Va. Code § 15.2-3803
At least thirty days before instituting a proceeding for a grant of city status, a town shall serve notice on the county attorney, or if there is none, on the attorney for the Commonwealth, and on the chairman of the board of supervisors of the county or counties within which the town lies that it will, on a given day, petition the circuit court for a grant of city status. The notice served on each official shall include a certified copy of the ordinance. A copy of the notice and ordinance, or a descriptive summary of the notice and ordinance and a reference to the place within the town where copies of the notice and ordinance may be examined, shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the town and county, or counties, in which the town is situated. The notice and ordinance shall be returned after service to the clerk of the circuit court. Certification from the owner, editor or manager of the newspaper publishing the notice and ordinance shall be proof of publication.
Va. Code § 15.2-3803