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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TfLjsBF76P5qNJmsnTfB/PSu1QOjPCmVq2YYC77xyxIooc6ZVZp0eHwMvr4mc4vl
 qCZ0qdNBWsRY/OJYmBJaeg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000835012-05-000001.txt : 20050114
<SEC-HEADER>0000835012-05-000001.hdr.sgml : 20050114
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050114104829
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000835012-05-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050114
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050114
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050114

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FENTRISS LAURENCE C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000933001

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17377
		FILM NUMBER:		05529455

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7574466900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES INC
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1177
		CITY:			NORFOLK
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23501-1177

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000835012
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				541460991
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		403 BOUSH ST
		CITY:			NORFOLK
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23510
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8044466900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 2:		403 BOUSH STREET
		CITY:			NORFOLK
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23510
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000835012</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>cwbs</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000933001</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FENTRISS LAURENCE C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>PO BOX 1177</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NORFOLK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23501-1177</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.77</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18.77</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-12-14</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-12-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Stock Options</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Laurence C Fentriss</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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