# How to File DC-CV-081 (Warrant of Restitution) in Maryland: The 2026 Field-by-Field Filing Guide After judgment for possession, the warrant of restitution is what actually gets the sheriff to the door. DC-CV-081 is the petition that asks the court for that authority. This is the 2026 field-by-field walkthrough of the form, the 7-business-day wait that precedes it, and the two 60-day clocks that run from the day it is signed. - Published: 2026-06-11 (updated 2026-06-11) - Author: Jordan Walsh - Canonical: https://www.evictpro.us/blog/dc-cv-081-warrant-restitution-how-to-file --- DC-CV-081 is the form that turns a judgment for possession into an actual eviction. Without a signed warrant of restitution, the sheriff has no authority to act. This is the 2026 field-by-field walkthrough of the petition, the 7-business-day wait that precedes it, the two 60-day clocks that run from the moment of signing, and the common errors that get the petition rejected at the clerk's window. - **7 bus. days**: post-trial wait (before filing) - **60 days × 2**: separate FTPR clocks (file + execute) - **$40-$50**: filing fee (by District Court) > The DC-CV-082 starts the case. The DC-CV-081 ends it. Get the petition right and the sheriff is at the door in two to three weeks. Get any of the timing wrong and the judgment goes back to zero. **The short version:** Wait at least until the seventh business day after trial. Fill out DC-CV-081 with the case number from the judgment, the parties, the property address, and any post-judgment changes. File at the same District Court that entered the judgment. Pay the $40 to $50 fee. Watch the two 60-day clocks under § 8-401(f)(1)(ii) and (iii): order within 60 days of judgment, execute within 60 days of signing. Miss either and the judgment is stricken. The warrant of restitution is governed by [Md. Code, Real Property § 8-401](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-401&enactments=false) and Maryland Rule 3-647. The form itself, [DC-CV-081, Petition for Warrant of Restitution](https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/district/forms/civil/dccv081.pdf), was revised in July 2026 to clarify that the 60-day deadlines described below apply specifically to Failure to Pay Rent cases and not to Tenant Holding Over, Breach of Lease, or Wrongful Detainer actions. Use the current form; older copies may have outdated language. For the broader warrant-stage timeline and how the two 60-day clocks interact with the redemption right, see [Maryland Warrant of Restitution Timeline](/blog/maryland-warrant-of-restitution-timeline). For the upstream complaint form, see [How to Fill Out DC-CV-082](/blog/dc-cv-082-how-to-fill-out). ## Before You Open the Form DC-CV-081 is the third step, not the first. Do not fill it out until you have all of the following: - **A judgment for possession** entered against the tenant on DC-CV-082 - **The seventh business day after trial** has arrived (the earliest the petition can be filed). Under [§ 8-401(f)(1)(i)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-401&enactments=false), the statute sets this wait at 7 days, treated in practice as 7 business days under Md. Rule 1-203 (intermediate weekends and legal holidays are not counted). - **No valid redemption tender** has been received from the tenant (under § 8-401(h)(1), redemption is available up to actual execution; if a tender comes in before signing, accept it and do not file) - **The original judgment order or case number** from the court record - **The filing fee** in cash, check, or money order ($40 to $50) If any of those are missing, fix them before walking into the clerk's office. Premature filing is the most common cause of DC-CV-081 rejection at the window. ## DC-CV-081, Field by Field The petition is short, typically one page in most counties. Each field has a specific purpose. ### Section 1: Court Selection File at the same District Court that entered the underlying judgment. The warrant follows the judgment; you cannot file the warrant in a different jurisdiction. - **Baltimore City** judgments → file at 500 N. Calvert Street (relocated from 501 E. Fayette Street effective October 14, 2025) - **Baltimore County** judgments → file at the same Baltimore County District Court that heard the case (Towson, Catonsville, Essex, or Dundalk) - **Other counties** → file at the District Court that issued the judgment ### Section 2: Case Number Copy the case number from the underlying DC-CV-082 judgment exactly. This is how the clerk matches the warrant petition to the case file. A wrong or missing case number is an immediate rejection. ### Section 3: Plaintiff (Landlord) Information Use the same plaintiff identification that appeared on the DC-CV-082. If the plaintiff is an LLC, the LLC remains the plaintiff on the warrant petition. Do not switch from personal name to LLC or vice versa between filings. For the LLC representation rules under § 10-206(b)(4), see [Can a Landlord Evict Without a Lawyer in Maryland?](/blog/can-landlord-evict-without-lawyer-maryland). ### Section 4: Defendant (Tenant) Information List every defendant from the original DC-CV-082 judgment, in the same form (full legal name as on the lease and as the court recorded). If a tenant has moved out between judgment and warrant filing, list them anyway; the warrant authorizes possession restoration regardless of who is currently in the unit. ### Section 5: Property Address The property address exactly as it appeared on the DC-CV-082 and on the judgment. Include the unit number for multi-unit properties. Mismatched addresses between the complaint and the warrant create execution problems for the sheriff later. ### Section 6: Post-Judgment Updates (When Applicable) If anything material has changed between the judgment and the warrant filing, the petition may include a brief update. The most common updates: - **Partial post-judgment payment** received from the tenant (reduces the money judgment but typically does not stop the warrant unless it constitutes a full redemption tender) - **Tenant has already vacated** the property (the warrant may still be appropriate to confirm possession but the sheriff execution may be unnecessary) - **Substitution of plaintiff** (rare; typically requires a separate motion before the warrant petition) Most warrant petitions do not need post-judgment updates. The form does not always have a labeled field for them; if updates are material, file a short supplementary affidavit alongside the petition. ### Section 7: Signature The landlord (or the attorney of record, for LLCs above the small-claims threshold under § 4-405 of the Courts Article; currently $5,000) signs the petition. Maryland Rule 1-311 requires that every pleading by a represented party be signed by a Maryland-admitted attorney. For pro se filings, the party signs personally. ### Section 8: The Judge's Order This section is for the court, not the filer. The judge signs this part after reviewing the petition, which converts the petition into a signed warrant authorizing the sheriff to execute. The 60-day execution clock under § 8-401(f)(1)(iii) starts running on the date of the judge's signature. ## Filing Fee and Payment The DC-CV-081 filing fee runs $40 to $50 depending on the specific District Court. The Maryland statewide fee schedule is published at [mdcourts.gov/courts/feeschedules](https://www.mdcourts.gov/courts/feeschedules). Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order at most clerks' offices; some clerks accept card. For Baltimore City, the typical DC-CV-081 fee is $40 plus any applicable surcharge. Check the current fee at filing rather than relying on this estimate. ## Where to File The warrant petition must be filed at the **same District Court that entered the underlying judgment**. The court that has the case file is the court that signs the warrant. | Property location | Filing court | | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Baltimore City | District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City (500 N. Calvert Street) | | Baltimore County | The specific Baltimore County District Court that entered the judgment (Towson, Catonsville, Essex, Dundalk) | | Other counties | The District Court that entered the judgment | Filing in the wrong court is rejection, not transfer. The clerk returns the petition; the 60-day clock under § 8-401(f)(1)(ii) keeps running. ## The Two 60-Day Clocks (Critical) The single most important set of dates in the entire warrant stage. Memorize both. ### Clock 1: File Within 60 Days of Judgment Under § 8-401(f)(1)(ii), the warrant must be **ordered (filed)** within 60 days of the later of: - The date of the judgment for possession, or - The expiration of any stay of execution granted by the court If the warrant is not filed within that window, the judgment is stricken. The case starts over from the 10-day Notice of Intent. The landlord loses 60+ days of timeline and the original filing fee. ### Clock 2: Execute Within 60 Days of Signing Under § 8-401(f)(1)(iii), once the judge signs the warrant, the sheriff must **execute** within 60 days. If not, the warrant expires AND the judgment for possession is stricken. Same full refile, same loss of timeline. This second clock is the more common worst-case risk because it depends on sheriff scheduling, which can be affected by weather, sheriff workload, tenant emergencies, or rescheduling requests. Track the signing date and plan against the 60-day execution window from day one. **Two clocks, two ways to lose:** Clock 1 is in the landlord's control: file the warrant on time. Clock 2 is largely in the sheriff's control: sheriff scheduling drives execution. Watch both. Both can void the judgment. For the full warrant-stage timeline including sheriff scheduling variances by jurisdiction, see [Maryland Warrant of Restitution Timeline](/blog/maryland-warrant-of-restitution-timeline). ## Common Errors That Get DC-CV-081 Rejected The five errors that most often produce a clerk's window rejection or a court vacatur of the warrant: 1. **Filing before the seventh business day after trial.** The most common rejection cause. Count business days from the trial date; weekend and holidays do not count. 2. **Wrong court.** Filing the warrant petition at a District Court that did not enter the underlying judgment. 3. **Case number mismatch.** Wrong case number on the petition, or no case number at all. 4. **Plaintiff identity mismatch.** Personal-name filing on a judgment that was entered against an LLC, or vice versa. 5. **Missing filing fee.** Petition submitted without payment. The clerk does not process the petition until the fee is received. Each of these is a same-day fix in most cases. Resubmit with the defect cured. The 60-day filing clock keeps running through rejection, so move quickly. ## What Happens After the Judge Signs Once the warrant is signed, the case moves into the sheriff scheduling phase: - **Baltimore City Sheriff:** 1 to 2 weeks from signing to execution typical - **Baltimore County Sheriff:** 2 to 3 weeks typical - **Other counties:** 2 to 3 weeks; rural counties can run 3 to 4 The sheriff's office contacts the landlord (or representative) with the scheduled date. Confirm the date the day before. Have a locksmith on call. For the day-of-execution mechanics, see [Maryland Warrant of Restitution Timeline](/blog/maryland-warrant-of-restitution-timeline). Throughout this phase, the tenant's redemption right under § 8-401(h)(1) continues to run. A valid tender (cash, certified check, or money order for the full court-determined amount) received any time before actual execution stops the warrant. The warrant does not extinguish the redemption right. For the full redemption mechanics including the tender-handling workflow on eviction day, see [Right of Redemption in Maryland](/blog/right-of-redemption-maryland-tenant). ## How EvictPro Handles DC-CV-081 EvictPro's Warrant of Restitution stage is $199, court filing fee included. The platform tracks every clock and surfaces required actions at the right times. ### What the platform tracks - **7-business-day post-trial wait** with automatic eligibility flagging on day 5 - **60-day filing clock** under § 8-401(f)(1)(ii) with countdown alerts at 30, 14, and 7 days remaining - **Warrant signing date** captured from court records - **60-day execution clock** under § 8-401(f)(1)(iii) with the same countdown alerts - **Sheriff scheduling** coordination per county - **Redemption tender documentation** for any tender received during the warrant pendency ### Stage-based pricing (court fees inclusive) - **Notice of Intent:** $0 - **Filing with Court:** $99 (DC-CV-082 prep, filing, court fee) - **Court Hearing:** $249 - **Warrant of Restitution:** $199 (DC-CV-081 prep, filing, court fee, both 60-day clocks tracked) - **Sheriff Scheduling:** $75 - **Eviction Day:** $225 Or bundle with **Full Eviction Service: $749**. Pay only for the stages you need. Court fees inside the stage prices. **See stage-by-stage pricing**: https://www.evictpro.us/pricing **Not legal advice**: This article is general educational information about Maryland landlord-tenant law and procedure. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, court fees, and local rules change over time. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed Maryland attorney or a qualified housing counselor. **Related reading:** - [Maryland Warrant of Restitution Timeline](/blog/maryland-warrant-of-restitution-timeline) - [How to Fill Out DC-CV-082: A Field-by-Field Maryland Filing Guide](/blog/dc-cv-082-how-to-fill-out) - [Right of Redemption in Maryland](/blog/right-of-redemption-maryland-tenant) - [The Maryland FTPR Process, Step by Step](/blog/ftpr-maryland-process-step-by-step) - [How Long Does an Eviction Take in Maryland?](/blog/how-long-does-eviction-take-in-maryland) - [Can a Landlord Evict Without a Lawyer in Maryland?](/blog/can-landlord-evict-without-lawyer-maryland) Ready to move from judgment to sheriff execution without losing the timeline to a clock miss? Start with a Notice of Intent that locks the timestamps into the case file from day one: **Generate your Maryland 10-day Notice of Intent now**: https://www.evictpro.us/notice-of-intent ## Frequently asked questions ### What is DC-CV-081 in Maryland? DC-CV-081 is the Petition for Warrant of Restitution form used in Maryland District Court Failure to Pay Rent cases. It is filed after a judgment for possession is entered against the tenant, after the tenant's redemption window has had time to run, and before the sheriff can be scheduled to execute the eviction. The form asks the court to authorize a sheriff or constable to physically restore possession of the rental property to the landlord. ### How long after judgment can I file DC-CV-081? Maryland practice requires the landlord to wait until at least the seventh business day after trial before filing DC-CV-081. The wait gives the tenant time to exercise the right of redemption under Md. Code, Real Property § 8-401(h)(1) or to file an appeal. Filing before the seventh business day is grounds for the petition to be rejected at the clerk's window or vacated by the court. ### What is the filing fee for DC-CV-081? The DC-CV-081 filing fee runs $40 to $50 depending on the specific District Court. Baltimore City charges $40; some outlying counties run slightly higher. The fee is paid at the clerk's office when you submit the petition. EvictPro's Warrant of Restitution stage is $199 with the court filing fee included; no separate billing for the $40 to $50 the clerk collects. ### What is the 60-day clock for the warrant of restitution? Maryland law sets two 60-day deadlines specific to Failure to Pay Rent cases. Under Md. Code, Real Property § 8-401(f)(1)(ii), the landlord must order (file) the warrant within 60 days of the judgment date, or the expiration of any stay of execution. Under § 8-401(f)(1)(iii), once the warrant is signed by the judge, it must be executed within 60 days, or the warrant expires and the judgment for possession is stricken. Miss either deadline and the case typically has to be refiled from the 10-day Notice of Intent. ### What documents do I need to file with DC-CV-081? The petition itself, the filing fee, and proof that the underlying judgment was entered (the court clerk's records will reflect this, but bringing your copy of the judgment order is sound practice). For Baltimore City filings, the current rental license and lead paint certificate (pre-1978 properties) may be checked by the clerk. The court's signed warrant becomes the operative document; the petition is the request that produces it. ### Can I file DC-CV-081 electronically in Maryland? MDEC (Maryland Electronic Courts) supports e-filing for many civil case types, but Baltimore City rent court has historically required in-person filing (currently at 500 N. Calvert Street, relocated from 501 E. Fayette Street effective October 14, 2025). Outlying counties vary. Check your specific District Court's current filing rules before assuming e-filing is available for warrant of restitution petitions. ### Does DC-CV-081 work the same way for non-FTPR cases? No. The 60-day deadlines under § 8-401(f) apply specifically to Failure to Pay Rent cases. Tenant Holding Over actions under § 8-402, Breach of Lease actions, and Wrongful Detainer actions use different procedural pathways with different post-judgment timing rules. The July 2026 revision of DC-CV-081 added explicit language on the form to clarify that the 60-day clocks are FTPR-specific. For holdover, see the Maryland holdover tenant eviction guide. ### What happens if my DC-CV-081 is rejected at the clerk's window? Most rejections trace back to one of three issues: filing before the seventh business day after trial, missing the underlying judgment in the court record, or filing in a jurisdiction other than the one that entered the judgment. The clerk will return the petition with a note explaining the defect. Cure the defect and resubmit promptly: the 60-day filing clock under § 8-401(f)(1)(ii) keeps running from the judgment date regardless of rejection.