North Carolina Warrant Search: How to Check, and What to Do If You Have One

An outstanding warrant does not go away, but it does not have to end with a surprise arrest and a night in jail either. This page explains how warrants work in North Carolina, where to check for one, and how a licensed bondsman can arrange bail before you turn yourself in so you are processed and released the same day.

Confidential warrant help, 24 hours: 980-384-6630.

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Types of warrants in North Carolina

Arrest warrant

Issued by a magistrate or judge when there is probable cause that a person committed a crime. Officers may arrest on sight.

Order for arrest (OFA)

Issued by the court, most often for failing to appear at a scheduled court date, but also for probation violations and failure to comply with a court order. An OFA for a missed court date usually comes with a new, higher bond. What happens after a missed court date.

Criminal summons

Not a warrant. It directs you to appear in court on a date without being arrested. Ignore it and it becomes an order for arrest.

Bench warrant

Bench warrant is the term many people use; in North Carolina practice these are orders for arrest.

How to check for a warrant in North Carolina

There is no single statewide public warrant search. Warrants are held by the county clerk of court and served by the county sheriff, so you check by county.

County sheriff's office

Many sheriffs publish an online warrant or "wanted" list, and most will confirm by phone whether a warrant exists. Be aware: if you call and identify yourself, they may ask you to come in.

Clerk of Superior Court

The clerk's office in the county courthouse can search by name at the public terminal. Some counties allow phone inquiries.

Mecklenburg County

Mecklenburg County has its own online tools, covered in detail on our county page. Mecklenburg County warrant search.

A bondsman

Champion's warrant check service confirms whether a warrant exists across the counties we serve, discreetly, without prompting an arrest. Additional services.

For state prison records rather than warrants, use the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offender search.

What to do if you have a warrant

Turning yourself in on your own terms is almost always better than being picked up at work, at home in front of your family, or during a traffic stop. Here is how to do it with the least time in custody.

Call 980-384-6630

Tell us the county and, if you know it, the charge. We confirm the warrant and find out whether a bond amount is already attached. Orders for arrest usually have one; new arrest warrants usually do not until the magistrate sets it.

Talk to an attorney

We can refer you. An attorney may be able to get an OFA recalled or a bond reduced before surrender. Bond reduction. Speaking with an attorney beforehand can help you understand your options and address possible bond issues before you surrender.

We prepare the bond in advance

Co-signer paperwork and payment are done before you walk in. Payment plans. Having the paperwork and payment ready in advance can help reduce delays and keep the release process moving once you are in custody.

You surrender at the jail

You surrender at the jail at a time we agree on, usually a weekday morning when magistrates and release desks are fully staffed. Planning the surrender time in advance helps make the process more organized and allows the bond process to begin as soon as possible.

Bond is posted and you are released

You are booked, bond is set or confirmed, we post it immediately, and you are released. In most of our counties that means a few hours, not a night. The jail must complete its release procedures after the bond is posted before you can leave custody.

Walk-through surrender by county

Champion arranges pre-set bonds and walk-through surrenders at every jail we serve:

Mecklenburg County

Mecklenburg County Detention Center, Charlotte

Cabarrus County

Cabarrus County Detention Center, Concord

Union County

Union County Jail, Monroe

Gaston County

Gaston County Jail, Gastonia

Iredell County

Iredell County Detention Center, Statesville

Rowan County

Rowan County Detention Center, Salisbury

Catawba County

Catawba County Detention Facility, Newton

Cleveland County

Cleveland County Detention Center, Shelby

Lincoln County

Lincoln County Jail, Lincolnton

If the warrant is from another North Carolina county or from South Carolina, we can usually arrange a transfer bond. transfer bond.

North Carolina warrant search: frequently asked questions

Have questions about warrants, arrest orders, or what to expect after finding one? Here are answers to common questions about checking warrant information and understanding the next steps.

Still have a question?

How do I find out if I have a warrant in NC?

Check with the sheriff’s office or clerk of court in the county where the charge would have been filed, or call us for a confidential check.

Is there a statewide NC warrant list?

No. Each county keeps its own. Some sheriffs publish online lists; many do not.

Can a bondsman arrange bail before I turn myself in?

Yes. That is exactly what a pre-arranged or walk-through bond is. The paperwork is done first, so posting happens as soon as bond is set.

What happens if I ignore a warrant?

It stays active indefinitely. Any police contact, including a traffic stop, can lead to arrest, and a missed-court OFA typically raises the bond.

Will you tell the police I called?

No. Warrant checks are confidential.

Does a warrant show up on an inmate search?

No. Inmate searches show people in custody. Warrants are held by the court and sheriff. Inmate search.

Check a warrant confidentially

Call or text 980-384-6630.