CODE OF VIRGINIA

ADDITIONAL PROHIBITION ON ADVERTISING; PENALTIES (§ 47.1-15.1)

A. A notary public shall not offer or provide legal advice on immigration or
other legal matters, or represent any person in immigration proceedings, unless
such notary public is authorized or licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth
or is accredited pursuant to 8 C.F.R. § 292.2 to practice immigration law or
represent persons in immigration proceedings.

B. A notary public shall not assume, use, or advertise the title of
“notario,” “notario publico,” or
“licenciado,” or a term in a language other than English that
indicates in such language that the notary is authorized to provide legal advice
or practice law, unless such notary public is authorized or licensed to practice
law in Virginia.

C. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection B is subject to a civil
penalty not to exceed $ 500 for a first violation and a civil penalty not to
exceed $ 1,000 for a second or subsequent violation. All penalties arising under
this section shall be recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney
General in the name of the Commonwealth and the proceeds shall be deposited into
the Legal Aid Services Fund established in § 17.1-278.

D. Nothing in this section shall preempt or preclude additional civil,
administrative, or criminal penalties authorized by law.

HISTORY: 2014, cc. 544, 783.