Short answer. Cases go to the General District Court. Who carries out a lockout: sheriff.
At a glance
- Court
- General District Court. The general district court; the summons is issued by a magistrate, clerk or judge of that court.
"Summons for unlawful detainer issued by magistrate or clerk or judge of a general district court"
Source 1 - Hearing after filing
- The summons is served at least 10 days before the return day, and the first hearing is no more than 21 days after filing.
"the initial hearing on such summons shall occur as soon as practicable, but not more than 21 days from the date of filing."
Source 1 - Judgment to writ
- On the landlord's request the judge orders the writ of eviction to issue as soon as judgment is entered.
"the judge shall further order that the writ of eviction issue immediately upon entry of judgment for possession."
Source 1 - Writ to lockout
- The sheriff can't evict before the 10-day appeal period ends, and serves notice at least 72 hours before executing the writ.
"In no case, however, shall the sheriff evict the defendant from the dwelling unit prior to the expiration"
Source 1 - Who carries out the lockout
- Sheriff. The sheriff serves notice and executes the writ of eviction.
"In no case, however, shall the sheriff evict the defendant from the dwelling unit prior to the expiration"
Source 1 - Paying to stop the case
- In a case based only on unpaid rent, the tenant (or someone for the tenant) can pay all amounts on the summons, including the sheriff's fees, to the landlord, the landlord's attorney or the court at least 48 hours before the scheduled eviction.
"no less than 48 hours before the date and time scheduled by the sheriff for the eviction"
Source 3
Sample timeline: filed Monday, December 7, 2026
Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
- Answer or appear: no date (Not confirmed on an official page)
- Hearing or trial: Thursday, December 17, 2026
- Judgment: Thursday, December 17, 2026
- Writ or warrant of possession: Thursday, December 17, 2026
- Earliest lockout: Sunday, December 27, 2026
Another date: open the estimator.
Help the official pages point to
- In a case based only on unpaid rent, the tenant (or someone for the tenant) can pay all amounts on the summons, including the sheriff's fees, to the landlord, the landlord's attorney or the court at least 48 hours before the scheduled eviction.
Worth knowing
The writ must be requested within 180 days of judgment and is vacated if not executed within 30 days of issuance.
Not stated on the pages we read: filing fee, time to answer or appear, right to counsel (statewide), diversion or mediation (statewide).
Official sources
- Code of Virginia, Title 8.01, Chapter 3, Article 13 (Unlawful Entry and Detainer) (checked November 2026)
- Code of Virginia 8.01-471: Time period for issuing writs of eviction (checked November 2026)
- Virginia Judicial System: Form DC-469, Request for Writ of Eviction in Unlawful Detainer Proceedings (07/23) (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Not a court form. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
Common questions
Which court hears eviction cases in Virginia?
General District Court. The general district court; the summons is issued by a magistrate, clerk or judge of that court.
How soon after filing is the Virginia hearing?
The summons is served at least 10 days before the return day, and the first hearing is no more than 21 days after filing. That's the statute's window; the court's own calendar decides the actual date.
When can a Virginia landlord get the writ after winning?
On the landlord's request the judge orders the writ of eviction to issue as soon as judgment is entered.
How long between the writ and a lockout in Virginia?
The sheriff can't evict before the 10-day appeal period ends, and serves notice at least 72 hours before executing the writ.
Who carries out an eviction in Virginia?
Sheriff. The sheriff serves notice and executes the writ of eviction. The officer acts on the court's order.
Can paying the rent stop a Virginia eviction case?
In a case based only on unpaid rent, the tenant (or someone for the tenant) can pay all amounts on the summons, including the sheriff's fees, to the landlord, the landlord's attorney or the court at least 48 hours before the scheduled eviction.
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