The venue of actions seeking declarations of right with or without consequential relief shall be determined in accordance with provisions of Chapter 5 (§ 8.01-257 et seq.) of this title.
§ 8.01-185.Venue.
Chapter 3. Actions · Article 17. Declaratory Judgments · Last amended 1977 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceVenue for a declaratory judgment action, whether or not consequential relief is also sought, follows the general venue provisions in Chapter 5 of Title 8.01, beginning at Section 8.01-257.
Full Text of § 8.01-185
Plain-English Summary
Section 8.01-185 does not create a special venue rule for declaratory judgment actions. Instead, it folds them into Virginia’s ordinary venue framework: the venue of actions seeking declarations of right, with or without consequential relief, is determined under Chapter 5 of Title 8.01, the chapter beginning at Section 8.01-257 that governs venue generally across Virginia civil litigation.
By tying declaratory judgment venue to the same rules that apply to other civil actions, the section keeps Article 17 from becoming a venue-shopping shortcut. A plaintiff seeking a declaration of rights has to file where the general venue statutes would otherwise place the case, whether or not the suit also asks for an injunction, damages, or other consequential relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Article 17 have its own venue rule for declaratory judgment actions?
No, Section 8.01-185 refers to the general venue provisions of Chapter 5.
Where does that general venue chapter begin in the Code?
Section 8.01-257.
Does it matter whether the plaintiff also seeks consequential relief?
No, the venue rule applies with or without consequential relief.
Why might Virginia have chosen not to write a special venue rule for declaratory actions?
To keep declaratory judgment suits governed by the same venue framework as other civil litigation, rather than creating a separate and exploitable alternative.
Does this section apply to the special nexus action under Section 8.01-184.1?
Section 8.01-184.1 separately grants circuit courts original jurisdiction over that specific action; Section 8.01-185’s general venue reference addresses declaratory actions under this article more broadly.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-579; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617.
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
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