The officer levying the attachment shall show in his return the time, date and manner of the service, or execution thereof, on each person and parcel of property, and also give a list and description of the property, if any, levied on under the attachment.
§ 8.01-559.Return by officer.
Chapter 20. Attachments and Bail in Civil Cases · Article 2. Summons; Levy; Lien; Bonds, Etc · Last amended 1977 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceAfter levying an attachment, the officer must file a written return stating the time, date, and manner of service or execution on each person and item of property, together with a list and description of whatever property was levied on.
Full Text of § 8.01-559
Plain-English Summary
An attachment is not complete once the sheriff walks away from a levy — the paper trail matters just as much as the seizure. This section requires the officer to file a return documenting exactly what happened: the time, date, and manner of service or execution as to each person served and each parcel of property reached.
Beyond the mechanics of service, the return must also give a list and description of whatever property the officer levied on. That record lets the court, the parties, and anyone later disputing a claim to the property see precisely what was seized, when, and how — the foundation the rest of the attachment proceeding builds on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must the officer’s return show about service?
The time, date, and manner of service or execution of the attachment on each person and each parcel of property involved.
Does the return need to describe the property levied on?
Yes, if any property was levied on, the return must give a list and description of it.
Who is required to make the return?
The officer who levies the attachment.
Does the return need to distinguish service on different people or property?
Yes, the return must show the relevant information on each person and each parcel of property, not just a general summary.
What purpose does the officer’s return serve in the case?
It creates the official record of what was seized and how service was carried out, which the court and parties rely on in later stages of the attachment proceeding.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-547; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: officer return attachment virginiasheriff attachment return requirementslevy description return virginia attachment