A search warrant being served is one of the more intimidating situations someone can face, precisely because it happens fast, with officers already at the door, and very little time to think clearly about what to actually do in the moment.

A valid warrant has to be signed by a judge and specify what's being searched for and where. You have the right to ask to see the actual warrant and confirm it's genuinely valid before anything proceeds, though officers executing a valid warrant don't need your permission to enter regardless.

You are not required to answer questions during a search, beyond basic identifying information in most situations. Anything said can potentially be used later, and staying calm, polite, and largely quiet, rather than volunteering explanations or information, is a real, legitimate right worth using rather than feeling obligated to fill the silence.

You can, and should, clearly state that you do not consent to any search beyond what the warrant specifically covers. This doesn't stop officers from executing a valid warrant, but it matters for the record if the scope of what's searched is ever challenged later.

Write down everything you can remember as soon as possible afterward — names, badge numbers if visible, what was said, what was taken. That record matters if anything about how the search was conducted needs to be reviewed by an attorney later.

Staying calm and knowing these specific rights doesn't prevent a search from happening. It protects your position throughout it and afterward, which is exactly what matters most in a moment that leaves little room to think clearly on your own.