National Eviction

How long does an eviction take in Missouri?

For landlords and property managers · Updated September 2026

The written deadlines let an uncontested eviction for unpaid rent in Missouri finish in about 2 to 6 weeks at the fastest, before time to file, serve the tenant and get on the court's calendar.

The Missouri eviction timeline, step by step

Calendar days for a nonpayment case the tenant does not contest. Business and court days are converted to calendar days.

  1. 1Notice for unpaid rent

    0 days

    From serving the notice until you can file.

    Demand for rent due; no statutory waiting period

    From our guide: “Nonpayment: a demand, with no statutory waiting period.”

  2. 2Court case

    4 to 29 days

    From filing through service and the answer period or first hearing, to a judgment for possession.

    Court date within 21 business days of summons

    From our guide: “the court date must be not more than 21 business days after the summons is issued” and “the summons must be served at least four days before the court date”

  3. 3Judgment to possession

    10 to 15 days

    Any waiting period before the writ issues, plus the officer's notice before the lockout.

    Judgment final after 10 days; officer delivers within 5 more

    From our guide: “The defendant has ten days from the judgment to move to set it aside or apply for a trial de novo” and “the officer must deliver possession within five days of receiving the execution”

What can slow it down

  • Missouri's rent and possession action (chapter 535) covers nonpayment only; unlawful detainer (chapter 534) has different, longer timing for other holdover cases.
  • A defective notice is the most common reason a case is dismissed and has to start over. Check the form and the delivery method in the full guide before you serve it.
  • A tenant who files an answer, raises a defense or appeals adds hearings and waiting periods. Busy urban dockets can add weeks at every stage.
  • Never change the locks or shut off utilities yourself. Self-help eviction is illegal in every state and can cost more than the unpaid rent.

Read the full Missouri eviction guide, with the statute or rule behind each step.

Missouri scores 8 of 10 on our landlord-friendly states map (landlord-leaning).

Compare eviction timelines in every state.

This timeline is general information for landlords, not legal advice. Deadlines change and courts vary by county. Confirm current rules with a licensed Missouri attorney before acting.