Chapter 17.2. Uniform Foreign-country Money Judgments Recognition Act · Last amended 2014 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceThis section lists six circumstances — personal service abroad, voluntary appearance, a pre-dispute jurisdiction agreement, domicile or corporate presence in the foreign country, a local business office tied to the claim, or operating a vehicle or airplane there — under which a Virginia court may not deny recognition for lack of personal jurisdiction, while leaving room for other sufficient bases.
A.A foreign-country judgment may not be refused recognition for lack of personal jurisdiction if:
1.The defendant was served with process personally in the foreign country;
2.The defendant voluntarily appeared in the proceeding, other than for the purpose of protecting property seized or threatened with seizure in the proceeding or of contesting the jurisdiction of the court over the defendant;
3.The defendant, before the commencement of the proceeding, had agreed to submit to the jurisdiction of the foreign court with respect to the subject matter involved;
4.The defendant was domiciled in the foreign country when the proceeding was instituted or was a corporation or other form of business organization that had its principal place of business in, or was organized under the laws of, the foreign country;
5.The defendant had a business office in the foreign country and the proceeding in the foreign court involved a cause of action arising out of business done by the defendant through that office in the foreign country; or
6.The defendant operated a motor vehicle or airplane in the foreign country and the proceeding involved a cause of action arising out of that operation.
B.The list of bases for personal jurisdiction in subsection A is not exclusive. The courts of the Commonwealth may recognize bases of personal jurisdiction other than those listed in subsection A as sufficient to support a foreign- country judgment.
Plain-English Summary
Personal jurisdiction is one of the three mandatory grounds for refusing recognition under § 8.01-465.13:3, so this section spells out when a Virginia court cannot use that ground. Six circumstances count as sufficient: the defendant was personally served in the foreign country; the defendant voluntarily appeared, other than to protect seized property or contest jurisdiction; the defendant had agreed before the proceeding to submit to that court's jurisdiction; the defendant was domiciled there, or an entity with its principal place of business or place of organization there; the defendant had a local business office and the claim arose from business done through it; or the defendant operated a motor vehicle or airplane there and the claim arose from that operation.
The carve-out for a limited appearance matters — showing up only to protect property that was seized or threatened with seizure, or only to contest the court's jurisdiction, does not count as the kind of voluntary appearance that forecloses a later jurisdictional challenge.
None of this closes the door on other jurisdictional theories. Subsection B says the list “is not exclusive,” so a Virginia court may treat other bases for personal jurisdiction as sufficient even if they do not appear among the six listed here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this section accomplish?
It lists circumstances in which a Virginia court may not refuse recognition of a foreign-country judgment for lack of personal jurisdiction over the defendant.
Does appearing in the foreign proceeding always count as submitting to jurisdiction?
No, a voluntary appearance counts, but appearing only to protect property seized or threatened with seizure, or only to contest the court's jurisdiction, does not.
Is being domiciled in the foreign country enough to establish jurisdiction?
Yes, if the defendant was domiciled there — or, for a business entity, had its principal place of business there or was organized under its laws — when the proceeding was instituted.
Does having a business office in the foreign country always support jurisdiction?
Only if the proceeding involved a cause of action arising out of business the defendant did through that office in the foreign country.
Is this list of jurisdictional bases the only way to satisfy personal jurisdiction?
No, subsection B states the list “is not exclusive” and courts may recognize other bases as sufficient.
Amendment History
2014, c. 462.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:personal jurisdiction foreign judgment recognition virginiasafe harbors for personal jurisdiction foreign country judgmentvoluntary appearance foreign court jurisdiction virginiadomicile business office jurisdiction foreign judgment virginia