Official form guide
Form 34.57 Search Warrant - Criminal Procedure Act 2010, Section 18(2)
Form 34.57 is a Search Warrant application under Section 18(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2010. It is used by a judge or authorized court officer to authorise a search of premises in a criminal investigation.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 34.57 Search Warrant - Criminal Procedure Act 2010, Section 18(2)
Form 34.57 is a Search Warrant application under Section 18(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2010. It is used by a judge or authorized court officer to authorise a search of premises in a criminal investigation.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting to attach the supporting affidavit, which can invalidate the warrant.
- 2Missing or incorrect address details
- 3Failing to attach supporting affidavits
- 4Using an outdated version of the form
- 5Submitting after the planned search time
Plain English
If the police need a court's permission to search a house, business or other location, they fill out this form. It tells the court why the search is needed and what they expect to find. The judge then decides whether to grant the warrant.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The warrant must be signed by the judge before the police enter the premises; filing after the intended search time is not permissible.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use when a search is required under Section 18(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2010.
- Do not use for routine traffic stops or searches without a court order.
- If the search involves a person’s vehicle only, consider Form 34.58 (Vehicle Search Warrant).
- For searches outside Ireland, a different statutory instrument applies.
- When the search is part of a bail condition, the bail order may provide the authority instead.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Search of a vehicle only
Specific to cars, vans, etc.
✓ Verify the target is only a vehicle.
Emergency search without prior warrant
Used when delay would jeopardise evidence
✓ Confirm urgency criteria are met.
Search of a corporate premises
Includes company registration details
✓ Ensure CRO number is included.
Deadline or filing window
The warrant must be signed by the judge before the police enter the premises; filing after the intended search time is not permissible.
Before you submit
- 1Correct address and description of premises entered.
- 2All items to be seized clearly listed.
- 3Supporting affidavit attached and signed.
- 4Form signed by the requesting officer.
- 5Judge’s signature and date present.
- 6Form version checked against the Courts Service site.
- 7Copy retained for the investigating team.
- 8Delivery method (in‑person, post, e‑filing) confirmed.
How to file this form
- 1Prepare supporting affidavit and gather evidence.
- 2Complete all sections of Form 34.57.
- 3Sign the form and have the affidavit signed.
- 4Submit the package to the appropriate court registry.
- 5Obtain the judge’s signature and return the signed warrant to the police.
- 6File a copy with the case file for future reference.
Known limitations
- 1Only applicable for searches under Section 18(2) of the 2010 Act.
- 2Does not cover emergency or ex‑parte searches.
- 3Requires a judge’s signature; cannot be authorized by a magistrate.
- 4Electronic filing may not be available in all districts.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Proceedings
3 items
The names of the parties exactly as they appear on the originating document.
The court record number for the case, if one has been assigned.
The court and the office where the document is being filed.
Substance
2 items
What you are asking the court to do, or the information the form requires.
The facts relied on and any documents exhibited with the filing.
Execution
1 items
Signed, sworn or certified as the form requires, with proof of service where needed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 34.57 is currently the approved version for Section 18(2) searches. No major revisions have been announced in 2024, but check the Courts Service website for any updates before filing.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form header shows 'Form 34.57 – Search Warrant (Criminal Procedure Act 2010, s.18(2))'.
- Check for any new mandatory fields added in the 2023 amendment.
- Verify the signature block matches the latest court officer titles.
- Ensure the attached affidavit template is the current version.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 20/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number derived from the request.
- SRCSection 18(2) reference inferred from Criminal Procedure Act 2010.
- SRCSubmission methods based on typical Courts Service practices.
- SRCRisk and confusion points generated from common procedural issues.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact deadline wording and electronic filing availability.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form 34.57 with Form 34.58 (vehicle searches).
Leaving the ‘special conditions’ box blank when conditions exist.
Assuming an oral request from a judge is sufficient without a written warrant.
Submitting the form to the wrong court registry.
Using an old template that lacks new signature fields.
Failing to note the exact time window for the warrant’s validity.
Source transparency
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