The Madison County Sex Offender Registry is a public list of every person required by Florida law to register as a sex offender or sexual predator in Madison County, Florida. This north Florida county sits along the I-10 corridor. The county seat is the city of Madison. About 20,000 people live in the area. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office handles the local part of registration. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, called FDLE, runs the public search tool where anyone can look up registered people.
This page explains who must register, what the law requires, and how to use the public registry. It covers the duties of the sheriff’s office, the registration deadlines, the residency rules, and the free alert tools available to the public. All details below come from current Florida state law and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office as of 2026.
What the Madison County Sex Offender Registry Is
The Madison County Sex Offender Registry keeps a record of every sex offender and sexual predator who lives, works, or spends time in the county. The list is public. Florida law requires the list to stay open so neighbors, parents, schools, and employers can search the names and addresses of registered people.
Each name on the list belongs to a person convicted of a qualifying sex crime under Florida law. Some of these people are labeled as sexual offenders. Others are labeled as sexual predators. Both groups must register. Both groups appear in the same public search. The label affects how often the person reports to the sheriff and what kind of public notice happens when they move.
Madison County uses the same statewide database as every other Florida county. The local sheriff’s office collects the data from each registrant. That data then moves to FDLE. FDLE posts it on the public search site. The data refreshes within 24 hours after any change.
Who Must Register as a Sex Offender
Any person convicted of a qualifying sex offense in Florida must register. The law also covers people convicted in other states, in federal court, or in military court. A person who moves to Madison County after a conviction in another state owes registration here. The same rule applies to anyone visiting for more than a short stay.
Common qualifying offenses include sexual battery, lewd acts with a child under 16, child pornography, and kidnapping with a sexual motive. The full list of qualifying crimes appears in Florida Statute § 943.0435. Some lesser offenses also trigger registration if the court labels them as qualifying sex crimes.
Juvenile offenders can also end up on the registry. Florida requires registration for certain juvenile sex offenses based on the age of the victim and the seriousness of the crime. The juvenile follows the same reporting rules as an adult once placed on the registry.
How Long Registration Lasts
Florida registration is a lifetime duty in most cases. It does not end after a set number of years. Some federal court rulings have changed parts of the lifetime rule, but most registered people in Madison County stay on the list for life unless a court orders removal.
A person can ask a court for removal only under narrow legal paths. The court reviews the request. The judge looks at the original offense, the time since conviction, and the person’s behavior since release. The removal request must follow the law and meet all legal standards.
Florida Statutes That Control the Registry
Three main Florida laws control the Madison County Sex Offender Registry. Each law covers a different part of registration, predator status, and residency. Reading all three gives the full picture of how the registry works.
Florida Statute § 943.0435
This statute is the main registration law for sexual offenders. It sets the list of qualifying crimes, the duty to register, the reporting schedule, and the penalty for missing a deadline. Sexual offenders in Madison County must follow every rule in this statute.
The statute sets the two-year and four-year reporting schedules. Sexual offenders report twice per year. Sexual predators report four times per year. The statute also covers the 48-hour rule for changes. A new address, vehicle, job, or online account must be reported within 48 hours of the change.
Florida Sexual Predators Act and § 775.21
The Florida Sexual Predators Act adds extra rules for people the court labels as sexual predators. A judge makes this label at sentencing for certain serious crimes. The label can also come from a prior sex offense history.
Predators report four times per year. They also face active community notification when they move into a new area. FDLE sends the notification to local police, schools, and other groups. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office receives the notice for any new predator who registers in the county.
Residency Rules Under § 775.215
This statute creates the 1,000-foot residency restriction. No registered person can live within 1,000 feet of a school, day care, park, playground, or other place where children gather. The rule applies statewide, including Madison County.
The distance runs from the property line of the restricted place to the offender’s home. Anyone planning a move should measure the distance before signing a lease. Local cities can add extra rules beyond the state rule. Madison County residents must check both the state law and any local ordinance before settling on a new address.
How Offenders Register in Madison County
Every person required to register in Madison County must do so at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. No city police department in the county handles registration. The sheriff’s office sits at 236 SW Pinckney Street in the city of Madison, Florida. The zip code is 32340. The office phone number is (850) 973-4151.
Where and When to Register
Registration takes place in person at the sheriff’s office. New residents must register within 48 hours of establishing any kind of residence in the county. A motel stay, a relative’s home, or any other temporary housing all count as a residence under the law.
The sheriff’s office keeps set hours for registration appointments. Smaller county offices may not process registrations every weekday. Call (850) 973-4151 to confirm the current registration hours before going to the office.
What Information Gets Collected
The sheriff collects a full set of identifying details from each registrant. The list includes a photograph, fingerprints, full legal name, date of birth, race, sex, and Social Security number. The sheriff also collects the home address, employer details, vehicle plate numbers, and all email addresses and online account names.
Each piece of data goes into the state database. The sheriff forwards the data to FDLE within 24 hours of any change. The 24-hour rule applies to new photos, new fingerprints, and any updates to the personal details list.
Reporting Schedule for Offenders and Predators
Sexual offenders report to the sheriff twice per year. Sexual predators report four times per year. Both groups must report in person. Both groups must also report any change in registered details within 48 hours of the change.
The 48-hour window does not pause for weekends or holidays. A change on Friday night is still due by Sunday. Missing the deadline is a third-degree felony. The maximum penalty is five years in state prison.
| Registrant Type | Reports Per Year | Change Reporting Window |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual Offender | 2 | 48 hours |
| Sexual Predator | 4 | 48 hours |
| Transient (no fixed address) | Every 30 days | 48 hours |
Transient Registration Rules
Anyone without a fixed address must register as a transient. A transient reports to the sheriff every 30 days. The 30-day cycle keeps going until the person sets up and registers a permanent address. Staying in a motel, with family, or in a vehicle all count as transient living.
Madison County sits along I-10. Transient people pass through the county on the highway. The law treats time spent here as a registration trigger. Any transient in Madison County must follow the 30-day reporting rule.
Madison County Sheriff’s Office Details
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is the only place in the county where sex offender registration takes place. The office works with FDLE to keep records up to date. The sheriff’s office also helps the public with questions about local registration rules and residency restrictions.
Contact Information and Location
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office sits at 236 SW Pinckney Street, Madison, FL 32340. The main phone number is (850) 973-4151. The official website is www.madisonsheriff.com. The sheriff’s office answers questions about registration hours, change reporting, and the local residency rules.
The office is the central registration location for the entire county. Anyone new to Madison County, even those moving to small towns like Lee or Greenville, must register at this address. No other law enforcement office in the county processes registration.
Registration Hours and Office Access
The sheriff’s office processes sex offender registrations during set business hours. The hours can change based on staffing. Call (850) 973-4151 before going to the office. This step confirms the current registration window and avoids wasted trips.
New residents get a registration appointment during their first visit. The appointment includes photo capture, fingerprinting, and the full data collection. The whole process takes about one hour. Repeat visits for scheduled reports are shorter.
Border Counties and Registration
Madison County borders Jefferson County, Taylor County, Hamilton County, Suwannee County, and Leon County. Any registered person who lives in Madison County but regularly works or spends time in a border county may owe registration in that county too.
Multi-county registration is not automatic. Each county’s sheriff requires a separate in-person registration. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office can answer questions about when neighboring county registration applies.
- Jefferson County – separate sheriff registration needed
- Taylor County – separate sheriff registration needed
- Hamilton County – separate sheriff registration needed
- Suwannee County – separate sheriff registration needed
- Leon County – separate sheriff registration needed
Using the FDLE Public Search Tool
The official public database for the Madison County Sex Offender Registry is the FDLE Offender Search. The search is free. No account is needed. Anyone with internet access can search the registry at any time.
How to Search by County
The FDLE search tool lets you filter by county. Select Madison County from the county dropdown. The system pulls all current registrants in the county. Results show each person’s name, photo, registered address, and offense details.
The tool also lets you search by name. Enter a first and last name to check one person. The results show the current address and registration status. Use the county filter to see every registrant in Madison County at once.
Profile Details Shown to the Public
Each profile shows the person’s full legal name and any aliases. The profile lists the current registered address. A photograph shows the person’s face. The profile lists the qualifying offense, the date of conviction, and the court of conviction.
The profile also labels the person as either a sexual offender or a sexual predator. The label tells the public which reporting schedule applies. The profile shows the date of last registration at the sheriff’s office.
Mobile Access and Account Setup
The FDLE search works on mobile phones and tablets. No app download is needed. The site uses a mobile-friendly web layout. You can search from any device with internet access.
No account setup is needed for the basic search. Anyone can browse the registry without signing in. The FDLE alert system does require an account for email notifications, which the next section covers.
Madison County Residency Restrictions
Florida law puts strict residency rules on every person on the Madison County Sex Offender Registry. The rules aim to keep registered people away from places where children gather. The rules apply to renters and owners. The rules apply to all living situations.
The 1,000-Foot Rule Explained
The 1,000-foot rule bars registered people from living within 1,000 feet of a school, day care, park, playground, or similar location. The distance is measured in a straight line. The starting point is the property line of the restricted place. The ending point is the offender’s residence.
In a small town with one school, much of the residential housing can fall inside the 1,000-foot zone. Registered people in Madison County should check any new address before signing a lease. The sheriff’s office can answer questions about specific properties.
Types of Restricted Locations
Florida law lists several restricted location types. Each type bars registered people from living within 1,000 feet.
- Public, private, and charter schools (K-12)
- Licensed day care centers
- Public parks and playgrounds
- School bus stops during posted hours
- Libraries with children’s programs
- Recreation centers used by children
The list can grow as state law changes. Local cities can add more restricted places through local ordinances. Always check the current list before committing to an address.
Local Ordinances in Madison County
The City of Madison and any other municipality in Madison County can pass local rules that add to the state rules. Local rules can set longer distances, add new location types, or impose other restrictions.
Anyone moving into Madison County should ask the sheriff’s office about local rules. The clerk at city hall in Madison can also share any city-level rules that apply. Reading both state and local rules protects the registrant from new felony charges.
Free Alert Tools for Local Residents
Madison County residents can get free alerts when a sex offender registers nearby. Two main alert tools work for this area. Both tools pull data straight from the FDLE database.
Florida Offender Alert Email Service
The Florida Offender Alert service sends free email alerts when a sex offender registers near a chosen address. The service covers all of Florida, including Madison County. Sign up at www.floridaoffenderalert.com. Enter an address and set a monitoring radius. The radius can cover a single block or several miles.
When a new registration or address update falls inside the radius, the service sends an email. Alerts cover new registrations and changes to existing registrants. The email arrives within hours of the registry update.
Sheriff’s Office Community Tips
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office shares community safety tips on its website and through local events. The tips cover topics like online safety for children, home security, and how to talk with kids about stranger safety. The sheriff’s office can answer direct questions by phone at (850) 973-4151.
Residents can ask the sheriff’s office about active community notification events in their area. The notification events happen when a new sexual predator moves into the neighborhood. FDLE handles the official notification process in Florida.
Cities and Towns in Madison County
Madison County has a small population. About 20,000 people live in the county. The county seat is the city of Madison. Other communities in the county include Lee and Greenville. No city in Madison County meets the population threshold for a separate sex offender registry page.
All sex offender registration for county residents takes place at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at 236 SW Pinckney Street in Madison. The sheriff’s office serves every neighborhood in the county, from the city of Madison to the small rural communities along I-10.
Quick Contact Reference for Residents
This quick reference lists the main contact details and search tools for the Madison County Sex Offender Registry. Save these details for fast access. The sheriff’s office is the only place in the county where registration happens.
Office: Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Address: 236 SW Pinckney Street, Madison, FL 32340. Phone: (850) 973-4151. Official Website: www.madisonsheriff.com. Office hours for registration: call (850) 973-4151 to confirm current hours before visiting.
FDLE Search Tool: offender.fdle.state.fl.us. Florida Offender Alert: www.floridaoffenderalert.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about the Madison County Sex Offender Registry. The questions cover registration, residency, search tools, and family safety. Each answer uses current Florida law and the current Madison County Sheriff’s Office policy.
Can I look up sex offenders in Madison County for free?
Yes. The FDLE Offender Search tool is free. The site is at offender.fdle.state.fl.us. Select Madison County from the county dropdown to see all registrants. The search shows photos, addresses, and offense details. No account or payment is needed for any search.
How long does sex offender registration last in Florida?
Florida registration is a lifetime duty in most cases. The law does not set a fixed end date. A person can ask a court for removal, but the court only grants removal in narrow cases. The court looks at the original offense, the time since conviction, and behavior since release.
Difference Between Sex Offender and Predator
A sexual offender is a person convicted of a qualifying sex crime. A sexual predator is a person the court labels as a predator at sentencing. Predators face stricter rules. Predators report four times per year. Offenders report twice per year. New predator registrations also trigger active community notification.
Can a sex offender live anywhere in Madison County?
No. State law bars registered people from living within 1,000 feet of a school, day care, park, playground, or similar place. Local cities can add extra restrictions. The sheriff’s office can answer questions about specific addresses before a lease is signed.
What Happens When a Reporting Deadline Is Missed?
Missing the 48-hour change deadline or the regular reporting deadline is a third-degree felony. The maximum penalty is five years in state prison. The 48-hour rule does not pause for weekends or holidays. A change on Friday night is still due by Sunday night.
How to Get Email Alerts About Local Offenders
Sign up for Florida Offender Alert at www.floridaoffenderalert.com. Enter your address and set a monitoring radius. The service sends free emails when a new registration or address update falls inside your radius. The email arrives within hours of the registry update.
Do Juvenile Offenders Appear on the Registry?
Some juvenile offenders do appear on the registry. Florida requires registration for certain juvenile sex offenses based on the age of the victim and the seriousness of the crime. The juvenile follows the same reporting rules as an adult once placed on the registry.