Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question below to view the answer.
- Who must register as a sexual offender?
- What is a sexual predator?
- What are the basic registration obligations of sexual offenders/predators?
- How often is the Florida Sexual Offender/Predator Registry updated?
- Do juvenile sex offenders/predators have to register?
- Do out-of-state sex offenders have to register in Florida, even if they are ONLY visiting, attending school, or working in Florida?
- What is the Florida "Romeo & Juliet" Law?
- How can I receive more information about predators/offenders?
- How do I report information regarding a sexual offender or a sexual crime?
- Does Florida have a civil commitment law?
- Where can I find information about sexual offender/predator residency restrictions?
- Can a sexual offender/predator visit a park, school, or child care center?
- Can a sexual offender/predator petition the court to be removed from the registry?
- Are there consequences if a sexual offender/predator fails to comply with registration requirements?
- Is a sexual offender/predator allowed to have an account on a social networking site?
- Why does a deceased sexual offender/predator still appear on the website?
- How do I look up sexual offenders/predators in other states?
Who must register as a sexual offender?
- A sexual offender is an individual who meets one or more of the following criteria:
He/she has been convicted of a qualifying sexual offense in Florida or another jurisdiction. Qualifying Adult Convictions include:
- Kidnapping (F.S. 787.01), where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent or guardian.
- False imprisonment (F.S. 787.02), where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent or guardian.
- Luring or enticing a child (F.S. 787.025(2)(c)), where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent or guardian.
- Human Trafficking (F.S. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), (g) or (h).
- Sexual battery (F.S. 794.011), excluding subsection 10.
- Unlawful sexual activity with certain minors (F.S. 794.05).
- Procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution (F.S. 796.03).
- Selling or buying of minors into sex trafficking or prostitution (F.S. 796.035).
- Lewd/lascivious offense committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age (F.S. 800.04).
- Video Voyeurism of a minor (F.S. 810.145(8))
- Lewd/lascivious offense committed upon or in the presence of an elderly person or disabled adult (F.S. 825.1025).
- Sexual performance by a child (F.S. 827.071).
- Protection of minors; prohibition of certain acts in connection with obscenity (F.S. 847.0133).
- Computer pornography (F.S. 847.0135), excluding subsection 6.
- Transmission of child pornography by electronic device/equipment (F.S. 847.0137).
- Transmission of material harmful to minors to a minor by electronic device/equipment (F.S. 847.0138).
- Selling or buying of minors (for portrayal in a visual depiction engaging in sexually explicit conduct) (F.S. 847.0145).
- Sexual misconduct prohibited (F.S. 985.701(1)).
- Or a violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction (i.e. federal, military, other state or country); AND
He/she has been release from or is currently serving parole, probation, or incarceration for a qualifying sex offense (listed above) on or after October 1, 1997;OR
He/she establishes or maintains a residence (permanent, temporary, or transient) in Florida and has a requirement to register or would have a requirement to register as a sexual offender in another jurisdiction;OR
He/she was adjudicated delinquent on or after July 1, 2007, for one of the following offenses and was 14 years of age or older at the time of the offense:
- Sexual battery (F.S. 794.011) excluding subsection 10.
- Lewd/lascivious battery where the victim is under 12 or the court finds sexual activity by the use of force or coercion (F.S. 800.04(4)(b)).
- Lewd/lascivious molestation, victim under 12, where the court finds molestation involving unclothed genitals (F.S. 800.04(5)(c) 1).
- Lewd/lascivious molestation, victim under 16 but more than 12, where the court finds the use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals (F.S. 800.04(5)(d)).
- Or a violation of a similar law of another jurisdiction (i.e. federal, military, other state). Top
- A sexual offender is an individual who meets one or more of the following criteria:
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- A sexual predator is a person who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense as defined in Florida Statute 775.21 (which may include offenses from another jurisdiction) AND has a written court order designating the individual a sexual predator; or
- He/she is civilly committed under the Florida Jimmy Ryce Sexually Violent Predator Act AND has a written court order designating the individual as a sexual predator. Top
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What are the basic registration obligations of sexual offenders/predators?
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Registrants are required to report to their local sheriff's office (for a list of locations click here) and provide information including but not limited to:
- All names and aliases ever used
- Date of birth
- Race
- Sex
- Hair and eye color, height, and weight
- Photograph
- Place of birth
- Driver's license or state issued identification card number
- Telephone numbers
- Social Security number
- Residential address or addresses including transient (i.e. homeless).
- Employer's name, address and telephone number.
- School name, address and telephone number.
- All email addresses and internet identifiers
- Crime information
Note: This information is a public record unless exempt or confidential pursuant to Chapter 119, F.S.
Sexual offenders must complete a registration form at their county sheriff's office either twice a year (birth month and 6th month thereafter) or four times a year (birth month and every 3rd month thereafter) depending upon their offense. For a list of qualifying offenses please refer to Florida Statute 943.0435(14)(b).
Sexual predators, some sexual offenders, and juvenile sexual offenders must report four times a year (birth month and every 3rd month thereafter).
Sexual offenders/predators must update their driver's license or identification card within 48 hours after any change to their residence (permanent, temporary, or transient) or name.
Sexual offenders/predators MUST maintain registration for the duration of their life.
All qualifying sexual offenders, sexual predators, and juvenile sexual offenders will be listed on the public registry website.
Note: this is a partial list of responsibilities; please refer to Florida Statutes 775.21 and 943.0435 for a complete listing of registration obligations. Top
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How often is the Florida Sexual Offender/Predator Registry updated?
The public registry website is updated on a "real-time", continuous basis as new information is received from FDLE's criminal justice partner agencies. Top
- Do juvenile sex offenders/predators have to register?
Juvenile sexual offenders are required to register in Florida if he/she:
- Has been convicted as an adult for a qualifying sexual offense and meets the criteria in Florida Statute 943.0435 or 775.21 to register as a sexual offender or predator;
OR - Was adjudicated delinquent on or after July 1, 2007 for a qualifying sexual offense in this state or a similar offense in another jurisdiction when the juvenile was 14 years of age or older at the time of the offense. Top
- Do out-of-state sex offenders have to register in Florida, even if they are ONLY visiting, attending school, or working in Florida?
Yes, federal and state law requires sexual offenders/predators to register in all jurisdictions in which they live, work, or go to school. Offenders/predators who are required to register with a temporary address in Florida are subject to all Florida registration laws while the offender/predator is residing within the state, including being listed on the Florida Sexual Offender/Predator Public Registry website.
Yes, if offenders or predators are visiting from another state he/she must report in person to the sheriff's office within 48 hours of establishing a temporary residence in Florida. He/she is required to report within 48 hours from the time of his/her registration with the sheriff's office to report in person to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) with a copy of the completed sexual offender/predator registration form to obtain a valid Florida identification card or driver's license. Failure to comply with these registration requirements as provided by Florida statute is a felony of the 3rd degree. Top
- What is the Florida "Romeo & Juliet" Law?
Florida Statute 943.04354, "Removal of the requirement to register as a sexual offender or sexual predator under certain circumstances" is commonly referred to as the "Romeo & Juliet" law. This law allows certain offenders who specifically meet the criteria of the statute to petition the court for relief from the requirement to register as a sexual offender/predator. Several criteria are specified including: the victim in the case must be between 14 and 17 years of age, is no more than four years younger than the offender and the sexual activity is consensual. The qualifying offense is the only sex crime on the offender's record requiring registration. Please see the complete statutory text (F.S. 943.04354) for further details. Top
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How can I receive more information about predators/offenders?
FDLE is authorized to post registered sexual offenders/predators via the public website. The FDLE website lists sexual offender/predator flyers which include a photo, designation, status, a physical description of the offender/predator, crime information, and a registered address.
Searches may be conducted by area (city, county and/or zip code), by name, or E-mail/ IM names. To conduct a search, click on the red Offender Search button at the top of the site.
Citizens may also sign up for email notification using the Florida Offender Alert System. The emails are sent when a sexual offender/predator moves within a certain distance from a specified location set by the citizen or when a particular sexual offender/predator moves anywhere throughout the state of Florida. Click on the yellow Offender Alert System button at the top of the site to sign up.
A Florida criminal history for an individual may be obtained through the FDLE website (www.fdle.state.fl.us) for a fee. Click on the Request a Criminal History button approximately halfway down the page.
To obtain details regarding a specific crime that occurred in Florida, contact the Office of the Clerk of Courts in the county in which the subject was convicted. The county of conviction is listed on the offender/predator registry flyer. Clicking on the county link provided will open a new window with all Florida Clerk of Court websites.
To obtain details regarding an arrest in Florida, contact the local arresting law enforcement agency. Top
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How do I report information regarding a sexual offender or a sexual crime?
If you have reason to believe that a sexual crime has occurred or you have been a victim of sexual abuse, please immediately contact the local sheriff's office or police department where the crime occurred (http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/Links.jsp).
If the crime relates to use of the Internet, such as in cases of child pornography or solicitation of a child over the Internet, please contact the Florida Computer Crime Center at (850) 617-1350 or via e-mail at computercrimecenter@fdle.state.fl.us.
If you have information that a registered sex offender is not living at his/her registered address, please contact the local law enforcement agency as soon as possible. Top
Does Florida have a civil commitment law?
Yes, please see the Jimmy Ryce Civil Commitment Act (F.S 394.910-394.932) for specific statutory language regarding civil commitment. Top
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Where can I find information about sexual offender/predator residency restrictions?
Florida's sexual offender/predator registration laws do not prohibit offenders/predators from living in certain areas or from sharing a residence with another sexual offender/predator. However, there may be municipal and/or county ordinances that outline where sexual offenders/predators can live, who they can or cannot come in contact with, or what areas in a community they can or cannot be near or visit. Contact your law enforcement agency to obtain this information. For more information pertaining to residency restrictions please see Florida Statute 775.215.
Florida's sexual offender/predator registration laws do not prohibit a sexual offender/predator from living with a child or minor based solely on the individual's requirement to register. However, if an offender/predator is currently under supervision he or she may have specific guidelines/restrictions set by a judge. This information can be obtained by contacting Department of Corrections or Department of Juvenile Justice directly. Top
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Can a sexual offender/predator visit a park, school, or child care center?
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Can a sexual offender/predator petition the court to be removed from the registry?
A registered sexual offender meeting Florida statutory criteria is required to register for life, unless he/she has received a full pardon or received post-conviction relief for his/her qualifying offense.
Certain individuals required to register as sexual offenders that have been lawfully released from sanctions, confinement, or supervision for at least 25 years and have not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release may petition the criminal division of the circuit court of the circuit in which they reside for the purpose of removing the requirement for registration as a sexual offender; provided the offense was not based on an adult conviction or violation of:
- kidnapping (F.S. 787.01), where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent or guardian,
- false imprisonment (F.S. 787.02), where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim's parent or guardian,
- sexual battery (F.S. 794.011), excluding subsection 10,
- lewd/lascivious battery where the victim is under 12 or the court finds sexual activity by the use of force or coercion (F.S. 800.04(4)(b)),
- lewd/lascivious molestation where the victim is under 12 (F.S. 800.04(5)(b)),
- lewd/lascivious molestation where the court finds the offense involved unclothed genitals or genital area (F.S. 800.04(5)(c)2),
- any attempt or conspiracy to commit any such offense; or
- any violation of similar law of another jurisdiction.
There is no provision in Florida law allowing sexual predators to petition the court for removal of the sexual predator designation. Top
The court may grant or deny such relief.
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Are there consequences if a sexual offender/predator fails to comply with registration requirements?
Failure of a sexual offender/predator to register as required by law is a felony.
Note: If you have reason to believe a person has violated registration requirements please contact local law enforcement. Top
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Is a sexual offender/predator allowed to have an account on a social networking site?
There is no Florida law that prohibits an offender from having a computer, using the Internet, having an email account, or obtaining an account on a social networking site based solely on his or her designation as a sexual offender or predator. However, if an offender/predator is currently under supervision, he or she may have specific guidelines/restrictions (which may include using a computer, accessing the Internet, or setting up an account with particular websites) set forth by a judge. This information can be obtained by contacting Department of Corrections or Department of Juvenile Justice directly.
If you believe that there is any illegal material presented on a website, please contact your local sheriff's office or police department, as well as the Florida Computer Crime Center (computercrimecenter@fdle.state.fl.us) for issues such as potential child pornography or solicitation via the Internet. Top
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Why does a deceased sexual offender/predator still appear on the website?
Sexual offenders/predators reported deceased remain on the website for one year after the date of death as provided on the death certificate. This allows victims, the community, and local law enforcement time to be notified. Top
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How do I look up sexual offenders/predators in other states?
FDLE currently has links to The National Sex Offender Public Website and other state sex offender registry websites at http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/Registries.jsp. Top