SC · Warrant guide
Is there an online warrant search in South Carolina?
Partly — some South Carolina counties publish an online warrant search, but there’s no single statewide one.
Official source
Open an official county search Opens an official county site in a new tab. Coverage varies by county — a name that isn’t listed does not rule out a warrant in another county or court.Last verified 2026-07-23Coverage Some countiesJurisdiction South Carolina
The official online lookup
There is no statewide public warrant search.
The SC Judicial Branch Case Records Search (Public Index) shows case and charge records selected by county, not warrant status (and as of January 1, 2026 it no longer displays home addresses).
However, some county sheriff's offices run their own public warrant searches — for example, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office 'Warrants Search' — which carry a disclaimer that the data may not be current because warrants are recalled, removed, or added throughout the day.
Availability and coverage vary by county.
How to find out if you have a warrant in South Carolina
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.
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Use your county sheriff's online warrant search, where one exists
Some SC sheriffs publish a public warrant search — for example, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office Warrants Search — with a disclaimer that listings may not be fully current. Check your county sheriff's website.
Open official site -
Call the clerk of court (magistrate, municipal, or general sessions) in the county where charged
South Carolina magistrate and municipal courts issue many bench warrants for missed appearances or unpaid fines; the clerk in the issuing court can confirm an outstanding warrant and your next date. Find courts through the SC Judicial Branch site.
Open official site -
Contact the county sheriff's warrants division directly
The sheriff's warrants unit can confirm a warrant and explain how to address it or arrange to turn yourself in. For example, the Charleston County Sheriff's Warrants Office can be reached at (843) 529-7391.
Open official site -
Request your SC criminal-history record via SLED CATCH
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's CATCH (Citizens Access To Criminal Histories) system lets you request a state criminal-history record check online.
Open official site
Types of warrants in South Carolina
Not every warrant means the same thing. These are the common types.
- Bench warrant / failure-to-appear
- FTA) warrant — issued by a magistrate, municipal, or circuit judge for a missed appearance, unpaid fine, 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.
Missed appearances or unpaid fines in magistrate/municipal cases can escalate, and failure to pay certain traffic tickets can lead to a driver's-license suspension.
A warrant does not expire on its own.
What you can do
Procedural steps only — no outcome is predicted.
Check your county sheriff's warrant search if one is available and confirm the details with the issuing court clerk.
Note the case number and any scheduled court date.
Contact the sheriff's warrants division about the process for resolving the matter 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 South Carolina
Is there an online warrant search in South Carolina?
Some South Carolina counties publish an online warrant search, but there’s no single statewide one.
How do I find out if I have a warrant in South Carolina?
Contact the clerk of the court that issued the warrant or the county sheriff’s records or warrant division. Use your county sheriff's online warrant search, where one exists; Call the clerk of court (magistrate, municipal, or general sessions) in the county where charged; Contact the county sheriff's warrants division directly.
What happens if a warrant is ignored in South Carolina?
An outstanding warrant generally remains active until resolved and authorizes arrest at any contact with law enforcement. Missed appearances or unpaid fines in magistrate/municipal cases can escalate, and failure to pay certain traffic tickets can lead to a driver's-license suspension. A warrant does not expire on its own.
What should I do about a warrant in South Carolina?
Check your county sheriff's warrant search if one is available and confirm the details with the issuing court clerk. Note the case number and any scheduled court date. Contact the sheriff's warrants division about the process for resolving the matter 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 · 5 official sources