What is a writ of possession in Texas?

A writ of possession is a court order issued under Texas Property Code §24.0061 that authorizes a constable to remove a tenant and return possession of the property to the landlord. It is the final step in a successful eviction — it cannot be issued until after the 5-day appeal window from the JP-court judgment has passed.

How long does a writ of possession take in Dallas?

In Dallas County, a writ is typically issued 6 days after the JP-court judgment (after the 5-day appeal window closes), then the constable posts a 24-hour notice on the property before executing the lockout. From judgment to lockout, expect roughly 7–14 days depending on the precinct's constable schedule.

How do I stop a writ of possession in Texas?

A tenant can stop a writ of possession by (1) filing an appeal to county court within 5 days of the JP judgment and posting an appeal bond or filing a Statement of Inability, or (2) paying the full judgment plus costs before the writ is executed if the lease and judgment permit. After the 24-hour constable notice is posted, only a court order can halt execution.

Can a writ of possession be appealed?

The writ itself is not appealed — the underlying JP-court judgment is. A tenant has 5 calendar days from the date of the judgment to file an appeal to Dallas County Court at Law. If the appeal is timely and bond requirements are met, the writ cannot be issued until the county-court case is resolved.

What happens after the writ of possession is posted?

After the constable posts the 24-hour notice, the tenant has until the execution time to vacate. At execution, the constable supervises while the landlord (or movers the landlord arranges) changes the locks and moves the tenant's personal property to a nearby location as required by §24.0061(d). The landlord then has legal possession.

How much does a writ of possession cost in Dallas County?

Under the Dallas County Justice Court eviction fee schedule effective January 1, 2026, a writ of possession costs $400 plus a $5 filing fee ($405 total), paid to the JP court when the writ is requested in person. The eviction suit filing plus service on one defendant costs $134; each additional defendant costs $80. Movers and a locksmith on lockout day are the landlord's cost and vary by unit size. NTX Eviction's coordination fee is separate from these court and lockout-day costs.

What do I need to have ready on Dallas lockout day?

Dallas County constables supervise but do not move property. Have an authorized representative present at the scheduled execution time, a locksmith or new locks ready, and enough movers for the unit size. Missing any of these usually means the constable cancels and you wait for the next opening on that precinct's calendar.

Dallas County Landlords

Writ of Possession in Dallas County

The final step of a Dallas eviction. We prepare the writ, file it in the correct JP precinct, and coordinate the constable lockout under Texas Property Code §24.0061.

Call 214-206-4229 Request the writ

What Is a Writ of Possession in Dallas?

A writ of possession is the court order that lets a Dallas County constable return a rental to the landlord after an eviction judgment. Under Texas Property Code §24.0061 it can be issued no sooner than the sixth day after the judgment. In Dallas County you request it in person at the Justice of the Peace court that entered the judgment and pay $405 ($400 writ fee + $5 filing fee, 2026 fee schedule). The constable then posts a 24-hour notice on the door before supervising the lockout — typically 7 to 14 days after the judgment.

The constable posts a 24-hour notice on the door, then returns to supervise the lockout: locks are changed and the tenant's personal property is moved to a nearby location as required by §24.0061(d). At that point the landlord has legal possession.

Dallas Writ of Possession Timeline

From JP-court judgment to lockout — what each step looks like in Dallas County.

1. JP-court judgment
Day 0
Landlord wins a judgment for possession in the Dallas County JP court where the property sits.
2. 5-day appeal window
Days 1 – 5
Tenant has 5 calendar days to file an appeal bond. No writ can issue during this window.
3. Writ of possession issued
Day 6+
If no appeal is filed, request the writ in person at the Dallas County JP court that entered the judgment; writ requests are exempt from e-filing. Pay $405 ($400 writ fee + $5 filing fee, 2026 fee schedule) to that court when requesting the writ. It can be issued no sooner than the sixth day after judgment.
4. Constable posts 24-hour notice
Day 7 – 10
The Dallas County constable posts written notice on the front door — tenant has 24 hours to vacate.
5. Lockout & possession
Day 8 – 14
Constable supervises the lockout. Landlord changes the locks; tenant's property is moved per §24.0061(d).

Dallas County JP Courts Where Writs Are Filed

Dallas County has 5 JP precincts with 2 courts (places) each — 10 courts total. File the writ in the same JP court that entered your judgment — the court and its constable are listed on your judgment paperwork.

Dallas County Writ Filing Nuances Landlords Miss

The statute is statewide, but Dallas County practice decides how fast you actually get possession. These are the details that most often add days or force a second trip to the courthouse.

Judgment precinct controls — not the property address alone

The writ must be requested from the same Dallas County JP court that granted possession. If the eviction was filed in the wrong precinct and re-filed, the writ follows the court that actually entered the judgment, and that precinct's constable executes it.

Writs are requested, not automatic

Dallas JP courts do not issue a writ on their own after the appeal window closes. The landlord (or our office) must submit a written writ request and pay the issuance fee before the clerk prepares it for the constable.

File the writ request in person

Dallas County JP courts list writs of possession as exempt from e-filing, so the writ request must be filed in person at the JP court that entered the judgment.

Dallas County e-filing exemptions

Constable scheduling drives the real lockout date

Each precinct constable runs its own lockout calendar. Precincts 1, 3 and 5 often schedule executions in morning blocks, so a writ issued late in the week commonly lands on the next week's calendar — the single biggest source of Dallas delays.

Landlord presence and labor are required at execution

Dallas County constables supervise; they do not move property. The landlord must have an authorized representative, a locksmith or lock change, and enough movers on site, or the execution is cancelled and must be rescheduled.

Writs have a limited life once issued

A writ that is not executed within its return period must be re-issued, with a new fee. If a tenant vacates mid-process, ask the court to return the writ unexecuted rather than letting it lapse.

SB 38 changed 2026 filings

For eviction suits filed on or after January 1, 2026, tighter notice and appeal-bond rules apply, and a tenant who misses the county-court registry deposit can lose the appeal without an added hearing — which accelerates when the writ becomes available.

Writ of Possession vs. Eviction Order vs. Lockout

Three terms that get confused — here's how they differ in Dallas County.

Eviction order (judgment)

The JP court's ruling that the landlord is entitled to possession. By itself, it does not remove anyone.

Writ of possession

The enforceable court order, issued after the 5-day appeal window, directing the constable to remove the tenant.

Lockout

The physical act of executing the writ — constable supervises while locks are changed and property is moved.

Typical Dallas County costs

Writ of possession (JP court)$405 ($400 + $5)
Eviction suit + service on one defendant$134
Each additional defendant$80
Movers / locksmith (landlord's cost)Varies by unit size

The $400 writ fee plus $5 filing fee ($405 total) is paid to the JP court when the writ is requested. NTX Eviction's coordination fee is separate.

Source: Dallas County Justice Court eviction fees, effective January 1, 2026 — 2026 eviction fee schedule (PDF) and official filing fees.

Why Dallas Landlords Use NTX Eviction for the Writ

§24.0061 Compliance

Writs prepared to the exact requirements of the Texas Property Code — no rejected filings for technical defects.

Correct JP Precinct

Dallas County has 5 JP precincts with 2 courts each. We file the writ in person at the same court that entered the judgment so the precinct's constable executes it.

Flat-Fee Coordination

One flat fee covers writ preparation, filing, and constable scheduling — no hourly billing surprises.

Lockout-Day Coordination

We line up the constable execution time and confirm landlord and mover availability so the lockout happens on the first try.

Contact NTX Eviction

2253 Chasefield Dr, Plano, TX 75023 · Plano, TX, US
214-206-4229
info@ntxeviction.com
Mon–Fri · 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM CT

Service area: 8 North Texas counties (Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin, Rockwall, Kaufman, Grayson, Ellis). Same name, address, and phone shown across our site, Google Business Profile, and directory listings.

Dallas Writ of Possession FAQs

Common questions from Dallas County landlords and tenants.

Last verified: October 7, 2026 against Dallas County Justice Court sources.

Sources

Related Services

Writ of Possession (statewide)Eviction Attorney Dallas Eviction Appeal

Ready to File the Writ in Dallas County?

We'll prepare the writ, file in the correct JP precinct, and coordinate the constable lockout from start to finish.

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Writ of Possession in Dallas County

What Is a Writ of Possession in Dallas?

Dallas Writ of Possession Timeline

1. JP-court judgment

2. 5-day appeal window

3. Writ of possession issued

4. Constable posts 24-hour notice

5. Lockout & possession

Dallas County JP Courts Where Writs Are Filed

JP Precinct 1, Place 1

JP Precinct 1, Place 2

JP Precinct 2, Place 1

JP Precinct 2, Place 2

JP Precinct 3, Place 1

JP Precinct 3, Place 2

JP Precinct 4, Place 1

JP Precinct 4, Place 2

JP Precinct 5, Place 1

JP Precinct 5, Place 2