District of Columbia Warrant Search

Are Warrants Public Record in District of Columbia

Pursuant to District of Columbia public records laws, warrants are considered public records accessible to members of the general public. This transparency measure serves to maintain public safety and ensure community trust in the judicial process. The public nature of warrant records helps inform citizens of law enforcement actions and promotes accountability within the legal system as established under D.C. Code § 2-531 et seq., which governs public access to government records.

In the District of Columbia, warrant records are maintained by the Superior Court and are accessible through various means. The District of Columbia Courts maintain these records in accordance with established protocols that balance individual privacy considerations with the public's right to information. Records are typically available after they have been executed or after the subject of the warrant has been apprehended, depending on the nature of the case and any sealing orders that may be in effect.

Members of the public should be aware that while warrant records are generally public, certain exceptions may apply. For example, warrants related to ongoing investigations, juvenile matters, or those sealed by court order may have restricted access. Additionally, federal warrants issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia follow federal guidelines for public access.

What Is Contained in Warrant Records in District of Columbia?

Warrant records in the District of Columbia typically contain comprehensive information about the legal action authorized. These documents are standardized in accordance with D.C. Code § 23-521, which establishes requirements for warrant content. Standard information included in District of Columbia warrant records comprises:

• The full legal name and any known aliases of the individual subject to the warrant
• Detailed description of the alleged criminal activity or violation
• Citation of the specific D.C. Code section allegedly violated
• Identity of the issuing court (Superior Court or U.S. District Court)
• Date and time the warrant was issued
• Name and signature of the issuing judge or magistrate
• Details of the law enforcement agency authorized to execute the warrant
• Any specific bail or bond conditions attached to the warrant
• Case number and other identifying information
• Expiration date of the warrant (pursuant to D.C. Code § 23-523, search warrants must be executed within 10 days of issuance)

For search warrants specifically, additional information includes the precise location to be searched and detailed descriptions of items subject to seizure, as required by the Fourth Amendment and D.C. Code § 48-921.02 for certain types of warrants.

How to Check For Warrants in District of Columbia For Free

Members of the public seeking to verify warrant status in the District of Columbia may utilize several no-cost resources provided by District government agencies. The District of Columbia Courts maintain public access terminals where individuals may conduct searches without charge. These resources include:

• Visiting the District of Columbia Courts website to view the active warrant list
• Accessing public terminals at the District of Columbia Superior Court Clerk's Office located at:

District of Columbia Superior Court
500 Indiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-879-1373
District of Columbia Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

• Contacting the Metropolitan Police Department's Warrant Squad directly:

Metropolitan Police Department Warrant Squad
300 Indiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-727-4000
Metropolitan Police Department
Hours: 24 hours daily

Individuals may also utilize the eAccess portal provided by the District of Columbia Superior Court, which allows for online searches of certain court records. However, users should note that pursuant to court policy, not all warrant information may be available through this system, particularly for active investigations or recently issued warrants.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in District of Columbia in 2025

As of 2025, the District of Columbia has implemented enhanced digital systems for warrant verification. Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant may utilize the following official resources:

• The DC Superior Court Case Search system, which has been upgraded to include more comprehensive warrant information
• The Judge in Chambers office, which processes warrants and can provide status information
• Direct inquiry with the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia:

Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia
633 Indiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-220-5500
Pretrial Services Agency
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Individuals concerned about potential warrants may also consult with the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, which provides legal assistance to eligible residents:

Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
633 Indiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-628-1200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Pursuant to D.C. Code § 23-561, individuals named in arrest warrants are entitled to be informed of the charges against them upon execution of the warrant. Therefore, proactive verification of warrant status is advisable to avoid unexpected encounters with law enforcement.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in District of Columbia

The District of Columbia provides multiple official channels through which individuals may verify outstanding warrant status. These verification methods are established pursuant to District transparency policies and include:

• Conducting a search through the Active Warrant List maintained by the District of Columbia Courts
• Visiting the Criminal Division Clerk's Office at the D.C. Superior Court:

D.C. Superior Court Criminal Division
500 Indiana Avenue NW, Room 4001
Washington, DC 20001
202-879-1373
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

• Contacting the U.S. Marshals Service for federal warrants:

U.S. Marshals Service - District of Columbia
333 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-353-0600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Individuals should be prepared to provide proper identification when conducting warrant searches in person. For bench warrants related to child support enforcement, the Child Support Services Division maintains specific records:

Office of the Attorney General - Child Support Services Division
441 4th Street NW, Suite 550N
Washington, DC 20001
202-442-9900
Child Support Services
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 4:45 PM

Pursuant to D.C. Code § 16-916.01, bench warrants may be issued for non-compliance with child support orders, and these warrants are maintained in separate databases from criminal warrants.

How to Find Federal Warrant Search

Federal warrants issued within the District of Columbia jurisdiction follow distinct procedures from local warrants. These warrants are issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and are executed by federal law enforcement agencies. To search for federal warrants, individuals may:

• Contact the Clerk's Office at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia:

United States District Court for the District of Columbia
333 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-354-3000
U.S. District Court DC
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Inquire with the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia:

United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia
555 4th Street NW
Washington, DC 20530
202-252-7566
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Federal warrants are governed by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, specifically Rule 4 for arrest warrants and Rule 41 for search warrants. The U.S. District Court maintains records of federal warrants issued within its jurisdiction, though access may be restricted for sealed warrants or those related to ongoing investigations.

Individuals seeking information about federal warrants should be aware that federal agencies may not disclose information about active warrants in certain circumstances, particularly those related to national security or ongoing multi-jurisdictional investigations.

Search Warrant Records in District of Columbia

Active Warrant List | District of Columbia Courts DC Superior Court Case Search Warrant Processing in JIC Arrest Warrants | U.S. District Court Metropolitan Police Department Search and Seizure Warrant Information Time of execution of search warrants | D.C. Law Library Search warrants issuance and execution eAccess Portal - DC Superior Court Extreme Risk Protection Orders