Please see the below frequently asked questions about our Sheriff's Sales. If you have a question that is not listed below, please send us an email.
This information shall not be considered legal advice. Each situation is different and no one explanation can cover every situation. For specific information please consult the Code of Virginia, or for legal advice please consult an attorney.
A Sheriff’s Sale is when property is inventoried and/or seized to be sold by the local sheriff’s office to collect money towards a judgment.
- Property is sold as is.
- No warranties apply.
- Property will be sold to the highest bidder. If the buyer cannot produce monies, the property will be sold to the next highest bidder.
- All bids must be reasonable. The sheriff’s office has the right to refuse a bid deemed unreasonable.
- The starting bid will be based upon several factors such as fair market value, judgment total, and discretion of the deputy conducting the sale.
All property will be available for inspection on the date and time of the sale. For vehicle sales, no test drives will be permitted.
The opening bid is set by the sheriff’s deputy handling the sale and depends on the property’s value, the judgment amount, and any related costs.
If you would like to drive the vehicle after the sale, you will have to present a Trip Permit purchased through the DMV (found here). If you have dealer tags, you can use those to drive the vehicle after the sale. Not every vehicle will have keys available, and you may need to make alternate arrangements for removing the vehicle from the property.
Property must be taken immediately or at the discretion of the sheriff’s office.
Acceptable forms of payment are cash or certified funds (cashier’s check or money order). If paying with certified funds, be sure to bring multiple increments to meet the final sale price. You will not be allotted time to leave the site to retrieve funds.
Sheriff’s Sales are conducted as often as court orders are received by the sheriff’s office.
The location and time will be disclosed on a Sheriff Sale notice posted at least 10 days prior to the sale. The sheriff’s office will make every effort to post the sale notices as early as possible to allow the most bidders to participate. Be sure to check our website for future notices.
Visit our sale listings page for the status of any active sale.
- You must present a state or federal ID card.
- You must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Under 18 must be accompanied by a legal adult to finalize a sale.
- Code of Virginia §8.01-498 restricts all Fairfax County employees from bidding.
Please check our website for all Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office events including Sheriff Sales, community events, and news. For specific questions, please email the sheriff’s office.