The Nassau County Sex Offender Registry is a public database maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). It lists individuals convicted of qualifying sex offenses who live, work, or attend school in Nassau County, New York. The registry provides free public access through the official DCJS website and supports phone verification for lower-risk registrants. It operates under New York Correction Law Article 6-C, known as the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA).
Nassau County NY Registry System Overview
Nassau County sits on western Long Island and contains more than 1.3 million residents across three towns and dozens of villages. The county’s registry is not a separate local database. It functions as part of the statewide NY Sex Offender Registry, which DCJS administers. Local police departments in Nassau County handle in-person registration duties. DCJS collects all data and publishes the public-facing search tool. Anyone searching for a registrant in Nassau County uses the same portal used statewide.
NY State DCJS and Local Police Role
The DCJS serves as the central records keeper. Local agencies in Nassau County, including the Nassau County Police Department and precinct-level commands, process registration paperwork and submit it to DCJS within three business days. Each precinct accepts in-person registration during normal business hours. DCJS then loads the data into the public registry. The system runs on a 24-hour update cycle for most fields.
Megan’s Law and SORA Framework
New York passed Megan’s Law in 1995, one year after the original federal Jacob Wetterling Act. SORA followed in 1996 and created the current tiered structure. The law divides registrants into three risk levels based on court determination. Judges assign the level at a SORA hearing after conviction. The tier determines public visibility, notification scope, and duration of registration.
Who Must Register in Nassau County NY
Any person convicted of a sex offense listed in New York Correction Law § 168-a must register. The obligation applies to residents, workers, and students regardless of where the conviction occurred. Out-of-state and federal convictions also trigger registration if the underlying conduct would qualify as a New York registerable offense. Juvenile adjudications for certain serious offenses can also create a registration duty.
Qualifying Offenses in New York
The list covers a wide range of conduct. Common qualifying offenses include rape, criminal sexual act, aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, course of sexual conduct against a child, and incest. Possession of child pornography and promoting the same also count. Attempted versions of these crimes trigger registration at the same level as the completed offense. Federal and out-of-state convictions register the individual under the New York tier that most closely matches the conduct.
Registration Tiers and Risk Levels
New York uses three levels. Level 1 applies to lower-risk offenders. Level 2 applies to moderate-risk offenders. Level 3 applies to high-risk offenders. A fourth category, called sexual predators, was created by Chapter 67 of the Laws of 2006. Predators face lifetime registration with no relief. The level is set by a judge based on SORA factors, including the use of force, victim age, prior record, and acceptance of responsibility.
Registration Requirements and Procedures
Registration in Nassau County requires an in-person appearance at a local police department. The registrant must bring photo identification, proof of address, and any court documents related to the conviction. Local police collect fingerprints, a photograph, and verify identity against state and federal databases. The officer then submits the package to DCJS.
Initial Registration Process
The registrant must register within ten calendar days of establishing residence in Nassau County. For persons being released from prison, the deadline runs from the date of release. For persons moving from another New York county, the clock restarts from the move date. For persons moving from out of state, the same ten-day rule applies after establishing the new address. Failure to register in this window is a felony.
Address Changes and Update Rules
Any change in address, employment, school enrollment, vehicle, or internet identifier requires an in-person update within ten days. The registrant must appear at a Nassau County police department and complete a Change of Status form. The local agency forwards the update to DCJS, which revises the public record. Email and phone updates are not accepted. The ten-day rule does not extend for weekends or holidays.
Duration of Registration in NY
Duration depends on the tier. Level 1 registrants remain on the registry for twenty years from the date of release. Level 2 registrants stay registered for life, with a possible petition for relief after thirty years. Level 3 registrants register for life with no automatic relief. Sexual predators register for life without any relief pathway. Early relief is available only through a formal SORA petition and court order.
How to Search the Nassau County Registry
Public searches run through the DCJS Sex Offender Registry portal at www.criminaljustice.ny.gov. The portal supports name searches and geographic searches by address, ZIP code, or county. Users can filter by level and view photos and offense details. The portal is free, does not require an account, and works on mobile browsers.
Online Search via NY DCJS Portal
To search for registrants in Nassau County, open the DCJS website and select the public search option. Enter a name or leave the name field blank to browse by county. Filter results by selecting Nassau County from the county dropdown. The result list shows photo, name, address, level, and offense. Click any result to view the full profile, including aliases and conviction details.
Phone Verification for Sub-Registry
Level 1 registrants are not posted on the public website. They appear in the sub-registry, which DCJS maintains for law enforcement only. A member of the public can call the DCJS Sub-Registry line at 1-800-262-3257 to verify whether a specific person is registered. The caller must provide the individual’s name and address. DCJS confirms or denies registration without disclosing additional details.
What Information Appears in Profiles
Public profiles for Level 2 and Level 3 registrants include a current photograph, legal name, known aliases, level designation, the offense that triggered registration, and the conviction jurisdiction. The profile also shows a current registered address. Employment addresses and school addresses appear when the registrant works or studies in the area. Internet identifiers are not posted publicly. Photographs are updated at each annual verification.
Residency Restrictions in Nassau County
New York does not impose a statewide residency buffer for sex offenders. The law leaves distance rules to local municipalities. Several towns and villages in Nassau County have adopted local ordinances restricting where registrants may live. These ordinances vary by jurisdiction and can change. A registrant moving to Nassau County should review both town and village rules before signing a lease.
School and Childcare Buffer Zones
Some Nassau County municipalities prohibit registered offenders from living within a fixed distance of schools, parks, libraries, and licensed child care facilities. Common buffer distances range from 500 to 1,500 feet. The measurement starts from the property line of the restricted facility. Violations can result in eviction, fines, and criminal charges under local code. The exact buffer applies per municipality, not per county.
Local Town and Village Ordinances
The three towns in Nassau County (Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay) each set their own residency rules. Incorporated villages within those towns can also pass their own ordinances. The result is a patchwork of restrictions across the county. The Town of Hempstead has some of the strictest local rules. Oyster Bay Town and North Hempstead Town each maintain active local registries for law enforcement coordination. Contact the local town clerk for current rules before selecting housing.
Sex Offender Levels in New York
New York’s tier system is one of the oldest in the country. The levels drive both public visibility and law enforcement notification. The court assigns the level at a SORA hearing, and the assigned level can be appealed or modified based on changed circumstances. Risk assessment tools, including the STATIC-99R, support judicial decisions.
Level 1 – Low Risk
Level 1 covers registrants judged to pose a low risk of repeat offense. They register for twenty years. Their information appears only in the sub-registry, accessible by phone verification. They must still report in person for annual address verification. Schools and community organizations do not receive active notification for Level 1 registrants. Local police receive notification for law enforcement coordination only.
Level 2 – Moderate Risk
Level 2 covers registrants judged to pose a moderate risk. They register for life, with possible relief after thirty years. Their information appears in the public online registry. Local police, schools, and organizations serving vulnerable populations receive notification when a Level 2 registrant moves into the area. The notification radius varies by jurisdiction but commonly covers nearby blocks and institutions.
Level 3 – High Risk
Level 3 covers registrants judged to pose a high risk of repeat offense. They register for life with no relief. Their information appears in the public online registry with full photo and address. Active community notification is required. Schools, child care centers, nursing homes, and similar facilities within a defined radius receive direct notification. Local news outlets may also receive notification under local protocols.
Notification and Community Awareness
Nassau County residents can sign up for automatic alerts through the NY DCJS notification system. The service sends email notices when a registered sex offender moves into a defined area near the user’s address. The radius is set by the user. Alerts include the registrant’s name, photo, level, and offense details. The service is free.
NYS Registry Email Alerts
Sign up at the DCJS Sex Offender Registry portal under the notification section. Enter your home address and choose a search radius. The system checks the registry daily. When a new registrant or a registrant address change falls within your radius, an email arrives. Users can adjust or cancel alerts at any time through the same portal. The alert service covers all New York counties, including Nassau.
Local Police Notifications in Nassau
The Nassau County Police Department runs a community notification program through precinct-level community affairs officers. School resource officers and precinct patrol commanders coordinate door-to-door notifications when a Level 3 registrant establishes a new address. Community meetings may be scheduled for cases involving a high-risk registrant. Local civic associations often receive advance notice through precinct channels.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Registration violations in New York carry felony weight. The offense level depends on the original conviction and the nature of the violation. Repeat violations and violations involving a higher-tier registrant face elevated charges. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes registration failures in coordination with DCJS.
Failure to Register Charges
Failing to register on time is a Class E felony for most cases. A Class E felony in New York carries a maximum sentence of four years in state prison. If the underlying conviction was for a violent felony, the failure-to-register charge is elevated to a Class D felony with a maximum sentence of seven years. Multiple failures can trigger additional charges for each missed update window.
False Information Penalties
Providing false information during registration is a Class D felony. Knowingly omitting a vehicle, internet identifier, or address is treated the same as a false statement. The Nassau County Police Department and DCJS run cross-checks against DMV records, social media accounts, and other data sources. Mismatches trigger follow-up investigations that often lead to felony charges.
Major Towns and Areas in Nassau County
Nassau County is divided into three towns and two cities. The towns cover most of the county’s land area. The cities are Long Beach and Glen Cove. Each jurisdiction handles its own police services, although the Nassau County Police Department provides primary patrol services across most of the county through eight precincts.
Towns Under Nassau County
The Town of Hempstead is the largest township in the United States by population. It contains twenty-two incorporated villages and several unincorporated hamlets. The Town of North Hempstead sits along the northern shore of Long Island and includes Manhasset, Port Washington, and Roslyn. The Town of Oyster Bay covers the eastern portion of the county and includes Oyster Bay, Massapequa, and Syosset. Each town has its own local ordinances that may add restrictions on top of SORA.
Nassau County Police Headquarters
The Nassau County Police Department headquarters is located at 1194 Prospect Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590. The main switchboard number is (516) 573-6800. The department operates eight precincts across the county. For sex offender registration, residents can visit any precinct during business hours. The Records and Identification Section at headquarters handles complex cases and out-of-state transfers.
Official Website: www.criminaljustice.ny.gov
Phone (DCJS): 1-800-262-3257
Phone (Nassau County Police): (516) 573-6800
Address: 1194 Prospect Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section answers the most common questions about the Nassau County NY sex offender registry, including how to search, what each level means, how long someone stays on the registry, and what to do if you believe someone has failed to register. The questions below reflect real searches by Nassau County residents, parents, employers, and landlords. Each answer is based on current New York law, current DCJS policy, and current Nassau County Police Department procedures. Information here is current as of August 2026 and reflects the latest statutory amendments.
How do I run a free sex offender search in Nassau County NY?
Run a free search through the New York State DCJS Sex Offender Registry at www.criminaljustice.ny.gov. The portal supports name-based searches and geographic searches by ZIP code or address. To browse all registrants in Nassau County, leave the name field blank and select Nassau from the county dropdown. Level 2 and Level 3 profiles appear in the results. Level 1 profiles do not appear online and require a phone verification request through the DCJS Sub-Registry line at 1-800-262-3257. The search does not require an account, login, or payment.
What is the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 in NY?
Level 1 covers registrants judged to pose a low risk of repeat offense. Their information is not posted on the public website and is accessible only through a phone verification request. Level 2 covers moderate-risk registrants. Their photos, addresses, and offense details appear on the public DCJS website. Level 3 covers high-risk registrants with the same public visibility as Level 2 plus active community notification. The level is set by a judge at a SORA hearing based on statutory factors, including prior record and victim characteristics.
How long does someone stay on the Nassau County registry?
Level 1 registrants stay on the registry for twenty years from release. Level 2 registrants register for life, with a possible court petition for relief after thirty years. Level 3 registrants register for life with no automatic relief. Sexual predators register for life with no relief pathway. Early relief is available only through a formal SORA petition and a court order finding that the registrant no longer poses a public safety risk.
Can I get email alerts when a sex offender moves near me?
Yes. Sign up for free email alerts through the DCJS Sex Offender Registry notification system on the DCJS website. Enter your home address and select a search radius. The system checks the registry daily and emails you when a new registrant or address change falls within your radius. The alert includes the registrant’s name, photo, level, and offense details. You can adjust the radius or cancel alerts at any time through the same portal.
What happens if a sex offender fails to register in Nassau County?
Failing to register is a felony in New York. A first-time failure to register is a Class E felony with a maximum sentence of four years in state prison. A failure tied to an underlying violent felony conviction is a Class D felony with a maximum sentence of seven years. Providing false information during registration is a Class D felony. The Nassau County Police Department and DCJS cross-check registration data against DMV records, social media accounts, and other databases to detect violations. Prosecution runs through the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
Do Nassau County towns have their own residency restrictions?
Yes. New York does not impose a statewide buffer, and Nassau County towns set their own rules. The Town of Hempstead, the Town of North Hempstead, and the Town of Oyster Bay each maintain local ordinances that restrict where registrants may live. Common buffer distances range from 500 to 1,500 feet from schools, parks, and licensed child care facilities. Incorporated villages can add their own restrictions. The exact buffer applies per municipality, not per county. Contact the local town clerk for current rules before signing a lease.
Can a Level 1 sex offender ever be removed from the NY registry?
Level 1 registrants can be removed after twenty years if they have remained compliant with all registration requirements and have not been convicted of any new offense. Removal requires a formal petition to the court under New York Correction Law § 168-o. The District Attorney’s Office receives notice and can oppose the petition. A judge holds a hearing and decides based on statutory factors, including the registrant’s criminal history, treatment record, and community adjustment. Successful petitioners receive a court order directing DCJS to remove the individual from the registry.