RI · Warrant guide
Is there an online warrant search in Rhode Island?
Yes — Rhode Island has an official statewide online warrant search.
Official source
Open the official statewide search Opens the official state site in a new tab. It may not be complete or current — confirm active status with the court that issued the warrant.Last verified 2026-07-23Coverage Statewide searchJurisdiction Rhode Island
The official online lookup
Rhode Island has no dedicated warrant-only search tool and no county sheriff 'active warrant' lists (RI sheriffs handle courthouse security and prisoner transport under the Department of Public Safety, not warrant publishing).
However, warrant status is publicly discoverable online through an official statewide tool: the RI Judiciary Public Portal lets anyone search open court cases by name, and because a bench or arrest warrant is entered on the case docket (register of actions), the portal reflects whether a warrant has been issued in an open case.
It is a statewide case/docket search rather than a standalone warrant lookup, so confirm any warrant and its current status with the court clerk.
How to find out if you have a warrant in Rhode Island
Warrants are issued by courts and served by sheriffs — so the surest way to confirm one is to ask the source directly. Work down this list.
-
Search your case by name on the RI Judiciary Public Portal (statewide, free)
The RI Judiciary Public Portal at publicportal.courts.ri.gov lets you search open court cases by full legal name. Because a bench or arrest warrant is recorded on the case docket (register of actions), the portal reflects whether a warrant has been issued in an open case. It is a statewide case/docket search rather than a dedicated warrant-only tool, so confirm the warrant and its status with the court clerk.
Open official site -
Contact the clerk of the District Court or Superior Court where the charge is filed
Rhode Island's District Court handles most misdemeanors and arraignments; the Superior Court handles felonies. The clerk in the court where the charge is filed can confirm whether a warrant is outstanding and tell you the next scheduled date.
Open official site -
Contact the local police department or the Rhode Island State Police that would hold the warrant
Warrants are held and served by local police or the Rhode Island State Police; their records unit can confirm an outstanding warrant and explain how to address it.
Open official site
Types of warrants in Rhode Island
Not every warrant means the same thing. These are the common types.
- Bench warrant / failure-to-appear
- FTA) warrant — issued by a judge for a missed court appearance or violation of a court order
- Arrest warrant
- probable cause) — issued on a sworn showing that a person committed an offense
- Search warrant — authorizes law enforcement to search a specified place or property
What happens if a warrant is ignored
An outstanding warrant generally remains active until resolved and authorizes arrest at any contact with law enforcement.
A missed court date can add a failure-to-appear issue and affect any existing bail.
A warrant does not expire on its own.
What you can do
Procedural steps only — no outcome is predicted.
Confirm the warrant and its details directly with the issuing District or Superior Court clerk.
Note the case number and any scheduled hearing date.
Ask the clerk about the process for resolving the matter, such as scheduling a hearing or surrendering on your own terms, and keep a record of your contacts.
Your rights. You have the right to talk to a lawyer about your situation, and if you cannot afford one, you can ask the court about a public defender.
Common questions about warrants in Rhode Island
Is there an online warrant search in Rhode Island?
Yes — Rhode Island runs an official statewide online warrant search. Read the caveats before you rely on it.
How do I find out if I have a warrant in Rhode Island?
Contact the clerk of the court that issued the warrant or the county sheriff’s records or warrant division. Search your case by name on the RI Judiciary Public Portal (statewide, free); Contact the clerk of the District Court or Superior Court where the charge is filed; Contact the local police department or the Rhode Island State Police that would hold the warrant.
What happens if a warrant is ignored in Rhode Island?
An outstanding warrant generally remains active until resolved and authorizes arrest at any contact with law enforcement. A missed court date can add a failure-to-appear issue and affect any existing bail. A warrant does not expire on its own.
What should I do about a warrant in Rhode Island?
Confirm the warrant and its details directly with the issuing District or Superior Court clerk. Note the case number and any scheduled hearing date. Ask the clerk about the process for resolving the matter, such as scheduling a hearing or surrendering on your own terms, and keep a record of your contacts.
Sources & official links
Everything on this page links out to official government sources. We don’t store or search records.
Last verified 2026-07-23 · 4 official sources