notary commission, NNA certification, NNA background screening, E&O insurance, and Proof platform certification for remote online notarizations. We serve clients throughout Virginia with mobile and remote options.

Contact us to schedule your appointment or ask about our credentials.