All Laws Decoded

Eviction in Prince William County, Virginia

Where eviction cases are filed in Prince William County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Prince William County

Eviction court
Prince William General District Court — General District Court (Virginia) Court page
Filing fee
$52 filing cost + $12 for each person served; writ of possession: $25 for the first defendant + $12 for each additional defendant Virginia General District Court Manual, ch. 9 fee schedule (Va. Code §§ 16.1-69.48:2, 17.1-272, 17.1-278)
Notice before filing (state law)
14-day written pay-or-quit notice. Virginia rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$2,246/month HUD
Renter households
40,363 (26% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Prince William County

Eviction cases in Prince William County are heard by the Prince William General District Court (General District Court (Virginia)).

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center

Clerk's office hours 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Unlawful detainer dockets (Courtroom 1): Mon 9:00 a.m. attorney UD returns and trials; Tue 9:00 a.m. self-represented (pro se) UD returns and trials; Wed 9:00 a.m. pro se UD trials; Fri 1:30 p.m. attorney UD trials. Attorney UD returns are also heard Fridays 1:00 p.m. in Courtroom 6.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Prince William County

$52 filing cost + $12 for each person served; writ of possession: $25 for the first defendant + $12 for each additional defendant

Statewide components: $36 civil processing fee (Va. Code § 16.1-69.48:2), $10 Legal Aid Services Fund (§ 17.1-278), and law library and courthouse maintenance fees set by each locality (combined maximum $4), so the exact filing total can differ slightly by court; confirm with the clerk. Sheriff fees are $12 per person served and $25 to serve a writ of possession plus $12 per additional defendant (§ 17.1-272). An indigent Virginia resident may ask to proceed without paying fees.

Source: Virginia General District Court Manual, ch. 9 fee schedule (Va. Code §§ 16.1-69.48:2, 17.1-272, 17.1-278)

The Virginia eviction process

Virginia state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Prince William County:

  1. Written termination notice (14-day pay-or-quit for nonpayment; 21/30-day or 30-day notice for breach)
  2. File unlawful detainer (sworn statement) with the general district court; summons served at least 10 days before the return date
  3. Initial hearing (return date) as soon as practicable, no more than 21 days after filing (no later than 30 days); tenant may redeem by paying the full balance by the return date
  4. Judgment for possession
  5. Writ of eviction requested within 180 days of judgment; writ vacated if not executed within 30 days of issuance
  6. Sheriff serves notice at least 72 hours before executing the writ; tenant may cancel the eviction by paying the full balance at least 48 hours before the scheduled eviction

Full Virginia eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Prince William County

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$1,953
1 bedroom$2,015
2 bedrooms$2,246
3 bedrooms$2,835
4 bedrooms$3,332

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Prince William County: $2,067/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

Metro-wide FMRs shown. HUD designates this area for Small Area FMRs (ZIP-code-level) for Housing Choice Voucher programs; ZIP-level values are on the county summary page.

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant or fair-housing ordinance identified.

Eviction help in Prince William County

Free legal help

Other Virginia counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Prince William County?
Eviction cases in Prince William County are filed with the Prince William General District Court.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Prince William County?
$52 filing cost + $12 for each person served; writ of possession: $25 for the first defendant + $12 for each additional defendant.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Prince William County?
Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV).
What is the fair market rent in Prince William County?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $2,246 per month (1-bedroom: $2,015).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.