Bradford County Sex Offender Registry is the official Florida system that tracks people convicted of qualifying sex offenses who live, work, or attend school in Bradford County, Florida. The registry runs through the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office in Starke, which works with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, known as FDLE, to keep records current. This page explains who must register, how to search the public database, what rules apply to registrants, and what to do if you need to check a person’s status in 2026.
What the Bradford County Sex Offender Registry Covers
The registry is a public list of people who must report personal details to law enforcement under Florida law. The list includes names, photos, home addresses, work locations, and vehicle plates. The state runs the central database through FDLE. Each county sheriff, including the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office, sends updates to that database whenever a registrant moves, changes jobs, or changes vehicles.
Two Legal Categories of Registrants
Florida separates registered people into two groups. The first group is sexual offenders. These are people convicted of certain crimes under Florida law or under laws from other states that match Florida’s list. The second group is sexual predators. A court gives this label at sentencing when the crime meets a higher standard, such as repeat offenses or crimes against children under 13.
Both groups appear on the public registry. Sexual predators face stricter rules. They must check in with the sheriff four times a year. Sexual offenders check in twice a year. Sexual predators also trigger stronger community alerts when they move into a neighborhood.
Why Florida Maintains the Registry
The registry exists to help law enforcement track people convicted of sex crimes and to give the public a way to see who lives nearby. Florida passed its first registration law in 1994 after several high-profile cases. Since then, the rules have grown to cover more crimes, longer reporting times, and tighter residency limits. The goal is public safety through clear, public records.
Bradford County Sheriff’s Registration Office
The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office handles every step of sex offender registration inside the county. The office sits in Starke, which is the county seat. If a person lives in Starke, Lawtey, Hampton, Brooker, or any rural part of Bradford County, they must register through this one office. City police departments inside Bradford County do not process registration paperwork.
Location and Contact Details
The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office address is 945-B N Temple Avenue, Starke, Florida 32091. The main phone number is (904) 966-6386. The office also has a website at www.bradfordsheriff.com where residents can find current hours and contact forms. The office is the only place in Bradford County where someone can complete first-time registration or report a change to registered details.
Office Hours and Walk-in Procedures
The office takes in-person registrants during normal business hours, but hours can change. Call the main number before going in. First-time registrants should bring their conviction paperwork, photo ID, Social Security card, proof of address, and vehicle registration. Staff will take a new photo, collect fingerprints, and record all personal details into the statewide system.
Registrants do not need an appointment for a check-in visit, but calling ahead saves time. The office handles a steady flow of regular check-ins, especially around the start and middle of each year when most reporting deadlines fall.
Who Must Register in Bradford County
Florida law lists the offenses that require registration. They include sexual battery, lewd or lascivious offenses, child pornography, kidnapping of a minor with sexual intent, and certain internet crimes against children. Out-of-state convictions that match Florida’s list also require registration. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office uses the conviction paperwork to decide which tier applies and how often the person must report.
Florida Resident Registrants
Anyone who lives in Bradford County and was convicted of a qualifying Florida crime must register. This includes people on probation, people who finished their sentence, and people on community control. Registration starts before release from prison or jail. The Department of Corrections forwards records to FDLE and the local sheriff. The sheriff then sets up the in-person check-in schedule.
Out-of-State Movers and New Arrivals
People who move to Bradford County from another state must report within 48 hours of establishing any type of residence. A residence includes a home, a rental, staying with family, or sleeping in a vehicle parked in the county. The 48-hour clock starts on the first day the person has any form of address in the county. They must bring their original conviction documents from the other state.
The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office will review the out-of-state conviction and place the person in the right Florida tier. The person will then follow Florida’s reporting schedule, which may be stricter than the schedule from the other state.
Transient and Homeless Registrants
A transient registrant is someone without a fixed address. Florida law treats transient status as a higher-risk category. Transient registrants in Bradford County must report to the sheriff every 30 days. They must also report each location they sleep at, even for a single night. The sheriff documents the temporary address and updates the FDLE database.
Registration Reporting Rules and Deadlines
Reporting on time is the most important duty for any registrant. Florida’s sex offender registration law, Florida Statute 943.0435, sets the schedule. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office enforces this schedule for everyone who lives in the county. Missing a deadline can lead to a felony charge, even if the original crime was a misdemeanor.
Standard Reporting Schedule
Sexual offenders report twice per year. The two reports are usually six months apart. Sexual predators report four times per year, once every three months. Each report is an in-person visit to the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office. The visit confirms the registrant’s current address, job, school status, phone number, email, and vehicles.
The 48-Hour Change Rule
Any change to registered details triggers a 48-hour reporting deadline. The change can be a new address, a new job, a new school, a new phone number, a new email, a new social media account, a new vehicle, or a new license plate. The registrant must appear in person at the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office within 48 hours of the change.
The 48-hour rule is strict. There is no grace period. The clock starts at the moment the change happens, not when the person decides to report. Driving to the office, waiting in line, and signing paperwork all happen within the 48 hours.
Penalties for Missing Deadlines
Failing to report or failing to report a change on time is a third-degree felony in Florida. A third-degree felony can carry up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The charge is separate from any new crime. A registrant can be charged even if no other crime took place. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office forwards missed-deadline cases to the State Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
How to Search the Bradford County Registry
The public can search the registry for free. The most accurate and current tool is the FDLE sex offender database, which covers every Florida county, including Bradford. The database is open 24 hours a day, and no login is needed. Searches return photos, names, registered addresses, and offense details.
Using the FDLE Statewide Database
The FDLE database is at offender.fdle.state.fl.us. To narrow results to Bradford County, set the county filter to Bradford. The filter pulls only records that the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office has reported. Records refresh within 24 hours of any change, so the data stays close to real time.
You can search by name if you know who you are looking for. You can also leave the name blank and browse all results for the county. Each profile shows the person’s photo, physical description, current address, and the offense that triggered registration.
Address-Based and ZIP Code Searches
The FDLE tool supports address and ZIP code searches. Type in a Bradford County address, a city name, or a ZIP code. The tool returns all registrants tied to that location or within a set radius. The map view shows pins on a county map, which is useful for seeing clusters around schools, parks, or specific neighborhoods.
Bradford County is small. The total number of registrants is lower than in larger counties, so a full county browse is practical and quick. For searches close to a county line, also run the search in the bordering county.
Reading a Registry Profile
Each profile has the same structure. It shows the person’s legal name, any aliases, a photo, height, weight, eye and hair color, and race. The profile lists the current registered address, the offense code, the conviction date, and the registration tier. The tier tells you whether the person is a sexual offender or a sexual predator.
The profile also shows whether the person is in compliance with registration. A compliant record means the person has reported on time. A non-compliant flag means the person has missed a deadline or has a warrant. Call the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 966-6386 if you see a non-compliant flag and need more details.
Residency and Location Restrictions
Florida law restricts where registered sex offenders and predators can live. The rule is in Florida Statute 775.215. The state sets a minimum distance between a registrant’s home and places where children gather. Local cities and counties can add their own rules on top of the state rule.
The 1,000-Foot Buffer Zone
No registrant may live within 1,000 feet of a school, day care center, park, playground, or other listed child-care location. The 1,000-foot measurement runs from the property line of the restricted site to the registrant’s residence. The rule does not measure door to door. It measures property line to property line.
Common restricted location types include:
- Public and private schools (K-12)
- Licensed day care centers
- Public parks with playgrounds
- School bus stops in some local zones
- Public libraries in certain cities
In a small county like Bradford, a single school or park can block a large area. Anyone subject to registration should map restricted zones before signing a lease or buying property. Rural land is not automatically outside the buffer. A rural home near a small park or school bus stop can still fall within the restricted zone.
Local Ordinances in Starke and Bradford County
The City of Starke and other towns inside Bradford County can pass their own rules that go beyond the state minimum. Local rules can add new restricted location types, expand the buffer, or set curfews. Contact Starke City Hall or the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office before signing any housing agreement. The sheriff handles state rules. City Hall handles local rules.
Community Notification and Alert Systems
Florida uses two main alert tools. The first is the FDLE registry, which lists everyone in the public database. The second is the Florida Offender Alert system, which sends email notices when a new registrant moves into a chosen area. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office also performs direct community notification in some cases.
Florida Offender Alert Email Service
Florida Offender Alert is a free email service at floridaoffenderalert.com. You set up an address or addresses you want to watch. You set a radius around each address. When a new registrant registers within that radius, the system sends an email. Alerts typically go out within hours of the registry update.
The service pulls from the same FDLE database as the public search tool. It is a good fit for Bradford County residents who want updates without checking the database every day. Parents, schools, day cares, and neighborhood groups use the service to track new registrations.
Bradford County Sheriff Notifications
When a sexual predator registers a new Bradford County address, the sheriff’s office coordinates with FDLE on community notification. Notification can include direct contact with neighbors, schools, day cares, and community organizations. The exact process depends on the predator’s risk level and the location.
The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office also responds to questions from the public about specific registrants. Call (904) 966-6386 for non-emergency questions. For emergencies or active threats, call 911.
Registration Removal and Tier Changes
Some registrants can be removed from the registry after meeting legal conditions. Removal is not automatic. The registrant must follow a legal process. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office does not remove people from the registry on its own. Removal happens through the courts or through FDLE after a set time period.
When Registrants Can Be Removed
Florida law allows removal in limited cases. People convicted of certain low-level offenses may qualify for removal after 20 or 25 years, depending on the offense and the date of conviction. Removal also depends on a clean record during that time. New arrests, new convictions, or registration violations can block removal.
Court-Ordered Relief and Petitions
A registrant can file a petition in court to be removed from the registry or to have their tier changed. The court reviews the original offense, the time since conviction, the registrant’s behavior, and any risk assessment. A judge makes the final call. FDLE and the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office follow the court order once it is signed and entered into the system.
Nearby County Registries and Cross-Border Search
Bradford County borders Baker, Union, Alachua, Clay, Putnam, and Columbia counties. People move between these counties often. If you are searching the FDLE database, you can change the county filter to check any of these nearby counties. Each county has its own sheriff’s office that handles local registration.
Counties Bordering Bradford
For addresses close to a county line, run the search in both counties. A registrant who lives two miles east of the Bradford-Clay line will not show up in a Bradford-only search if their address sits inside Clay County. The same rule applies to every border that touches another Florida county.
Bradford County Sheriff’s Office Contact Details
The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office is the single point of contact for sex offender registration in Bradford County. Use the details below for registration questions, status checks, or community notifications. The office is open during normal business hours. Call ahead to confirm times for first-time registration visits.
Address and Phone
The office is located in Starke, Florida. The phone line is staffed during normal business hours. The main number routes calls to the records and registration desks.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | Bradford County Sheriff’s Office |
| Street Address | 945-B N Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091 |
| Phone | (904) 966-6386 |
| Website | www.bradfordsheriff.com |
| Emergency | Dial 911 |
Google Maps link for the office: maps.google.com/?q=945-B+N+Temple+Avenue+Starke+FL+32091
Office Hours and Walk-In Info
Office hours change. Call the main number before going in for first-time registration. Bring conviction paperwork, photo ID, proof of address, vehicle registration, Social Security card, and any prior registration documents. Staff will take a new photo, collect fingerprints, and run the records check before updating the statewide system.
FDLE and Alert Resources
For statewide public searches, use the FDLE database at offender.fdle.state.fl.us. For free email alerts on new Bradford County registrations, use floridaoffenderalert.com. Both tools pull from the same official source and update within 24 hours of any local change.
Bradford County Sex Offender Registry FAQs
The questions below cover the most common search topics tied to the Bradford County Sex Offender Registry. Each answer is built from current Florida law, FDLE public records, and the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office registration rules. Use these answers as a starting point. For case-specific questions, contact the sheriff’s office or a licensed attorney.
How Often Do Registrants Report in Bradford County?
Sexual offenders report in person to the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office twice per year. Sexual predators report four times per year. Each visit confirms the registrant’s current home, job, vehicle, phone, email, and online accounts. Any change to these details must be reported within 48 hours. Transient registrants without a fixed address must report every 30 days. The reporting schedule does not change based on where the registrant lives inside the county. Starke, Lawtey, Hampton, Brooker, and rural areas all follow the same rule. Missed check-ins are third-degree felonies under Florida law, even if the person is only one day late. The state treats the deadline as a hard cutoff, not a soft reminder.
Can I Remove My Name From the Bradford County Registry?
Some people can be removed after a long waiting period. The waiting period depends on the offense and the conviction date. Florida law allows removal for certain low-level offenses after 20 or 25 years if the registrant has a clean record. A clean record means no new convictions, no new registration violations, and no pending charges. The registrant must file a petition or apply through FDLE. The court or FDLE makes the final call. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office cannot remove anyone on its own. Removal is not guaranteed. Each case is reviewed on its own facts, the original conviction, and the registrant’s behavior since release.
What Is the 1,000-Foot Residency Rule in Bradford County?
Florida Statute 775.215 bars registrants from living within 1,000 feet of a school, day care, park, or playground. The measurement runs from the property line of the restricted site to the property line of the registrant’s home. In small towns, a single school can block many streets. Starke and Bradford County can also add local rules on top of the state rule. Check both the state rule and any local ordinance before signing a lease or buying a home. Rural land is not automatically safe. A rural home near a small park or school bus stop can still fall within the 1,000-foot buffer. Local cities can also expand the list of restricted locations beyond what state law covers.
How Do I Set Up Email Alerts for Bradford County?
Go to floridaoffenderalert.com. Create a free account. Enter the Bradford County address you want to watch. Set a search radius. The system sends an email when a new registrant registers within that radius. The data comes from the same FDLE database as the public search tool. Alerts usually go out within hours of a registration update. You can add multiple addresses and adjust the radius at any time. The service is free for personal and community use. Many Bradford County parents, day cares, schools, and neighborhood groups use this service to keep current without running a manual search each week.
Is the FDLE Database the Same as Bradford County’s List?
Yes. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office sends all registration data to FDLE within 24 hours. The FDLE database is the official public list. The sheriff’s office does not run a separate public database. When you search at offender.fdle.state.fl.us and filter by Bradford County, you see the same records the sheriff’s office has on file. The data is updated within 24 hours of any local change, so the database is close to real time. For questions about a specific profile, call the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 966-6386. The office can also confirm tier, compliance status, and offense details that may not show in the public search tool.
What Happens When a Registrant Leaves Bradford County?
The registrant must report the move to the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office within 48 hours. The sheriff updates the FDLE database and forwards the file to the new county’s sheriff. The new county sets up a new reporting schedule. The registrant must register in the new county within 48 hours of establishing residence there. Skipping any step in the move process is a third-degree felony. The rule applies to moves anywhere in Florida, to other states, and to other countries. Out-of-state moves require the same 48-hour reporting window at the destination plus a notice to the originating state registry. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office can provide a transfer packet before the move.
Are Juvenile Offenders on the Bradford County Registry?
Some juveniles are listed, but the rules are different. Florida requires registration for certain juveniles who are tried as adults for sex offenses. Juveniles handled in the juvenile system are not on the public registry. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office follows the court order for each case. If a juvenile is required to register, the case follows the same rules as adult registration: check-ins, the 48-hour change rule, and residency limits all apply. Parents or guardians of juvenile registrants can ask the sheriff’s office for the exact reporting schedule tied to the court order. Some juvenile cases are sealed, which means the public profile may not show up in the FDLE search tool. The sheriff’s office can confirm the registration status of a juvenile case by phone.