{"data":{"id":"us-va/va.-code-55.1-1003","jurisdiction":"us-va","citation":"Va. Code § 55.1-1003","heading":"Persons who may act as a settlement agent","body":"A. A person shall not act in the capacity of a settlement agent, and a lender, seller, purchaser or borrower may not contract with any person to act in the capacity of a settlement agent, with respect to real estate settlements in the Commonwealth unless the person has not been convicted of a felony, unless such person has had his civil rights restored by the Governor or been granted a writ of actual innocence, and is either:1. Licensed as an attorney under Chapter 39 (§ 54.1-3900 et seq.) of Title 54.1;2. Licensed as a title insurance company under Title 38.2;3. Licensed as a title insurance agent under Title 38.2 and is appointed by a title insurance company licensed in the Commonwealth pursuant to Chapter 18 (§ 38.2-1800 et seq.) of Title 38.2;4. Licensed as a real estate broker under Chapter 21 (§ 54.1-2100 et seq.) of Title 54.1;5. A financial institution authorized to do business in the Commonwealth under any of the provisions of Title 6.2 or under federal law; or6. A subsidiary or affiliate of a financial institution described in subdivision 5.Any person described in subdivisions 1 through 6 not acting in the capacity of a settlement agent shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter.B. Notwithstanding any rule of court to the contrary, a settlement agent operating in compliance with the requirements of this chapter or a party to the real estate transaction may provide escrow, closing, or settlement services and receive compensation for such services.1997, c. 716, § 6.1-2.21; 1998, c. 69; 2000, c. 549; 2002, c. 464; 2007, c. 898; 2008, c. 92; 2010, c. 794, § 55-525.19; 2019, c. 712.","path":["Title 55.1. Property and Conveyances","Subtitle II. Real Estate Settlements and Recordation","Chapter 10. Real Estate Settlement Agents"],"source_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/55.1-1003/","current_through":"9/4/2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:17:29Z","sha256":"275036b5a53d06ee4f9cfa18afdf68c92f8b9e2bf935fa8f0969c6a4c9c032ec","source_id":"us-va","stale":true,"prev":"us-va/va.-code-55.1-1002","next":"us-va/va.-code-55.1-1004"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}