Michigan Form DC 111 is the Order of Eviction that a district court judge signs to authorize a court officer or sheriff to physically remove a tenant and their belongings from a rental property after a landlord wins a summary proceedings judgment. Every Michigan landlord, property manager, or attorney who has secured a Judgment for Possession (Form DC 105) and whose tenant has not vacated within the redemption period must file DC 111 with the same district court that entered the judgment, or the eviction simply will not happen.
Across the state’s 105 district courts, more than 180,000 landlord-tenant cases are filed each year, and a sizeable share of those cases ultimately require a DC 111 because tenants do not voluntarily move after losing in court, according to data published by the Michigan State Court Administrative Office. Filing this form wrong, or filing it one day too early, is the single most common reason an eviction stalls and the landlord must start the waiting clock all over again.
Here is what this guide will give you:
- 📋 A line-by-line walkthrough of every box on DC 111, including the parts most filers skip
- ⏱️ The exact 10-day waiting period rules under MCL 600.5744 and how to count the days correctly
- 🧾 Three real-world filled-out examples covering nonpayment, termination of tenancy, and mobile home park evictions
- 🚫 The 12 most common mistakes that cause a court clerk to reject the form on sight
- ❓ A 14-question FAQ that answers the field-level questions other guides skip
The form on file with the State Court Administrative Office carries an SCAO revision date stamped in the lower-left corner, and you should always confirm you are using the version dated 6/23 or later before filing, because older versions are routinely rejected by district court clerks.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Michigan Form DC 111 is the Order of Eviction used in summary proceedings under MCR 4.201(L), and it is the document that converts a paper judgment into a real-world removal. Without a signed DC 111 in the hands of a court officer, no Michigan landlord may legally change locks, shut off utilities, or remove a tenant’s property, even if the tenant lost the case months ago. The form is signed by a district court judge or magistrate, then issued to a court officer or sheriff’s deputy who has 56 days to execute it before it expires.
The party who files DC 111 is almost always the plaintiff-landlord who already won a Judgment for Possession on Form DC 105. In a small share of cases, the filer is a land contract vendor seeking to forfeit a buyer’s interest, a mobile home park owner under MCL 600.5775, or a successor owner who purchased the property at a sheriff’s sale. Tenants never file DC 111; if you are a tenant who received one, your remedy is a motion to stay or set aside the order, not a DC 111 of your own.
The form interacts with three other SCAO documents you will see referenced throughout this article: the Complaint (DC 102), the Summons (DC 104), and the Judgment (DC 105). DC 111 cannot exist without a DC 105 entered in the same case, and a clerk will refuse to issue DC 111 if the judgment redemption period has not expired, which is 10 days for nonpayment cases and may be longer for other grounds.
The penalty for filing DC 111 too early is real and immediate. The clerk will reject the request, the judge will deny the order, and in some courts the landlord will be ordered to pay the tenant’s costs for having to respond. Filing DC 111 also closes the door on most last-minute settlement options, so timing matters as much as accuracy.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every item below before you open DC 111, because missing any one of them is a common reason eviction requests are bounced back by the clerk. The full SCAO instruction packet is hosted on the Michigan One Court of Justice forms page and is worth printing for reference.
- The case number from your DC 105 Judgment. Without the exact case number, the clerk cannot match your DC 111 to the underlying judgment, and the request will sit in a clerk’s review pile until it is returned.
- A certified or file-stamped copy of the Judgment for Possession (DC 105). Some courts require you to attach this; if you cannot produce it, the judge has no proof the redemption period has run.
- The full legal name and current address of every defendant. Names must match the judgment exactly, because a single misspelling can void the order when the court officer arrives at the door.
- The complete rental property address, including unit number and ZIP. A court officer cannot enter the wrong unit, and “Apt 2” written when the lease says “Unit B” can cause a refusal at the door.
- The date the judgment was entered. This is the anchor for counting the 10-day redemption period under MCL 600.5744(3).
- Proof that any conditional judgment terms have been met or breached. If the judgment was conditional (the tenant could stay if they paid by a certain date), you must prove they did not pay.
- The current money judgment balance, if applicable. If you also won money damages and want the order to include collection language, you need an exact unpaid balance.
- A check, money order, or MiFILE payment for the issuance fee. The standard fee is $15 for the order itself, plus the court officer’s fee, which varies by county.
- The court officer’s or sheriff’s contact information. Some district courts let the landlord choose a private court officer; others assign one automatically.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope if filing by mail. Without it, some courts will not return the conformed copy you need to give to the court officer.
Olivia is a first-time landlord in Kent County who learned the hard way that arriving at the clerk’s window without the file-stamped DC 105 cost her two extra days, because the clerk could not verify the judgment date from her phone screenshot.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only authoritative source for DC 111 is the SCAO-approved PDF on the Michigan Courts website, and you should never use a third-party fillable version because clerks check for the SCAO seal and revision date in the bottom corners. The form is free, fillable in Adobe Acrobat or any modern browser, and prints on standard 8.5-by-11 paper.
You can also obtain a paper copy at the counter of any Michigan district court, and the clerk will hand you the current version on request. Self-help centers operated by Michigan Legal Help will walk pro se landlords through a guided interview that produces a completed DC 111 along with the related motion paperwork.
Attorneys and frequent filers should access the form through the MiFILE e-filing portal, which most Michigan district courts now require for attorney-represented parties. MiFILE pre-populates the case caption from the docket, which removes one of the most common sources of clerk rejection.
If you need help filling it in, the Michigan 211 housing line and many county bar associations operate landlord-tenant clinics that will review your DC 111 before you submit it, often for free.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form DC 111 Line by Line
DC 111 is a single page divided into a caption, a request section, a court order section, and a return-of-service section. Every box matters, and the order of completion matters too, because the form is filled out by three different people: the landlord (top half), the judge (middle), and the court officer (bottom). The walkthrough below covers each field in the order it appears on the form.
Court Caption: Judicial District, Judicial Circuit, and County
This top band of boxes asks which court is hearing the case, and you fill in the judicial district number, the judicial circuit number if applicable, and the county name. You write the district number in the first box (for example, 17th for Redford Township), leave the circuit box blank for almost all eviction cases because evictions are district court matters, and write the full county name in the third box.
A specific example: Marcus Bell files in the 36th District Court in Detroit, so he writes 36th in the judicial district box, leaves the judicial circuit box blank, and writes Wayne in the county box. The header bar must match the header on his DC 105 word for word.
A nuance worth flagging: a small number of Michigan municipalities have municipal courts rather than district courts, but for DC 111 purposes, every eviction goes through district court, so you will always be writing a district number here. If you write a circuit court number by mistake, the clerk will return the form because circuit courts do not issue eviction orders.
The most common mistake on this field is writing the wrong district number when the property sits near a district boundary, and the consequence is that the order goes to the wrong clerk’s queue and may sit unprocessed for a week. A common misconception is that you can pick any nearby district court for convenience; you cannot, because venue is fixed by the property’s location under MCL 600.5704.
Court Address and Telephone Number
The form asks for the street address and main phone line of the district court where the judgment was entered, not your address and not your attorney’s address. You copy this directly from the DC 105 caption, including suite or room numbers, and use the court’s published main number rather than a clerk’s direct line.
For example, Janet Park, filing in the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids, writes 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 and the main court number (616) 632-5700. She does not substitute her own contact information here even though the form sits in her file.
A nuance: if the court has moved buildings recently (several Michigan district courts relocated in 2024 and 2025), use the current address from the court’s directory page, not the address printed on older forms. The consequence of writing an outdated address is that mailed copies of the order may be returned undelivered, which delays service on the court officer.
The common mistake is pulling the address from the lease or from a Google search of “district court near me” rather than from the DC 105 caption. The misconception is that any government building address will do; the form is court-specific, and the wrong address can cause the clerk to question whether you are filing in the right court at all.
Case Number
The case number is the unique identifier the clerk assigned when the original complaint was filed, and it usually appears in a format like 2025-12345-LT where LT signals a landlord-tenant case. You write this number exactly as it appears on the DC 105, including the year, the dash, and the case-type suffix.
Example: Aisha Carter writes 2025-04412-LT in the case number box, copying every character from the file-stamped DC 105 sitting on her desk. She does not invent a new number, drop the suffix, or use the docket number from a related small claims matter.
A nuance arises when a case has been consolidated with another or transferred between divisions. If you see two case numbers on your DC 105, use the one labeled “lead” or the one used in the most recent order. Some Michigan courts have started using a 4-digit year prefix in 2025 and 2026, so confirm the format with the clerk if your judgment is older.
The common mistake is transposing two digits, which causes the clerk’s case-management system to report “no matching case” and the form to be rejected. The misconception is that the case number on a debt-collection garnishment is the same as the eviction case number; they are different, and using the wrong one can attach the order to the wrong file.
Plaintiff’s Name, Address, and Telephone Number
This block asks for the landlord’s full legal name, street address, and daytime phone number, and it must match the plaintiff line on the DC 105. If the property is owned by an LLC or a trust, the entity name goes here, not the individual owner’s name, because the entity is the named plaintiff.
For example, Lakeshore Rentals LLC is the plaintiff, with an address of 425 Main St, Suite 200, Holland, MI 49423 and a phone of (616) 555-0144. The owner of the LLC, Marcus Bell, does not write his own name here even though he signs the form below.
A nuance: if the property has been sold since the judgment was entered, the new owner cannot simply write their own name; they must first file a motion to substitute parties under MCR 2.202. The consequence of skipping that step is that the court officer will refuse to act on an order issued in a stranger’s name.
The common mistake is using a “doing business as” name that never appeared on the complaint, which breaks the chain of identity between the complaint, the judgment, and the order. The misconception is that a property manager can list themselves as the plaintiff; managers are agents, not parties, and listing them creates a defect that a tenant’s lawyer can use to vacate the order.
Plaintiff’s Attorney, Bar Number, Address, and Telephone
If the landlord has an attorney of record, that attorney’s name, Michigan bar number, office address, and phone go here. If the landlord is filing pro se, this entire block is left blank, which is perfectly acceptable and is not grounds for rejection.
For example, attorney Priya Shah, P-78521, of Shah Law PLLC, 1200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226, (313) 555-0177 fills in all four lines on behalf of Lakeshore Rentals LLC. Her bar number is essential because clerks verify it against the State Bar of Michigan member directory.
A nuance: if the attorney has changed firms since the complaint was filed, update the address here even though the DC 105 carries the old one, because notices from the court go to whatever address is on the most recent filing. The consequence of using a stale address is that the conformed order may be mailed back to an empty office.
The common mistake is leaving the bar number blank, which causes some clerks to send the form back even when the rest of the attorney block is complete. The misconception is that a paralegal or law clerk can sign here; only a licensed Michigan attorney may appear of record on DC 111.
Defendant’s Name(s) and Address
This block asks for every named defendant from the DC 105 and the address of the rental property, which is usually the same as the defendant’s mailing address. Write each defendant’s full legal name on its own line, and include “and all other occupants” only if the judgment expressly extends to unnamed occupants.
For example, Daniel Reyes and Sofia Reyes are listed on separate lines, with the property address 789 Elm St, Apt 4B, Lansing, MI 48912 below their names. If a third adult, Tomas Reyes, lives there but was never named in the complaint, he is not added here.
A nuance: under MCL 600.5744(2), the order can authorize removal of “the defendants and their property,” and most Michigan courts read this to cover anyone living with the named defendants, but you must not write in extra names yourself. The consequence of adding a non-party is that the court officer may refuse to remove that person, and the tenant may file a motion to quash.
The common mistake is writing only one defendant’s name when the judgment named two, which can leave the second tenant legally entitled to stay. The misconception is that minor children must be listed; they are occupants, not defendants, and they are removed with their parents under the same order.
Reason for Eviction Box (Items 1a–1f)
DC 111 contains a checkbox section listing the grounds for eviction, and you must check the box that matches the ground stated in your DC 105. The choices typically include nonpayment of rent, termination of tenancy, health hazard or extensive damage, illegal drug activity, mobile home park violations, and land contract forfeiture.
For example, Lakeshore Rentals LLC won a judgment for unpaid rent of $2,400, so attorney Shah checks box 1a, “Nonpayment of rent.” If the case had been a 30-day termination of a month-to-month tenancy, she would check 1b instead.
A nuance: if your judgment listed multiple grounds (for example, nonpayment plus damage), check every box that the judge granted, not just the strongest one, because the redemption period and the court officer’s authority differ by ground. The consequence of checking the wrong box is that the redemption clock you are claiming has expired may not actually have run yet.
The common mistake is checking 1a (nonpayment) on a habitual late-payment case that was actually decided under the just-cause termination ground; the consequence is a 10-day redemption claim where 30 days were required. The misconception is that you can leave this section blank and let the judge figure it out from the file; judges will not, and the order will be denied.
Date Judgment Entered and Redemption Period
This field asks for the date the judge signed the DC 105 and confirms that the redemption or compliance period has expired. You write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format and recompute the redemption deadline carefully, counting calendar days and excluding the date of entry under MCR 1.108.
For example, judgment was entered 05/04/2026 against the Reyes family, the 10-day nonpayment redemption period ended 05/14/2026, and Priya Shah files DC 111 on 05/15/2026, the first day she lawfully can.
A nuance: weekends and court holidays at the end of the redemption window extend the deadline to the next business day, but weekends in the middle do not. The consequence of filing one day early is automatic denial, and the landlord must wait and refile, which in busy courts can add a week of delay.
The common mistake is counting from the date the tenant received the judgment by mail rather than from the date the judge signed it. The misconception is that the redemption period is “about 10 days,” so close enough is fine; courts apply the rule strictly, and one day off is fatal.
Money Judgment Information (Optional Box)
If the DC 105 also awarded a money judgment, you may ask the court to recite the unpaid balance on DC 111 so the court officer can include collection language. You write the original judgment amount, any payments received, and the current unpaid balance.
For example, the original money judgment against the Reyes family was $2,400.00, no payments have been received, and the unpaid balance is $2,400.00. Shah writes each figure on the matching line.
A nuance: even if you skip this box, you do not lose your money judgment; it remains collectible for 10 years and may be renewed under MCL 600.5809. The consequence of overstating the balance is a possible sanctions motion from the tenant, so subtract every payment you have received.
The common mistake is including post-judgment rent that was never reduced to judgment, which inflates the figure improperly. The misconception is that DC 111 itself collects the money; it does not, and you will need a separate writ of garnishment or execution against property to collect.
Plaintiff or Attorney Signature, Date, and Bar Number
The signature line at the bottom of the request section is signed by either the landlord (if pro se) or the attorney of record, and the date written here is the date you submit the form, not the judgment date. Sign in blue or black ink for paper filings, or use a verified e-signature in MiFILE.
For example, Priya Shah, P-78521, signs her name, dates the form 05/15/2026, and writes her bar number on the line provided. If Marcus Bell were filing pro se for Lakeshore Rentals LLC, he would sign his own name and write pro se where the bar number goes.
A nuance: under MCR 1.109(D)(3), a typed signature in MiFILE is treated as the equivalent of a handwritten one, but only if the e-filer is the named person. The consequence of letting a paralegal sign for an attorney is that the order can be set aside and the attorney can face discipline.
The common mistake is dating the form before the redemption period has run, which contradicts the request and triggers denial. The misconception is that an unsigned form will be “fixed by the clerk”; clerks cannot sign for filers and will return unsigned forms.
Order of the Court (Judge’s Section)
The middle band of DC 111 is filled out by the judge or magistrate, not the landlord. The judge checks the box authorizing eviction, names the court officer or sheriff who will execute the order, dates the order, and signs.
For example, Hon. Lila Tran checks the eviction-authorized box, writes in Court Officer Robert Klein, ID #C-441, dates the order 05/16/2026, and signs above the printed line. She also writes the order’s expiration date, which is 56 days out under MCL 600.5744(4).
A nuance: if the judge issues a stay (a temporary halt) at the same time, that stay is written into this section in handwriting and the eviction-authorized box may be left unchecked until the stay lifts. The consequence of a court officer acting on an order with an unchecked authorization box is potential civil liability for wrongful eviction.
The common mistake landlords make here is trying to fill in this section themselves; never write in the judge’s portion of the form, even in pencil. The misconception is that the judge’s signature is enough without a date; without a date, the 56-day clock cannot be calculated and the order is unenforceable.
Return of Service (Court Officer’s Section)
The bottom band is filled in by the court officer or sheriff after the eviction is carried out. It records the date and time the eviction occurred, who was present, what happened to the tenant’s property, and the officer’s signature and ID number.
For example, Court Officer Robert Klein writes 05/27/2026, 9:45 AM, notes that Daniel Reyes was present and Sofia Reyes was not, indicates that the tenants’ personal property was set out at the curb, and signs and dates. He files the completed return with the court within 7 days.
A nuance: Michigan law does not require the landlord to store the tenant’s belongings under MCL 600.2918(2)(c), but some local ordinances do, so confirm with the court officer before the eviction. The consequence of disposing of property in a way that violates a local ordinance is a tenant lawsuit for damages.
The common mistake here is for landlords to fill in details for the officer; you may not. The misconception is that the eviction is “done” when the officer signs; it is done when the return is filed with the court, which closes the case file.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three full walkthroughs that follow one named filer through DC 111 from caption to signature. Each scenario reflects a fact pattern the SCAO data shows is among the most common in Michigan district courts.
Scenario 1: Marcus Bell, Nonpayment of Rent
Marcus owns a duplex in Holland through Lakeshore Rentals LLC and won a judgment against the Reyes family for $2,400 in unpaid rent on May 4, 2026. He waits the full 10-day redemption period, then files DC 111 on May 15, 2026.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Judicial District | 58th |
| County | Ottawa |
| Court Address | 414 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417 |
| Case Number | 2026-00318-LT |
| Plaintiff | Lakeshore Rentals LLC, 425 Main St, Suite 200, Holland, MI 49423, (616) 555-0144 |
| Attorney | Priya Shah, P-78521 |
| Defendants | Daniel Reyes; Sofia Reyes — 789 Elm St, Apt 4B, Holland, MI 49423 |
| Reason Box | 1a — Nonpayment of rent |
| Judgment Date | 05/04/2026 |
| Money Judgment Balance | $2,400.00 |
| Signature/Date | Priya Shah / 05/15/2026 |
Scenario 2: Janet Park, Termination of Month-to-Month Tenancy
Janet, a small landlord in Grand Rapids, served a 30-day notice to quit on her tenant Aisha Carter on March 1, 2026, filed a complaint after Aisha did not leave, and won a judgment for possession on April 28, 2026. Because this is a termination case, the redemption period is 10 days, and Janet files DC 111 on May 9, 2026.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Judicial District | 61st |
| County | Kent |
| Court Address | 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Case Number | 2026-04412-LT |
| Plaintiff | Janet Park, 1402 Lake Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, (616) 555-0188 |
| Attorney Block | Left blank — pro se |
| Defendants | Aisha Carter — 218 Cherry St, Unit 2, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Reason Box | 1b — Termination of tenancy |
| Judgment Date | 04/28/2026 |
| Money Judgment Balance | $0.00 (possession only) |
| Signature/Date | Janet Park / 05/09/2026 |
Scenario 3: Olivia Hart, Mobile Home Park Lot Rent
Olivia manages Sunrise Estates Mobile Home Park in Saginaw County and won a judgment against Tomas Vega for unpaid lot rent under MCL 600.5775 on April 20, 2026. Mobile home park redemption periods are 10 days unless the judgment says otherwise, and Olivia files DC 111 on May 1, 2026.
| Form Section | What Olivia Enters |
|---|---|
| Judicial District | 70th |
| County | Saginaw |
| Court Address | 111 S Michigan Ave, Saginaw, MI 48602 |
| Case Number | 2026-00921-LT |
| Plaintiff | Sunrise Estates LLC, 8800 Gratiot Rd, Saginaw, MI 48609, (989) 555-0102 |
| Attorney | Robert Liu, P-66102 |
| Defendants | Tomas Vega — Lot 47, 8800 Gratiot Rd, Saginaw, MI 48609 |
| Reason Box | 1e — Mobile home park violation |
| Judgment Date | 04/20/2026 |
| Money Judgment Balance | $1,150.00 |
| Signature/Date | Robert Liu / 05/01/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Michigan district courts accept DC 111 through three channels, and the channel you must use often depends on whether you are an attorney or a pro se filer. Confirm channel rules with your specific court before you file.
MiFILE (online). Attorneys in nearly every Michigan district court must file DC 111 through the MiFILE portal, which charges the standard $15 statutory issuance fee plus a small e-filing surcharge. Payment is by credit card or e-check, processing typically takes 1 to 3 business days, and your proof of filing is the MiFILE receipt and the file-stamped PDF returned to your inbox.
In person at the clerk’s window. Pro se landlords may walk DC 111 into the district court clerk’s office during posted business hours, usually 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The fee is $15 paid by check, money order, cash (where accepted), or credit card if the court has a terminal, and you receive a file-stamped copy on the spot, which is your proof of filing.
By mail. Most district courts accept DC 111 by U.S. mail addressed to the clerk, with a check for $15 and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your conformed copy. Processing time is 5 to 10 business days, and your proof of filing is the returned conformed copy; never mail cash, and never mail the only signed original without keeping a photocopy.
Court officer fees. In addition to the $15 filing fee, the court officer or sheriff who actually performs the eviction charges a separate fee, often $75 to $250 depending on the county, payable directly to the officer. Marcus Bell, for example, paid $150 to Court Officer Klein in Ottawa County.
The clerk will not “hold” a DC 111 filed early; if you are even one day inside the redemption period, the form is returned and you must refile, which means a second $15 fee in some courts.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk accepts DC 111, the form is routed to a judge or magistrate for signature, usually within 1 to 3 business days. The signed order is then transmitted to the named court officer or sheriff, who has 56 days to execute it under MCL 600.5744(4).
The court officer will contact the landlord to schedule the eviction, and most officers in Michigan give the tenant a final written notice (sometimes called a “courtesy posting”) 24 to 72 hours before the physical removal. On eviction day, the officer meets the landlord at the property, supervises the removal of the tenant and their belongings, and turns possession over to the landlord, who may then change the locks.
If the tenant files an emergency motion to stay the order, all activity halts until the judge rules on the motion. Common stay grounds include newly discovered evidence, a pending appeal, or a hardship extension under MCR 4.201(N), and the judge may grant up to 10 additional days in nonpayment cases.
After the eviction, the court officer files the Return of Service portion of DC 111 with the clerk, which closes the possession side of the case. The money judgment, if any, remains active and collectible separately through wage garnishment, bank garnishment, or a writ of execution against property under MCR 3.106.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing before the redemption period expires. The clerk rejects the form and the landlord loses time and a filing fee.
- Misspelling a defendant’s name. The court officer may refuse to remove the person at the door because the name on the order does not match the lease or ID.
- Using the wrong case number. The order attaches to the wrong file or no file, and nothing happens until you correct it.
- Checking the wrong reason box. The redemption period applied may be too short, and the entire order can be voided on motion.
- Listing a property manager as the plaintiff. Managers are not parties, and the resulting order can be quashed by the tenant’s lawyer.
- Adding occupants who were never named in the complaint. The officer cannot lawfully remove non-parties, which slows or blocks the eviction.
- Forgetting to attach the file-stamped DC 105. Some clerks will not issue DC 111 without proof of the underlying judgment.
- Writing in the judge’s section. Any pre-filled order language can be treated as a forgery and triggers immediate rejection.
- Skipping the bar number when an attorney signs. The clerk returns the form, costing days of delay.
- Mailing the only signed original without a copy. If the mail is lost, you must redo the entire filing.
- Ignoring local administrative orders. Some courts require an additional cover sheet or motion under their own administrative orders and will reject filings that omit it.
- Dating the signature before the redemption period ends. The internal contradiction is grounds for denial.
- Failing to pay the court officer’s fee. Officers are not obligated to schedule the eviction until paid, and the 56-day clock keeps running.
Dos and Don’ts
- Do confirm the SCAO revision date on the form matches the version listed on the Michigan Courts forms page, because clerks reject obsolete versions.
- Do count the redemption period from the date the judgment was signed, because that is the trigger date in the statute.
- Do call the clerk’s office if you are unsure about local cover-sheet rules, because a 60-second phone call prevents a week of delay.
- Do keep a copy of every page you submit, because the file-stamped copy is your only proof you filed at all.
- Do confirm the court officer’s fee in writing, because surprise fees can stop a scheduled eviction the morning of.
- Do update the plaintiff’s address if it has changed since the complaint, because the court mails notices to the address on the most recent filing.
- Don’t let a paralegal sign for an attorney, because that is grounds for the order being vacated and for bar discipline.
- Don’t rely on a verbal promise from the tenant to leave, because tenants who promise to leave often do not, and you lose days waiting.
- Don’t attempt a self-help eviction by changing locks or shutting off utilities, because MCL 600.2918 imposes treble damages.
- Don’t file DC 111 in a different court than the one that entered the judgment, because venue is fixed.
- Don’t write “and all occupants” unless your judgment expressly authorizes it, because adding language can void the order.
- Don’t dispose of tenant property until the court officer’s return is filed, because pre-return disposal can expose the landlord to a conversion claim.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se | Filing With an Attorney |
|---|---|
| Saves $200 to $600 in attorney fees per eviction | Reduces filing errors that can add 1 to 3 weeks of delay |
| Forces the landlord to learn the process for future cases | Provides MiFILE access and faster processing in most courts |
| Works well for simple nonpayment cases with one tenant | Essential for contested cases or LLC plaintiffs in some courts |
| Lets the landlord control timing day by day | Adds professional liability coverage if something goes wrong |
| Avoids scheduling around an attorney’s calendar | Useful when the tenant is represented or has filed counterclaims |
Pros of pro se filing. Cost savings are immediate and meaningful for small landlords; the landlord builds direct knowledge of the process; pro se filers often build a working relationship with the clerk’s office; the landlord can react to last-minute developments without billing delays; and many Michigan courts publish pro se eviction packets that walk the filer through every step.
Cons of pro se filing. A single field error can void the order; LLC plaintiffs may need an attorney to appear at any contested hearing under MCR 2.117; pro se filers cannot use MiFILE in some districts; emotional cases (long-term tenants, family members) often go better with a third-party voice; and pro se filers sometimes miss the redemption-period nuances that an experienced attorney spots in seconds.
Key Entities and How They Interact
The Michigan State Court Administrative Office writes and revises DC 111 and publishes the official PDF, while each district court clerk accepts the form, collects the fee, and routes it to the judge. The judge or magistrate signs the order under authority granted by MCL 600.5744 and MCR 4.201, and the court officer or county sheriff carries it out.
DC 111 sits at the end of a chain that starts with a demand for possession or notice to quit, continues with the DC 102 complaint and DC 104 summons, and culminates in the DC 105 judgment. Each form is keyed to the next, and a defect upstream produces a defect downstream, which is why experienced filers treat the chain as a single document set rather than separate filings.
Tenants whose income is below 200% of the federal poverty line may qualify for free legal help through Lakeshore Legal Aid, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, or Michigan Advocacy Program, and a tenant represented by one of these programs is more likely to file a motion to stay or set aside DC 111. Landlords should anticipate that possibility by ensuring every field on the form is bulletproof.
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Eviction Diversion Program sometimes intervene between judgment and eviction, providing rental assistance that satisfies the money judgment and triggers a tenant motion to stay DC 111. Landlords who refuse diversion funds without cause can face an order conditioning the eviction on acceptance of the funds.
Recap of Key Rulings and Agency Decisions
The Michigan Supreme Court’s holding in *Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Americas v Spot Realty, Inc. and related foreclosure-eviction decisions have clarified that a successor purchaser must record their interest and substitute as plaintiff before requesting DC 111. This rule trips up landlords who buy a property at sheriff’s sale and assume they can step into the prior landlord’s shoes without paperwork.
Pandemic-era administrative orders that paused evictions have been rescinded, and as of 2026 there is no statewide eviction moratorium, but several local administrative orders in Wayne, Washtenaw, and Ingham counties still impose extra notice or mediation requirements that you can confirm through the court’s local administrative orders page. Skipping a local-order step is a frequent reason DC 111 is denied.
FAQs
Do I file DC 111 in district court or circuit court?
Yes — DC 111 is filed only in the district court that entered the underlying DC 105 judgment, because circuit courts do not handle summary eviction proceedings.
Can I file DC 111 the same day the judgment is entered?
No — Michigan law requires you to wait the full redemption period, which is 10 days for nonpayment and may be longer for other grounds, before the clerk will accept the form.
Do I write the LLC’s name or my own as plaintiff if I own the property through an LLC?
Yes — write the LLC’s exact legal name, because the LLC is the named plaintiff on the DC 105 and the order must match.
Can I list “and all other occupants” on the defendant line?
No — only add that phrase if the DC 105 judgment expressly extends to unnamed occupants, because adding it otherwise can void the order.
Do I need to attach the DC 105 judgment to my DC 111?
Yes — many Michigan district courts require a file-stamped copy of the DC 105, and attaching it prevents a delay even where the court does not formally require it.
Can my property manager sign DC 111 instead of me?
No — only the named plaintiff or an attorney of record may sign, because property managers are agents rather than parties to the case.
Do weekends count in the 10-day redemption period?
Yes — calendar days are counted, but if the 10th day falls on a weekend or court holiday, the deadline rolls to the next business day under MCR 1.108.
Can the tenant stop the eviction after I file DC 111?
Yes — the tenant may file an emergency motion to stay or pay the judgment in full, and the judge can halt the eviction for up to 10 additional days.
Do I have to use the court officer the judge names?
No — in many counties you may choose any approved court officer, but the judge’s order must be reissued in the chosen officer’s name before they can act.
Can I include damages for property repairs on DC 111?
No — DC 111 only enforces possession and recites an existing money judgment; new damages require a separate small-claims or civil filing.
Do I write the date the judgment was signed or the date the tenant got it?
Yes — write the date the judge signed the DC 105, because the redemption clock runs from the entry date, not the date of receipt.
Can I file DC 111 if my tenant has filed bankruptcy?
No — the federal automatic stay under 11 USC § 362 blocks eviction filings until the bankruptcy court grants relief from stay.
Do I need to serve the tenant with a copy of DC 111?
No — the court officer will post or deliver notice before executing the order, but the landlord is not required to serve DC 111 separately.
Can I refile DC 111 if 56 days expire before the eviction happens?
Yes — you may request a new order from the same court for an additional fee, as long as the underlying judgment has not been vacated or satisfied.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois Complaint in Eviction (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Judgment for Possession (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form DC 100a (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form DC 100c (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form DC 100d (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form DC 102 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form LT 01 (w/Examples) + FAQs