Civil Process

For up to date details on Arlington County Court procedures on COVID-19, please visit www.arlingtonva.us.

Evictions

  • Hours: Mon.-Fri., 6 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Phone: 703-228-4480
  • Fax: 703-228-4574
  • Address: 1425 North Courthouse Road, #9100, Arlington, VA 22201

Fees

  • Fees are mandated by the State of Virginia
  • In-State: $12 per person (Paperwork issued in Virginia)
  • Out-of-State: $75 per person (Paperwork issued outside of Virginia)
  • No fee for serving protective orders
  • Cash or Checks ONLY  (Checks are to be made payable to “Sheriff of Arlington County”

Process

  • Landlord initiates five-day pay or quit process or thirty-day notice if the tenant violates lease agreement.
    • The notice must be served by a Sheriff’s Office employee, anyone over age eighteen with no personal interest in the matter, or certified mail.
  • If the tenant does not comply, the General District Court may issue a summons.
    • Summons must be served by Sheriff’s Office personnel and court date must permit both tenant and landlord to appear.
  • If a judgment is rendered in favor of the landlord, a Writ of Possession is issued, followed by a ten-day period for the tenant to appeal.

Eviction Rules

  • Sheriff’s Office has up to 30 days to execute an eviction.
  • Sheriff’s Deputy coordinates schedule with the landlord.
  • Tenants are given a minimum of 72 hours’ notice.
  • The Sheriff’s Office reserves the right to postpone due to inclement weather.
  • The landlord must arrive on time; Deputy need not wait longer than 10 minutes after the scheduled time.
  • Landlord or his agents must not enter dwelling until the Deputy has arrived. Doing so results in the cancellation of both Writ and eviction.