Florida Form 1.922 is the Writ of Possession, the court-issued command that tells the sheriff to remove a tenant and return the property to the landlord after the landlord wins an eviction judgment. You fill it out by entering the case caption, the names of the parties, the property address, and the date of judgment, then you file it with the clerk who issues it under seal and forwards it to the sheriff for the 24-hour posting required by Florida Statute § 83.62.
According to the Florida Courts Annual Report, Florida county courts process more than 80,000 residential eviction filings each year, and the writ of possession is the final step in nearly every contested case. Getting the form right matters because a single mistake on the caption, the property description, or the judgment date can force the clerk to reject it, and every day of delay is a day the landlord cannot re-rent the unit.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every line of Form 1.922 without triggering a clerk rejection
- ⚖️ The federal and Florida statutes that control how the writ is issued and served
- 🏠 Three real-world named examples covering single-family, multi-unit, and commercial evictions
- ⏱️ The exact 24-hour timeline the sheriff follows after posting the writ
- 🚫 The seven most common mistakes that delay or void a writ of possession
What Florida Form 1.922 Actually Is
Florida Form 1.922 is the standard Writ of Possession approved by the Florida Supreme Court and published as part of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure Forms. It is a one-page court order, signed by the clerk and sealed, that directs the sheriff of the county where the property sits to remove the named defendants and place the plaintiff back in possession. The writ is not a judgment. It is the enforcement tool that follows a final judgment of eviction or a final judgment for possession of real property.
Federal law does not control eviction enforcement directly, but the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act can affect who may be removed under a writ, especially bona fide tenants in foreclosed homes. Florida law then layers on the specific procedure. The controlling statute is Florida Statute § 83.62, which says the sheriff must serve the writ within 24 hours of receipt and post it on the premises.
The consequence of treating the writ as optional or informal is severe. If a landlord tries to remove a tenant without the writ, even after winning the case, the landlord commits a self-help eviction and exposes themselves to statutory damages of three months’ rent plus attorney’s fees under Florida Statute § 83.67. A common misconception is that the final judgment alone gives the landlord the right to change the locks. It does not. Only the sheriff, acting under the sealed writ, may remove the tenant.
When the Writ Is Issued
The clerk issues the writ only after the court enters a final judgment for possession. The landlord, or the landlord’s attorney, submits the completed Form 1.922 along with a request and the required fee. The clerk then signs, seals, and routes the writ to the sheriff. If the tenant has filed a motion for rehearing or a motion to stay, the clerk holds the writ until the court rules.
The consequence of issuing the writ before the time to move for rehearing expires is that the tenant can move to quash the writ under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.550. Sarah, a landlord in Tampa, learned this when she rushed to file Form 1.922 the same day judgment was entered. The court stayed the writ for ten days because the tenant filed a timely motion for rehearing. The misconception here is that “winning” means “immediate possession.” Florida gives the tenant a brief window to challenge, and the writ must wait.
Residential Versus Commercial Use
Form 1.922 is used in both residential and commercial eviction cases, but the underlying statutes differ. Residential evictions are governed by Part II of Chapter 83, and commercial nonresidential tenancies fall under Part I of Chapter 83. The form itself is the same, but the notice requirements, the cure periods, and the sheriff’s handling of commercial inventory all change.
The consequence of using the wrong statutory basis on the underlying complaint is that the writ can be voided on appeal. For example, a commercial landlord who serves a residential three-day notice under § 83.56 instead of the proper commercial notice under § 83.20 may obtain a writ that is later vacated. The common misconception is that “an eviction is an eviction.” It is not. The procedure depends on the type of tenancy, and the writ inherits every defect in the underlying case.
Line-by-Line Walkthrough of Form 1.922
The official Form 1.922 has five core elements: the caption, the command to the sheriff, the property description, the clerk’s signature block, and the date of issuance. Every element must match the final judgment exactly. A typo in the unit number, a missing middle initial, or a wrong zip code can cause the clerk to reject the writ or the sheriff to refuse service.
The form begins with the case caption pulled from the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. You enter the name of the circuit court, the county, the case number, and the division. The plaintiff is listed exactly as named in the complaint, and so is each defendant. If “John Doe” or “Jane Doe” appeared as unknown occupants in the complaint, those names carry forward to the writ so the sheriff can remove unnamed adult occupants found on site.
The body of the form contains a single command: “YOU ARE COMMANDED to remove all persons from the following described property in [county] County, Florida…” You then insert the full street address, including unit or apartment number, city, and zip code. The legal description from the deed is optional in residential cases but recommended for commercial properties and vacant land. The form ends with the clerk’s signature line, the seal, and the date.
Caption and Case Number
The caption sits at the top and identifies the court, county, and case number. Florida county courts handle evictions where damages do not exceed $50,000, per Florida Statute § 34.01. The case number must match the number printed on the final judgment. Even a transposed digit will cause the clerk to reject the writ at intake.
The consequence of a mismatched case number is automatic rejection and a return trip to the clerk. Marcus, a property manager in Orlando, lost four business days because he copied the case number from the original summons instead of the amended complaint. The misconception is that any case number from the file will do. Only the current operative case number on the final judgment is valid.
Names of Parties
Each party must be listed exactly as on the judgment. If the lease was signed by “Robert J. Smith” but the complaint named “Bob Smith,” the writ should match whichever name appears on the final judgment. Add “and all other occupants” at the end of the defendant list to capture any adult occupants the sheriff finds on the property, a practice expressly authorized by Florida Statute § 83.62(1).
The consequence of leaving off “all other occupants” is that the sheriff may refuse to remove anyone who is not a named defendant. A common misconception is that the sheriff will sweep the property of everyone present. The sheriff acts only against named persons, so the catch-all phrase is essential in any property with roommates, family members, or subtenants.
Property Description
The address must be the exact rental address, including unit, suite, building, or lot number. For mobile home lots, include the lot number and the park name. For commercial spaces, include the suite number. The Florida Sheriffs Association instructs deputies to refuse service if the address on the writ does not match a real, identifiable unit.
The consequence of a vague description is a wasted trip and a wasted fee. Priya, a landlord with a fourplex in Jacksonville, listed only the street address on her writ. The deputy posted Unit 1 by mistake, the wrong tenant moved out, and Priya faced a wrongful-eviction claim from the innocent neighbor. The misconception is that the sheriff “knows” which unit. They do not, and they will not guess.
Clerk’s Signature and Seal
The bottom of Form 1.922 contains the clerk’s signature line and the court seal. The landlord does not sign the writ. The clerk signs it after reviewing the file and confirming a final judgment exists. The seal is what gives the writ legal force under Florida Statute § 28.13.
The consequence of accepting an unsigned or unsealed writ is that the sheriff will reject it on arrival. A common misconception is that an e-filed PDF without the raised seal is acceptable. Most counties now use electronic seals, but some sheriffs still require a certified copy with a wet seal for posting on the property.
Filing and Service Procedure
Once Form 1.922 is filled out, the landlord files it through the Florida E-Filing Portal or in person at the clerk’s office. The clerk reviews it for accuracy and, if the file shows a final judgment with no pending stay, issues the writ. The clerk then transmits the issued writ to the sheriff, either electronically or by hand delivery.
The sheriff’s office charges a service fee set by Florida Statute § 30.231, commonly $90 per writ as of 2024, though the exact amount varies by county. Some counties, like Miami-Dade, add a stand-by fee if the landlord wants deputies present during the lockout. The clerk also charges an issuance fee of around $10 under Florida Statute § 28.24.
The 24-hour clock is the most important rule. Under Florida Statute § 83.62(1), the sheriff must serve the writ within 24 hours of receipt by posting it on the premises. The tenant then has 24 hours from the posting to vacate. If the tenant remains after that window, the sheriff returns and stands by while the landlord changes the locks and removes the tenant’s personal property to the property line.
County Differences
Procedures vary across Florida’s 67 counties. Broward County requires the landlock to be scheduled in advance with the civil process division. Hillsborough County allows electronic submission of the writ directly from the clerk. Orange County and Duval County post within 24 hours but schedule the lockout itself based on deputy availability, which can mean a 3-5 day wait.
The consequence of not checking county-specific rules is wasted time. Dante, a Miami investor, assumed his Broward writ would be served the same day. He did not pre-schedule the lockout, and the deputy did not return for five days. The misconception is that “24 hours” means the lockout happens in 24 hours. It does not. The posting happens in 24 hours, and the lockout is scheduled separately in many counties.
Stays and Quashing the Writ
A tenant can move to stay the writ under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.550(b). Grounds include a pending motion for rehearing, a bankruptcy filing under 11 U.S.C. § 362, or a showing that the rent has been paid into the court registry. A bankruptcy filing imposes an automatic stay the moment the petition is filed.
The consequence of violating an automatic bankruptcy stay is steep. The landlord can be held in contempt of federal court and may owe actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees under 11 U.S.C. § 362(k). A common misconception is that a bankruptcy filing on the day of the lockout is too late. It is not. The stay takes effect the second the petition is filed, even minutes before the sheriff arrives.
Three Real-World Examples
The same Form 1.922 is used across very different situations, but the details on the form change with each case. The three examples below show how the form is completed for a single-family home, a multi-unit apartment, and a commercial space.
Example 1: Sarah and the Single-Family Home in Tampa. Sarah won a final judgment against tenant Robert Smith for nonpayment of rent on a single-family home at 412 Bayshore Drive, Tampa, FL 33606. Her completed writ names “Robert J. Smith and all other occupants” as defendants, lists the full property address with no unit number, and references case number 2024-CC-001234. The clerk issued the writ, the Hillsborough County Sheriff posted it within 18 hours, and Robert vacated the next day.
Example 2: Marcus and the Apartment in Orlando. Marcus manages a 12-unit building and obtained judgment against “Jane Doe and all unknown occupants” of Unit 7B at 200 Lake Eola Drive, Orlando, FL 32801. Because the original lease was in the name of a now-deceased tenant, Marcus used the Doe defendant procedure and listed the full unit number. The writ was posted, the unnamed occupants vacated, and the lockout occurred on day five.
Example 3: Priya and the Retail Space in Jacksonville. Priya leased a retail space at 1500 Atlantic Boulevard, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32207, to a boutique that fell behind by four months. After a commercial eviction under § 83.20, her Form 1.922 included the full legal description, the suite number, and the case number from the commercial division. The Duval County Sheriff posted, the tenant requested a 48-hour extension to remove inventory, and Priya agreed in writing before the lockout.
Scenario Tables
| Tenant Move | Sheriff Response |
|---|---|
| Tenant vacates within 24 hours of posting | Sheriff closes file; no lockout needed |
| Tenant remains after 24 hours | Sheriff returns; landlord changes locks |
| Tenant files bankruptcy before lockout | Sheriff halts; automatic stay under § 362 |
| Form Error | Clerk Outcome |
|---|---|
| Wrong case number on Form 1.922 | Writ rejected; landlord must refile |
| Missing “all other occupants” phrase | Writ issued; sheriff limits removal to named parties |
| Unsealed or unsigned form | Sheriff refuses service; writ returned |
| Landlord Action | Legal Consequence |
|---|---|
| Self-help lockout without writ | Damages of three months’ rent under § 83.67 |
| Removing tenant’s property inside the unit | Conversion claim; possible punitive damages |
| Filing writ after bankruptcy stay | Federal contempt; attorney’s fees against landlord |
Mistakes to Avoid
Filling out Form 1.922 looks simple, but the form sits at the end of a long legal process, and any defect in the case file shows up on the writ. The mistakes below are the ones that most often delay a lockout, void a writ, or expose the landlord to liability.
- Filing the writ before the rehearing window closes. Florida gives the tenant a short window to move for rehearing under Rule 1.530. Filing too early invites a motion to quash and delays the case.
- Omitting “and all other occupants.” Without that phrase, the sheriff will only remove the named defendants and any unnamed adults can stay.
- Wrong unit or suite number. The sheriff posts the wrong door, the wrong tenant is alarmed, and the right tenant gets a free week.
- Skipping the clerk’s seal. An e-filed PDF without the electronic seal is not enforceable, and most sheriffs will reject it on sight per § 28.13.
- Self-help eviction. Changing locks, shutting off power, or removing belongings without the writ triggers triple-rent damages under § 83.67.
- Ignoring a bankruptcy filing. The automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 freezes the writ, and proceeding anyway is federal contempt.
- Failing to pay the sheriff’s fee on time. Some counties cancel the writ if the fee is not paid within a set window, usually 30 days.
- Listing the wrong property type. Filing under residential statutes for a commercial tenancy, or vice versa, can void the writ on appeal.
- Using a stale judgment. A judgment is enforceable for years, but landlords should re-confirm the tenant is still in possession, especially in multi-month delays.
- Not coordinating with the lockout schedule. In counties like Broward, the lockout must be scheduled separately, and showing up without a deputy is self-help.
Do’s and Don’ts
The form is short, but the rules around it are not. The list below pairs every do and don’t with the reasoning, so a landlord can move fast without stepping on a landmine.
Do’s
- Do match every name, address, and case number to the final judgment because clerks reject writs with even minor discrepancies.
- Do include “and all other occupants” so the sheriff has authority to remove unnamed adults found on the property.
- Do pay both the clerk’s issuance fee and the sheriff’s service fee promptly because unpaid fees stall the writ.
- Do confirm the rehearing window has closed before filing because a premature writ invites a motion to quash.
- Do photograph the posting and the property condition on lockout day because evidence prevents later disputes about damage and personal property.
Don’ts
- Don’t change locks or shut off utilities without the sheriff present because self-help eviction triggers § 83.67 damages.
- Don’t remove the tenant’s belongings from inside the unit because the writ only authorizes removal to the property line, not disposal.
- Don’t proceed if the tenant files bankruptcy because the automatic stay halts every collection and eviction action immediately.
- Don’t use the wrong statute on the underlying complaint because the writ inherits every defect in the case.
- Don’t assume the sheriff will return on day two because lockouts are scheduled by deputy availability, not by the 24-hour posting clock.
Pros and Cons of Using Form 1.922
Form 1.922 is the only lawful path to retake possession after a tenant refuses to leave. It carries real advantages, but it also has built-in costs, delays, and risks that landlords should weigh before pulling the trigger.
Pros
- Provides the only lawful enforcement mechanism under Florida Statute § 83.62, which protects the landlord from self-help liability.
- Engages the sheriff to act as a neutral party, which reduces the risk of physical confrontation at the door.
- Carries a 24-hour service rule, the fastest enforcement timeline of any state-court remedy in Florida.
- Includes catch-all language for unnamed occupants, which prevents repeat lockouts when subtenants or relatives are present.
- Survives appeals unless stayed, so the tenant cannot delay possession indefinitely by filing routine motions.
Cons
- Requires a final judgment first, which can take weeks if the tenant contests the case.
- Costs the landlord both clerk and sheriff fees, often $100 to $150 combined, depending on county.
- Cannot bypass a bankruptcy stay, so a last-minute Chapter 7 or 13 filing can freeze the process for months.
- Limits removal to people, not property, leaving the landlord to handle abandoned belongings under § 715.104.
- Depends on deputy scheduling, which means the lockout itself may take days even after the 24-hour posting.
Recap of Key Court Rulings
Florida appellate courts have shaped how Form 1.922 is used. In Coral Wood Page, Inc. v. GRE Coral Wood, LP, the court emphasized that a writ of possession is the exclusive remedy for restoring possession after a final judgment, and self-help is not available. The ruling reinforced that even when a tenant clearly defaults, the landlord must wait for the writ.
In K.D. Lewis Enterprises Corp. v. Smith, the court held that a tenant who pays disputed rent into the court registry under § 83.60(2) is entitled to a hearing before the writ can issue. Skipping that step is reversible error. The case is a reminder that the writ depends on a clean underlying judgment.
Federal bankruptcy courts have weighed in too. In In re Convenient Food Mart No. 144, Inc., the court reinforced that the automatic stay applies the moment the petition is filed, even if the sheriff is already at the door. A landlord who proceeds anyway faces federal sanctions on top of state remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form 1.922 the same in every Florida county?
Yes. Form 1.922 is a statewide Florida Supreme Court form, but local clerks and sheriffs handle filing, scheduling, and fees differently across the 67 counties.
Can a landlord serve the writ themselves?
No. Only the sheriff of the county where the property sits may serve the writ under Florida Statute § 83.62, and landlord self-service is an unlawful self-help eviction.
Does the tenant get 24 hours to leave after posting?
Yes. Under § 83.62(1), the tenant must vacate within 24 hours of posting, after which the sheriff returns to oversee the lockout.
Can a tenant stop the writ by paying rent late?
No. Once a final judgment has been entered, late payment does not automatically halt the writ unless the court grants a motion for relief under Rule 1.540.
Does bankruptcy stop the writ of possession?
Yes. Filing bankruptcy triggers the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362, which halts the writ until the bankruptcy court grants relief from stay.
Can the landlord keep the tenant’s belongings?
No. The writ authorizes removal to the property line only, and abandoned property must be handled under Florida Statute § 715.104, with proper written notice.
Is Form 1.922 used in commercial evictions?
Yes. The same form applies to both residential and commercial cases, though the underlying statutes differ between Part I and Part II of Chapter 83.
Can the writ be served on a weekend?
Yes. The 24-hour clock under § 83.62 runs continuously, and most sheriff civil divisions post writs on Saturdays, though lockouts are usually scheduled on weekdays.
Does the landlord need an attorney to file Form 1.922?
No. Individual landlords may file pro se using the Florida self-help eviction forms, but corporate landlords must generally be represented by counsel in court.
Can the writ be reissued if the sheriff misses the 24-hour window?
Yes. If the sheriff fails to act, the landlord may file a motion to compel or request reissuance, and the clerk will issue a new writ at no additional clerk fee in most counties.
Does the writ expire?
No. A writ of possession does not expire on its face, but most sheriffs return unserved writs after 30 to 60 days, requiring the landlord to refile and pay the service fee again.
Can a tenant appeal after the writ is posted?
Yes. A tenant may file an appeal under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.110, but the appeal does not automatically stay the writ unless the tenant posts a supersedeas bond.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 1.921(a) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 1.965 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form CR2E085 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form CR2E114 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form CR2E147 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 1.923 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.930(d) (w/Examples) + FAQs