Virginia law requires that service of process must itself inform the defendant of their right to object to venue.
The timing for the filing of a motion objecting to venue depends on the level of court in which the case has been brought.
An objection to venue in the less formal Virginia General District Court may be filed any time up to the day of the trial itself.
Factors that the court will consider in determining if venue is proper include the convenience of the parties and the witnesses, and the location of the evidence.
A court may also enforce a provision in a forum selection clause whereby the parties have agreed to a particular venue.