The list of active warrants in the District of Columbia is maintained by the District of Columbia Courts. If you want to know if you have an outstanding warrant, you will need to perform a DC warrant search. This search can be conducted online or by contacting the Metropolitan Police Department.
Here you will learn how to conduct a DC warrant search, what you should know about these warrants, and who to contact with questions about a District of Columbia warrant.
How to Conduct a DC Warrant Search
- To access the warrant search database for the District of Columbia, you will need to use the following link https://www.dccourts.gov/services/active-warrant-list.
- You can scroll through the warrant list or filter the list by the name, case number, and/or the year the warrant was issued.
- The warrant list only provides the name and case number of the individual with an outstanding active warrant. You will need to copy the case number down to verify warrant information.
Verifying warrant information
If you need to verify warrant information you can do this online by searching the case number on the Superior Court Online Case Search. The case search can be performed by using the following link https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/cases-online.
Using the Superior Court Online Case Search database will allow you to view detailed information about the warrant. This includes the following:
- The date the warrant was issued.
- The type of warrant that was issued and the reason for the warrant, i.e., failure to appear.
- The original charge for the case.
- Bond amount, if any.
- An image of the warrant that was issued, if available.
If you are unable to access the court case search database, you will need to contact the Superior Court for more information about the warrant.
What You Should Know About DC Warrants
The primary law enforcement agency in DC is the Metropolitan Police Department, however, warrants are maintained by the Superior Court. The active warrant list is updated daily, however, the information provided may not be accurate so you will need to verify the warrant is active.
If the warrant is still outstanding, you will need to contact law enforcement or the court to surrender yourself and possibly be booked and detained in the DC jail. There are times when the DC Superior Court will allow individuals with misdemeanor bench warrants to surrender virtually and have a hearing conducted over the phone or online. You would need to contact the court to determine if this option currently exists.
Resources and Contact Information for DC Warrants
Metropolitan Police Department
441 4th St NW 7th FLR
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-727-9099
Email: mpd@dc.gov
DC Superior Court
500 Indiana Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-879-1373 or 202-879-1010
The hours of operation are Monday through Friday until 5 pm. This does not include holidays or weekends. Your first point of contact should be to the District of Columbia Superior Court since they handle and issue the warrants. If further assistance is needed, you can contact the Metropolitan Police Department.