The sheriff shall make a return upon completion or abandonment of the execu- tion proceedings.
Rule 3164.Sheriff’s return.
Adopted March 30, 1960 · Last amended March 30, 1960 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceAfter carrying out or abandoning a writ of possession in ejectment, the sheriff files a return — the official record of what the execution accomplished — with the court.
Full Text of Rule 3164
Plain-English Summary
This short rule closes out an ejectment execution. When the sheriff has completed the execution proceedings, or has abandoned them, the sheriff makes a return.
The return is the formal record placed in the court file showing how the writ of possession was carried out — whether possession was delivered and the proceeding finished, or whether it was given up. It mirrors the return required in money-judgment executions and gives the court and the parties a clear account of the result, which matters if any later step or dispute turns on what the sheriff did.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the sheriff return a writ of possession in ejectment?
Upon completion or abandonment of the execution proceedings.
What is the return for?
It records the outcome of the execution for the court’s record.
Official Note
Official Note: Adopted March 30, 1960, effective November 1, 1960.
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as: sheriff's return ejectmentreturn writ of possession