FAQ

There is an offender registered at MY address. That person does NOT live here.

This offender may not have reported that they moved. You will need to contact the state registry that maintains this offender's information. Click on the convictions tab for this offender. You will find the source of the information. Please contact that registry to update the information. If you need any assistance contacting the state's registry email our customer service and they can help. 

How often do you update?

We update our site daily and for some states multiple times daily. When a change is made, our site updates in about 24 hours. 

What is non mappable offender?

Non mappable offenders means that we cannot map them. We may not have a full address for the offender or our geocoder does not recognize the address. You can view information about the non mappable offender under the List tab, located just above the map. You can go to the filter and then click non-mappables to only view those not included on the map. 

Is everyone on this list a sexual predator?

No, some states include violet and/or drug offenders on their registry. You would have to look at the specific person to see what the offense is.  Can you include juvenile offenders on Family Watchdog? If a juvenile offender is included in the state's online registry then we will be able to include them. If their information is not available online then we can not have it online. 

What are the risk levels?

The numeric risk level indicates the level of risk a sex offender poses to the community. A numeric risk level is assigned to each sex offender when the offender is released from a penal institution or placed on community supervision or juvenile probation. It is determined by using the sex offender third party check adopted by the Risk Assessment Review Committee. There are three different risk levels:•  Level one (low): indicates that the person poses a low danger to the community and will not likely engage in criminal sexual conduct. •  Level two (moderate): indicates that the person poses a moderate danger to the community and may continue to engage in criminal sexual conduct. •  Level three (high): indicates that the person poses a serious danger to the community and will continue to engage in criminal sexual conduct.

Do all people convicted of a sex offense have to register?

Only offenders who were convicted after 1970 and were still under some type of supervision on September 1, 1997. Many people convicted of sex crimes before this date do not have to register. Judges may exempt some if the law allows.  How long do offenders have to register for? It depends on the state laws the offender was convicted in, the laws in the jurisdiction they are living, and the offence. Also, if they are a juvenile it will change the amount of time they have to register. 

Are there registered sexual offenders that are not in your database?

Unfortunately, yes. Our service relies on publicly available data. If an offender moves and does not report to the county sheriff in which they reside, we will not know that they have moved. 

If I know of an offender that is not on your database, should I contact you?

No. Please contact your local police or sheriff department. A registered sexual offender that fails to report commits a felony, and can be returned to prison. 

What states and jurisdictions have sex offender registries that this web service can provide access to?

All 50 states have a sex offender registry which our web service provides access to. In addtion to those 50 states the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands also have sex offender registries which we provide access to through our web service.