virginia workers comp form 61a is the Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance used in Virginia. The employer or contractor fills it out to prove to a general contractor or client that it has workers’ comp coverage. That may sound like paperwork between businesses. However, it can matter a lot to you if you get hurt on a job site. It helps show which insurance company should pay your medical bills and lost wages.
What the Virginia Workers Comp Form 61A Is For
The virginia workers comp form 61a has one main job: it proves coverage. Many construction jobs and service contracts involve layers of businesses. For example, a homeowner hires a general contractor. That contractor then hires a roofing company or an electrician as a subcontractor. Before work starts, the general contractor often asks each subcontractor for proof that its workers are covered. Form 61A is the standard way to give that proof in Virginia.
Why should a hurt worker care? In most cases, your direct employer’s insurer pays your claim. However, if your employer has no coverage, Virginia law may look up the chain to the general contractor. As a result, the certificate on file can point to who is responsible. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission forms page for injured workers is a good place to start if you need claim paperwork of your own.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Form number | Form 61A |
| Form title | Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance |
| Who files | The employer or contractor, to show coverage to a general contractor or client |
| Where it goes | To the general contractor or client who asked for proof of coverage |
| Fee | No fee is listed on the official form page; confirm with the Commission |
| Agency | Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission |
| Official PDF | Form 61A on workcomp.virginia.gov |
Who Files the Virginia Workers Comp Form 61A and When
The employer or contractor completes the virginia workers comp form 61a. Injured workers do not file this form. Typically, a subcontractor fills it out because a general contractor or client asked for it. Some businesses ask for it before signing a contract. Others ask before a crew steps onto the job site.
Timing is usually set by the contract, not by a single state deadline. Many general contractors want the certificate before any work begins. They may also ask for a new one when the insurance policy renews. If the coverage lapses or changes, the old certificate may no longer be accurate. As a result, careful businesses keep their certificates current.
To learn which Virginia employers must carry coverage at all, see our guide on Virginia workers comp requirements. That guide explains who must buy insurance and who may be exempt.
How to Fill It Out and Where to Send It
The virginia workers comp form 61a asks for basic facts about the business and its insurance. Typically, that includes the employer’s name and address and the insurance company’s name. It also asks for the policy number and the dates the policy is in force. The form also names the general contractor or client receiving the certificate. Fill in every field clearly. Make sure the names match the policy exactly.
Common mistakes can make a certificate useless. For example, a business might list an expired policy. It might use a trade name that differs from the name on the policy. Some leave the policy dates blank or skip the insurer’s name. A general contractor may reject a certificate with any of these problems. As a result, the subcontractor may be held off the job until it is fixed.
You can download the official form here: Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Form 61A). The completed certificate goes to the general contractor or client who asked for it. In most cases, it is handed over directly, by email or on paper. Check with the Commission if you are unsure whether a copy should go anywhere else.
What Happens After You File
Once the general contractor or client has the virginia workers comp form 61a, it usually keeps it in its project records. Nothing else typically happens unless someone gets hurt. If a worker is injured, the certificate helps show which insurer covers that worker. The insurer then handles the claim. If coverage turns out to be missing, the Commission can sort out who is responsible.
📨 Get Free Workers Comp Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
If you are the injured worker, your next step is your own claim. Report the injury to your employer as soon as you can. Then learn how to file a Virginia workers comp claim. You can also reach the Virginia workers comp board for help with forms and questions. It is free to call or write the Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I, as an injured worker, need to file the virginia workers comp form 61a?
No. The employer or contractor completes this form, not the worker. However, it can help you or your attorney find out which insurer should pay your claim.
What if my employer gave a virginia workers comp form 61a but had no real coverage?
That can happen if a policy lapsed or the form had errors. In many cases, Virginia law may then look to the general contractor above your employer. Confirm your options with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission and a licensed attorney.
Is there a fee to use the virginia workers comp form 61a?
No fee is listed on the official form page. The form is free to download from the Commission’s website. Confirm with the Commission if you have questions about any cost.
Virginia workers comp form 61a: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about virginia workers comp form 61a, make it this: the rule is set by the state (or the federal program), not by the insurer, and the official source is linked above. Every figure on this page about virginia workers comp form 61a should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about virginia workers comp form 61a that this page does not answer are usually answered for free by the state workers’ comp agency’s information line — and, for a disputed claim, by a licensed attorney in a first consultation.
See your state’s exact numbers
What you are owed depends on your state’s benefit caps and deadlines. Start with your state’s settlement and claim guides for the exact figures.
Sources & How to Verify
The figures on this page come from official government and industry sources. Workers’ comp benefit caps, deadlines, and rules change, so always confirm the exact figure with your state’s workers’ comp board or a licensed attorney before acting. Settlement estimates are illustrative, and every case is different.
- Your state workers’ comp board, division, or commission: the official source for your state’s exact caps, deadlines, and forms — search “[your state] workers compensation board”
- U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP): dol.gov — federal workers’ compensation overview
- NCCI: ncci.com — workers’ comp rating and benefit data
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — benefit-cap and SSDI offset data
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org — neutral workers’ comp background
Content last reviewed October 2026. If you notice an outdated figure, please contact us.
Related Guides
- Virginia Workers Comp Board
- How to File a Virginia Workers Comp Claim
- Virginia Workers Comp Requirements
- Workers Comp Settlements by State (All 50)
- Workers Comp Claims by State (All 50)
- More in This Category
- Settlements by Injury
- Benefits Explained
- Workers Comp Glossary
Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, insurer, or medical or financial advisor, and this page does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers’ compensation benefits, deadlines, and rules vary by state and change over time, and settlement estimates are illustrative only. Always confirm the exact figure and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.