{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/59.1-443.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/59.1-443.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/59.1-443.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/59.1-443.2.html"}],"law_id":373141,"edition_id":2,"section_id":373141,"structure_id":53107,"section_number":"59.1-443.2","catch_line":"Restricted use of social security numbers","history":"2005, c. 640; 2008, cc. 562, 820.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as otherwise specifically provided by law, a person shall not:\n\n1\n\nIntentionally communicate another individual’s social security number to the general public;\n\n2\n\nPrint an individual’s social security number on any card required for the individual to access or receive products or services provided by the person;\n\n3\n\nRequire an individual to use his social security number to access an Internet website, unless a password, unique personal identification number or other authentication device is also required to access the site; or\n\n4\n\nSend or cause to be sent or delivered any letter, envelope, or package that displays a social security number on the face of the mailing envelope or package, or from which a social security number is visible, whether on the outside or inside of the mailing envelope or package.\n\nB\n\nThis section does not prohibit the collection, use, or release of a social security number as permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth or the United States, or the use of a social security number for internal verification or administrative purposes unless such use is prohibited by a state or federal statute, rule, or regulation.\n\nC\n\nIn the case of any (i) health care provider as defined in § 8.01-581.1, (ii) manager of a pharmacy benefit plan, (iii) insurer as defined in § 38.2-100, (iv) corporation providing a health services plan, (v) health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services, or (vi) contractor of any such person, the prohibition contained in subdivision 2 of subsection A shall become effective on January 1, 2006.\n\nD\n\nThis section shall not apply to public bodies as defined in § 2.2-3701.\n\nE\n\nNo person shall embed an encrypted or unencrypted social security number in or on a card or document, including, but not limited to, using a bar code, chip, magnetic strip, or other technology, in place of removing the social security number as required by this section.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1391947,"text":"Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, a person shall not:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":1391948,"text":"Intentionally communicate another individual’s social security number to the general public;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":1391949,"text":"Print an individual’s social security number on any card required for the individual to access or receive products or services provided by the person;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":1391950,"text":"Require an individual to use his social security number to access an Internet website, unless a password, unique personal identification number or other authentication device is also required to access the site; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":1391951,"text":"Send or cause to be sent or delivered any letter, envelope, or package that displays a social security number on the face of the mailing envelope or package, or from which a social security number is visible, whether on the outside or inside of the mailing envelope or package.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B"},"5":{"id":1391952,"text":"This section does not prohibit the collection, use, or release of a social security number as permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth or the United States, or the use of a social security number for internal verification or administrative purposes unless such use is prohibited by a state or federal statute, rule, or regulation.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":1391953,"text":"In the case of any (i) health care provider as defined in § 8.01-581.1, (ii) manager of a pharmacy benefit plan, (iii) insurer as defined in § 38.2-100, (iv) corporation providing a health services plan, (v) health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services, or (vi) contractor of any such person, the prohibition contained in subdivision 2 of subsection A shall become effective on January 1, 2006.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"7":{"id":1391954,"text":"This section shall not apply to public bodies as defined in § 2.2-3701.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"8":{"id":1391955,"text":"No person shall embed an encrypted or unencrypted social security number in or on a card or document, including, but not limited to, using a bar code, chip, magnetic strip, or other technology, in place of removing the social security number as required by this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":53107,"edition_id":2,"name":"Personal Information Privacy Act","identifier":"35","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":39,"parent_id":53010,"metadata":{"child_laws":6,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:10:56","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:36:28","permalink":{"id":1488525,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53107,"identifier":"35","token":"59.1\/35","url":"\/59.1\/35\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53010,"edition_id":2,"name":"Trade and Commerce","identifier":"59.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":127,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":861,"child_structures":141},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:09:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:36:19","permalink":{"id":1486523,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53010,"identifier":"59.1","token":"59.1","url":"\/59.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":373139,"structure_id":53107,"section_number":"59.1-442","catch_line":"Sale of purchaser information; notice required","url":"\/59.1-442\/","token":"59.1\/35\/59.1-442","metadata":false},{"id":373143,"structure_id":53107,"section_number":"59.1-443","catch_line":"Exceptions","url":"\/59.1-443\/","token":"59.1\/35\/59.1-443","metadata":false},{"id":373140,"structure_id":53107,"section_number":"59.1-443.1","catch_line":"Recording date of birth as condition of accepting checks prohibited","url":"\/59.1-443.1\/","token":"59.1\/35\/59.1-443.1","metadata":false},{"id":373141,"structure_id":53107,"section_number":"59.1-443.2","catch_line":"Restricted use of social security numbers","url":"\/59.1-443.2\/","token":"59.1\/35\/59.1-443.2","metadata":false},{"id":373142,"structure_id":53107,"section_number":"59.1-443.3","catch_line":"Scanning information from driver's license or other document; retention, sale, or dissemination of information","url":"\/59.1-443.3\/","token":"59.1\/35\/59.1-443.3","metadata":false},{"id":373148,"structure_id":53107,"section_number":"59.1-444","catch_line":"Damages","url":"\/59.1-444\/","token":"59.1\/35\/59.1-444","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":373140,"structure_id":53107,"section_number":"59.1-443.1","catch_line":"Recording date of birth as condition of accepting checks prohibited","url":"\/59.1-443.1\/","token":"59.1\/35\/59.1-443.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":373142,"structure_id":53107,"section_number":"59.1-443.3","catch_line":"Scanning information from driver's license or other document; retention, sale, or dissemination of information","url":"\/59.1-443.3\/","token":"59.1\/35\/59.1-443.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/59.1-443.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2005. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 640<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2008, chapters 562<\/a> and 820<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":372746,"section_number":"59.1-200","catch_line":"Prohibited practices","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-200\/"},{"id":373148,"section_number":"59.1-444","catch_line":"Damages","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-444\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":352956,"section_number":"2.2-3701","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3701\/"},{"id":361122,"section_number":"38.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-100\/"},{"id":377612,"section_number":"8.01-581.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-581.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1488539,"object_type":"law","relational_id":373141,"identifier":"59.1-443.2","token":"59.1\/35\/59.1-443.2","url":"\/59.1-443.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/59.1-443.2\/","token":"59.1\/35\/59.1-443.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Restricted use of social security numbers","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 59.1-443.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as otherwise specifically provided by law<\/span>, a person shall not: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Intentionally communicate another individual’s social security number to the general public; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Print an individual’s social security number on any card required for the individual to access or receive products or services provided by the person; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Require an individual to use his social security number to access an Internet website, unless a password, unique personal identification number or other authentication device is also required to access the site; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Send or cause to be sent or delivered any letter, envelope, or package that displays a social security number on the face of the mailing envelope or package, or from which a social security number is visible, whether on the outside or inside of the mailing envelope or package. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> This section does not prohibit the collection, use, or release of a social security number as permitted by the laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth or the United States, or the use of a social security number for internal verification or administrative purposes unless such use is prohibited by a state or federal statute<\/span>, rule, or regulation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In the case of any (i) health care provider as defined in § 8.01-581.1<\/a>, (ii) manager of a pharmacy benefit plan, (iii) insurer as defined in § 38.2-100<\/a>, (iv) corporation providing a health services plan, (v) health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services, or (vi) contractor of any such person, the prohibition contained in subdivision 2 of subsection A shall become effective on January 1, 2006. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> This section shall not apply to public bodies as defined in § 2.2-3701<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> No person shall embed an encrypted or unencrypted social security number in or on a card or document, including, but not limited to, using a bar code, chip, magnetic strip, or other technology, in place of removing the social security number as required by this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRESTRICTED USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS (\u00a7 59.1-443.2)\n\nA. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, a person shall not:\n\n 1. Intentionally communicate another individual’s social security number\n to the general public;\n\n 2. Print an individual’s social security number on any card required for\n the individual to access or receive products or services provided by the\n person;\n\n 3. Require an individual to use his social security number to access an\n Internet website, unless a password, unique personal identification number or\n other authentication device is also required to access the site; or\n\n 4. Send or cause to be sent or delivered any letter, envelope, or package that\n displays a social security number on the face of the mailing envelope or\n package, or from which a social security number is visible, whether on the\n outside or inside of the mailing envelope or package.\n\nB. This section does not prohibit the collection, use, or release of a social\nsecurity number as permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth or the United\nStates, or the use of a social security number for internal verification or\nadministrative purposes unless such use is prohibited by a state or federal\nstatute, rule, or regulation.\n\nC. In the case of any (i) health care provider as defined in § 8.01-581.1,\n(ii) manager of a pharmacy benefit plan, (iii) insurer as defined in §\n38.2-100, (iv) corporation providing a health services plan, (v) health\nmaintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services,\nor (vi) contractor of any such person, the prohibition contained in subdivision\n2 of subsection A shall become effective on January 1, 2006.\n\nD. This section shall not apply to public bodies as defined in § 2.2-3701.\n\nE. No person shall embed an encrypted or unencrypted social security number in\nor on a card or document, including, but not limited to, using a bar code, chip,\nmagnetic strip, or other technology, in place of removing the social security\nnumber as required by this section.\n\nHISTORY: 2005, c. 640; 2008, cc. 562, 820.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}