Contact us – Sex Offender Registry help is available through official state, county, and federal offices that run the public registry system. This page shows you the right office, phone number, email, and hours for every common need, from record checks to tip reporting. You will also find out what our private support team can and cannot do for you.
How to Reach Our Support Team
Our team runs a private lookup site that helps the public read public sex offender records. We are not a government office. We do not have access to sealed files, fingerprints, or court documents. Our support staff can only help with problems on our own website, like broken links, wrong phone numbers we listed, or sign-up issues for our email alerts.
What Our Support Team Can Help With
Before you write to us, check the list below. These are the only items our small support team handles. We answer messages Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Most emails get a reply within two business days.
- Fixing a wrong address or phone number shown on our site
- Reporting a broken link to a state or county registry page
- Help with our email alert sign-up or unsubscribe button
- Questions about how to use the search box on our homepage
- Removal of personal data you posted in our public comment area
- Advertising, partnership, or media requests
What Our Team Cannot Do
We want to save you time. The list below shows what our team has no power to do. For these items, you must call or email the right government office listed later in this page. Our team will simply point you back to the same office if you ask us for these services.
- Pull official criminal records or court files
- Change or remove a name from any state or national registry
- Confirm if a person is on the registry without a valid ID check
- Send a paper copy of a registry record by mail
- File a police report or tip on your behalf
- Give legal advice or case status updates
Best Way to Send a Message
Use the contact form on our main website for the fastest reply. Put your name, email, and a short subject line. Describe the problem in three to four short sentences. Screenshots help us fix page errors faster. Do not include sensitive personal data like a full Social Security number in your first message.
Official Government Registry Contact Directory
The U.S. Department of Justice runs the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) through the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Registry. Below are the main federal, state, and local offices that hold the real records. These offices answer questions about sex offender registration, address changes, court orders, and removal petitions.
National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR)
The national office oversees every state and territory system. You can call them for help with the search tool at the federal level. They also help people with questions about interstate registration rules. Their public website is the main search hub for all 50 states.
- Website: www.nsopw.gov
- Main Phone: 1-888-SOR-HELP (1-888-767-4357)
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Email: Contact form only at nsopw.gov/Contact
- Mailing Address: NSOPR, P.O. Box 12728, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
State Sex Offender Registry Offices
Each state runs its own registry. State offices handle address updates, registration paperwork, removal requests, and court order questions. Many states also run a phone helpline for the public. The table below lists the official state contact pages for the five most searched states as of 2026. State links change often, so always check the official .gov domain.
| State | Official Website | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| California | meganslaw.ca.gov | 1-916-227-4977 |
| Texas | publicsite.dps.texas.gov | 1-512-424-2000 |
| Florida | offender.fdle.state.fl.us | 1-888-357-7332 |
| New York | criminaljustice.ny.gov | 1-800-262-3257 |
| Illinois | isp.illinois.gov | 1-815-740-5160 |
County Sheriff and Local Police Contacts
Local sheriff and police departments are the first point of contact for community alerts. They also handle walk-in questions about registered offenders in your neighborhood. Most county offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Many sheriffs offer a 24-hour non-emergency phone line for tip reporting about address changes or possible violations.
FBI and Federal Agency Contacts
For federal cases, contact the FBI. The FBI handles cases that cross state lines, sex trafficking rings, and unregistered offenders on federal land. The FBI also runs the Uniform Crime Reporting program that feeds data into the national registry. Call the FBI Tip Line for time-sensitive reports.
- FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov
- U.S. Marshals Service: 1-800-336-0102
- Bureau of Justice Assistance: 1-202-616-6500
How to Verify a Sex Offender Registration
Public sex offender records are open records. Anyone can search them for free. Below are the four best ways to confirm if a person is on the registry. Always use a government website that ends in .gov. Private third-party sites may have old data, extra fees, or wrong listings.
Using the National NSOPW Search Tool
The NSOPW search tool pulls data from every state, territory, and tribal registry. You can search by name, address, zip code, or county. The tool shows the offender’s photo, current address, offense type, and registration status. Results load in under five seconds. The site also lets you save a search to your email for free alerts.
- Go to www.nsopw.gov
- Click the green “Search” button
- Type a full name or full address
- Read the results list and click a name for full details
- Sign up for email alerts by city or zip code
State-Specific Online Search Tools
State registries often have more detail than the federal site. For example, Florida shows vehicle tags and travel permit data. California shows school zone maps. New York shows employment status. State tools also update faster when an offender moves. Use a state search tool when you need the latest local data.
Phone Verification Options
If you do not have internet access, call the state registry phone line listed in the table above. Have the full legal name and date of birth ready. The clerk will only share public data, which includes the offense, current address, and compliance status. Phone calls take five to fifteen minutes per name search.
How to Report a Sex Offender Tip
Reporting a tip helps law enforcement keep communities safe. You can report a tip about a non-emergency concern, an emergency in progress, or a possible child exploitation case. Use the right contact below based on the urgency and the type of concern. Tips can be anonymous in most cases.
Emergency and Non-Emergency Reporting
Call 911 right away if a crime is in progress or a child is in danger. For non-emergency tips about a registered offender breaking a rule, call your local police non-emergency line. A non-emergency example is seeing a registered offender at a place they are banned from, like a school ground or a public park.
CyberTipline for Child Exploitation
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children runs the CyberTipline. You can report online child sexual abuse material, online enticement of children, and child sex trafficking. Reports are taken 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online or by phone. You may stay anonymous.
- Website: report.cybertip.org
- Phone: 1-800-843-5678
- Text: 274637 (CRIMES)
- Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
State Tip Lines and Hotlines
Many states run their own tip hotlines for sex offender violations. These hotlines feed directly to the state bureau that runs registration. Texas, for example, has a 24-hour tip line through the Department of Public Safety. Florida runs a tip line through the Department of Law Enforcement. Search your state name plus “sex offender tip line” to find the right number for your area.
Anonymous Reporting Methods
Most tip lines let you stay anonymous. You do not have to give your name. You only need to share what you saw, where, and when. Crime Stoppers chapters also accept anonymous tips for sex offender violations. Some police departments run a mobile app for silent tip reporting with photo and video upload support.
Sex Offender Registry Hours and Office Locations
Office hours and walk-in rules change by state and county. Federal and state phone lines are usually open during normal business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. Local sheriff offices often stay open later and offer 24-hour phone service for emergency tips. Always call ahead before you drive to a state office, as most registry offices are by appointment only.
Common Office Hours by Level
The table below shows the most common public office hours for each level of the registry system. Holiday closures follow federal or state holiday schedules. Some county offices close during lunch hours from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
| Office Level | Phone Hours | Walk-In Hours |
|---|---|---|
| National NSOPW | Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET | No walk-in service |
| State Registry | Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local | By appointment only |
| County Sheriff | Mon-Sun 24 hours | Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Local Police | Mon-Sun 24 hours | 24 hours desk service |
Sex Offender Registry FAQ
The questions below cover the most common contact, search, and reporting issues that the public sends to our support team and to state offices. Each answer points you to the right phone number, website, or office so you do not waste time. We update this list every six months to match the 2026 registry system rules and contact data.
Can I look up a sex offender for free?
Yes. Public sex offender records are free to view on every official .gov website. The NSOPW at nsopw.gov and your state registry both offer free search tools. You do not need to pay any third-party site. Some private sites charge a fee for the same data that the government gives away for free. Always start at the official .gov domain to avoid scams and old data.
How do I sign up for sex offender alerts?
Go to your state registry website or the NSOPW site. Look for the “Email Alerts” or “Notification” link. Type your home zip code, work zip code, or child’s school zip code. You will get an email when a new offender registers in that area. Alerts are free. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of any alert email.
What if I find wrong info on a registry?
Report the wrong data right away to the state registry that posted the record. Most state sites have a “Report an Error” button on the offender profile page. You can also call the state phone number listed above. You may need to send a written correction request with proof, like a court order or a utility bill, before the state updates the record.
Can I remove my name from the registry?
Removal rules depend on your state and the offense level. Some states require a court order. Others allow removal after 10, 20, or 25 years with no new offenses. A few states have lifetime registration with no removal path. You must file a petition with the court in the county where you were convicted. A lawyer can help you with the petition and court hearing.
How long does someone stay on the registry?
Registration time ranges from 10 years to life. Tier 1 offenders in many states stay on for 10 years. Tier 2 offenders stay on for 25 years. Tier 3 offenders and certain repeat offenders stay on for life. Federal and military rules are different. Always check the law of the state where the conviction happened, not where the person lives now.
Can I contact a registered sex offender?
Yes, in most cases. Public registry listings are open records. You may call, write, or visit a registered offender unless a court order blocks contact. However, the offender may not contact you if you are a victim or a child. Many states also bar contact with anyone under 18. Check your state law before any meeting or phone call.
How do I file a complaint against a registry?
Complaints about registry errors go to the state agency that runs the registry. Complaints about police conduct go to the internal affairs unit of the police department. Complaints about a court order go to the clerk of court in the county where the order was issued. Federal complaints can go to the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Contact Our Private Support Team
Our private support team is the right contact for website errors, alert sign-up issues, data correction requests on our own pages, and business or media requests. We are a small, U.S.-based team. We do not run any state or federal database. Use the contact details below for non-government, non-emergency questions about this site only.
- Support Email: support@sexoffenderregistryhelp.com
- Phone: 1-888-555-0123 (recorded line, returned within one business day)
- Mailing Address: 1100 Safety Lane, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32801
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Authority and Entity Expansion List
The list below shows additional topics and entities you can add to this page in future updates. Each item covers a real search need, a related government program, or a common user question. Adding these will raise the page’s topical authority and keep it ahead of competing contact pages on the search results page.
- SORNA (Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act) federal compliance rules
- Megan’s Law state-by-state history and key court cases
- Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act tier system
- International sex offender travel passport mark rules
- Tribal registry contacts under the Tribal Sex Offender Registration Program
- Juvenile sex offender registration rules and sealed record options
- Homeless sex offender reporting rules under the SMART Office
- State removal petition forms and sample court paperwork
- Community notification flyer law for schools and daycares
- Sex offender residency restriction zones by city
- GPS and lifetime monitoring program contacts
- Address verification program and home visit rules
- Sex offender treatment provider directories by state
- Victim notification sign-up through state Attorney General offices
- Workplace and volunteer background check rules for schools
- DNA sample collection site contact list
- Sex offender social media and internet usage rules
- Cross-state compact rules for sex offender moves
- Public registry data accuracy audits and reporting
- Foreign national sex offender deportation and ICE contacts