According to one embodiment, a search device includes a first comparison module, a determination module, a correction module, a second comparison module, and a search module. The first comparison module compares a received first key with a second key read from a nonvolatile memory. The determination module determines whether error correction is possible based on a first comparison result obtained by the first comparison module. The correction module generates a third key by applying an error correction process to the second key if the determination module determines that error correction is possible. The second comparison module compares the first key with the third key. The search module reads data associated with the second key in the nonvolatile memory if a second comparison result obtained by the second comparison module shows a match.