How do I resolve a warrant and turn myself in in North Carolina?

The path to resolving a warrant in North Carolina

You do not have to wait to be caught off guard. This is the ordered, on-your-own-terms way to handle it — each step points to an official source.

1. Step 1

   Confirm the warrant or order for arrest and identify the county

   Contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the case is, or the county sheriff's warrant/records division, to confirm an order for arrest or bench warrant and to get the case or warrant number, the charge, and any scheduled court date. Provide your full name and date of birth.

   Official source

2. Step 2

   Ask the court about recalling or striking an order for arrest / bench warrant

   For a warrant issued because a court date was missed, ask the clerk how that court re-sets the matter and how the order for arrest can be recalled or stricken; filing a motion to recall the order for arrest is one available procedural option. This is noted only as an option, not as a recommended strategy. In North Carolina, the warrant this applies to is typically an order for Arrest / bench warrant (issued by a judge for failure to appear or failure to comply with a court order), and only the court that issued it can recall or re-set it.

   Official source

3. Step 3

   Arrange to appear or self-surrender on scheduled terms

   Depending on the warrant and the court's instructions, you may resolve it by appearing in court on a re-set date or by surrendering at the county detention center through the sheriff, where a magistrate sets conditions of release. Call ahead to confirm the correct location, hours, and procedure before going. In North Carolina, this is a matter of timing, not a legal outcome. Failing to appear or pay on a criminal or traffic case can lead the DMV to revoke your driver's license and can add a statutory failure-to-appear fee to the case (see N.C.G.S. 20-24.1 for motor-vehicle cases).

   Official source

4. Step 4

   First appearance before a magistrate and bond decision follow

   After being taken into custody and booked, a magistrate sets conditions of release under N.C.G.S. Section 15A-534: a written promise to appear, an unsecured bond, release to a custodian, or a secured bond you can satisfy by posting cash with the court or using a licensed bondsman for a fee (capped at 15% of the bond).

   Official source

Turning yourself in on your own terms in North Carolina

Surrendering on your own terms means you choose the timing and location within the court's or sheriff's procedures, typically during regular business hours, rather than being taken into custody unexpectedly during a traffic stop or at home or work. This is a logistical consideration only and does not predict any legal result.

How bail and release work in North Carolina

A commercial bail bond carries a non-refundable premium, which North Carolina law caps at 15% of the face amount of the bond (N.C.G.S. Section 58-71-95). A bondsman may also require reasonable collateral, which must be returned within a set time after the bond ends. Cash bail posted directly with the court is refundable (less any fees) if you make all required appearances.

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.

A few cautions before you go

• Confirm the warrant directly with the Clerk of Superior Court or the county sheriff before acting; do not rely on unofficial third-party 'warrant lookup' or bail-lead websites.
• A North Carolina commercial bond premium is capped by law at 15% of the bond (N.C.G.S. Section 58-71-95); ask the magistrate about a written-promise or unsecured release as an alternative to a secured bond.
• A warrant does not expire on its own; ignoring it leaves you subject to arrest at any law-enforcement contact. Failing to appear or pay on a criminal or traffic case can also lead the DMV to revoke your license and add a statutory failure-to-appear fee (N.C.G.S. 20-24.1).
• Call the court or detention center ahead of time to confirm the correct location, intake hours, and surrender procedure, which vary by county.

Contact the issuing court or county sheriff in North Carolina

A warrant is issued by a court and served by the county sheriff — they are who can confirm it and tell you the exact way to resolve it. Start with these official North Carolina sources.

• North Carolina Judicial Branch (NC Courts)
• NC eCourts Public Portal
• North Carolina Department of Public Safety (State Highway Patrol)
• North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation

Common questions about resolving a warrant in North Carolina

Sources & last verified

Everything here links out to official government or public-reference sources. We don't store or republish records.

• ncleg.gov
• nccourts.gov
• portal-nc.tylertech.cloud
• ncdps.gov
• ncsbi.gov
• ncsbi.gov

Last verified 2026-07-23 · 6 sources