A. A document is sufficient to constitute a satisfaction of a security instrument if it conforms substantially in form and content to the requirements of § 55.1-342 and it:

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Terms Used In Virginia Code 55.1-350

  • Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
  • Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.

1. Identifies the security instrument, the original parties to the security instrument, the recording data for the security instrument, and the office in which the security instrument is recorded;

2. States that the person signing the satisfaction is the secured creditor;

3. Contains a legal description of the real property identified in the security instrument, but only if a legal description is necessary for a satisfaction to be properly indexed; otherwise, the deed book and page number or instrument number is sufficient;

4. Contains language terminating the effectiveness of the security instrument; and

5. Is signed by the secured creditor and acknowledged as required by law for a conveyance of an interest in real property.

B. The clerk of the circuit court shall accept for recording a satisfaction document, unless:

1. An amount equal to or greater than the applicable recording fees and taxes is not tendered;

2. The document is submitted by a method or in a medium not authorized by the laws of the Commonwealth; or

3. The document is not signed by the secured creditor and acknowledged as required by law for a conveyance of an interest in real property.

2006, c. 907, § 55-66.12; 2019, c. 712.