Va. Code § 64.2-628: Requirements

A transfer on death deed:1. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 2, shall contain the essential elements and formalities of a properly recordable inter vivos deed or document to convey a cooperative interest created pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Cooperative Act (§ 55.1-2100 et seq.);2. Shall state that the transfer to the designated beneficiary is to occur at the transferor's death;3. Shall be recorded before the transferor's death in the land records of the clerk's office of the circuit court in the jurisdiction where the property is located;4. Shall comply with the requirements for recordation set forth in Chapter 6 (§ 55.1-600 et seq.) of Title 55.1 and shall be indexed by the clerk of court under the name of the transferor as grantor;5. Unless the transfer is for consideration, shall be exempt from recordation tax as provided by subsection J of § 58.1-811;6. For property owned by joint owners to be effective, shall be executed by all joint owners; and7. Shall be considered a deed for purposes of complying with the requirements of § 17.1-223.2013, c. 390; 2022, c. 309.