FDLE - Sexual Offender and Predator System

Sexual Offenders and Predators Search

Charting a course for public safety

Frequently Asked Questions

Click a question below to view the answer. If you need further information on these or any other topics related to sexual offender/predator registration in Florida, contact FDLE’s Enforcement & Investigative Support Bureau toll free at 1-888-357-7332 or your local sheriff's office.

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1. Are sexual offenders/predators allowed to vote?

Please be advised that as a registered sexual offender/sexual predator you may be ineligible to vote based on your criminal conviction. If you are ineligible to vote, and attempt to register to vote, or register and vote, you may be subject to arrest and prosecution for violations of 104.011, 104.15 F.S., etc. If you are unsure whether you are eligible to vote or register to vote, you should consult with an attorney and seek legal guidance.

2. Who must register as a sexual offender?

A sexual offender is an individual who meets one or more of the following criteria:
1. He or she has been convicted of a qualifying sexual offense in Florida or another jurisdiction. Qualifying Adult Convictions include:

3. What is a sexual predator?

A sexual predator is an individual 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
An individual who 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.

4. What are the basic registration obligations of sexual offenders/predators?

Registrants are required to report to their local sheriff's office (for a list of locations click here (Spanish Version)) and provide information including but not limited to:

1. Name
2. Date of birth
3. Social security number
4. Race
5. Sex
6. Height and weight
7. Hair and eye color
8. Tattoos or other identifying marks
9. Fingerprints
10. Palm prints
11. Photograph
12. Occupation and place of employment
13. Residential address(es) including transient (i.e. homeless)
14. Vehicle information
15. All home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers
16. All electronic mail addresses, Internet identifier's, and each Internet identifier's corresponding website homepage or application software name.
17. Conviction information
18. Passport information
19. Immigration status/documentation
20. Professional license 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 every 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 for quarterly registration (four times a year) please refer to Florida Statute 943.0435(14)(b).
All sexual predators, some sexual offenders, and all juvenile sexual offenders must report four times a year (birth month and every 3rd month thereafter).
Sexual offenders/predators must update their driver license or identification card within 48 hours after any change to their residence (permanent, temporary or transient) or name. Pursuant to a federal court order issued March 25, 2024, a sexual offender is only required to report in-person to DHSMV for a change in "permanent residence" or "temporary residence" that is either a change of address of the kind that all holders of driver licenses or identification cards must report, a change of the registrant's home, or a change of the place where the registrant habitually lives. This order does NOT pertain to sexual predators. The reporting requirements for sexual predators remains unchanged. (Case No. 4:21cv85-RH-MJF, United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida)
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.

5. How often is the Florida Sexual Offender/Predator Registry updated?

6. Do juvenile sexual offenders have to register?

A juvenile sexual offender is required to register in Florida if he or she:

1. 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 an adult sexual offender or predator; OR
2. 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 he or she was 14 years of age or older at the time of the offense (F.S. 943.0435(1)(h)1.d).

7. Do out-of-state sex offenders have to register in Florida, even if they are ONLY visiting, attending school, or working in Florida?

If an offender or predator is visiting Florida from another state, he or she must report in person to the sheriff's office within 48 hours of establishing a temporary residencein Florida. Within 48 hours from the time of his or her registration with the sheriff's office, he or she is required 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 license. Failure to comply with these registration requirements as provided by Florida Statute is a felony of the 3rd degree.
Federal and state laws require sexual offenders/predators to register in all jurisdictions in which they live, work, or go to school. Sexual 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.

NOTE: A sexual offender's/predator's information is not removed from the registry's public website when the sexual offender/predator leaves the state of Florida. Removal from another state's registration requirement does not guarantee removal from the requirement to register in Florida.

8. What information is a sexual offender/predator required to report if he or she is planning to travel or move outside of Florida or the United States?

A sexual offender/predator planning to establish a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in another state within the U.S. must report in person to the sheriff of the county where he or she currently resides in Florida at least 48 hours before the date he or she intends to leave Florida; OR
If a sexual offender/predator is leaving the U.S. for any amount of time, he or she must report in person to the sheriff of the county where he or she currently resides in Florida at least 21 days before the date he or she intends to travel; AND
Must provide to the sheriff the address, municipality, county, state, and country of the intended residence, and for international travel, a sexual offender/predator must also provide travel information, including expected departure and return dates, flight number, airport of departure, cruise port of departure, or any other means of intended travel.
Any travel that is not known (unexpected) by the sexual offender/predator at least 48 hours (within the U.S.) or 21 days before departure (international travel), MUST be reported to the sheriff's office as soon as possible before departure.

Please refer to Florida Statutes 775.21 and 943.0435 for more detailed information about sexual offender/predator reporting requirements regarding traveling or moving outside of Florida.

9. 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 was at least 13 and not more than 17 years of age, is no more than four years younger than the offender, and the sexual activity was consensual. The qualifying offense must be the only sex crime on the offender's record requiring registration. Please see the complete statutory text (F.S. 943.04354) for further details.

10. How can I receive more information about sexual offenders/predators?

FDLE is authorized to post 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), name, university/campus, or e-mail/Internet identifier. To conduct a search, click on the 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 Offender Alerts under the Alerts 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. Request a Criminal History.
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.

11. How do I report information regarding a sexual offender/predator 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. Click here for contact links.
If you believe there is any illegal material presented on a website such as child pornography or child solicitation, please contact your local sheriff's office or police department, as well as the Florida Cybercrime Office at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FCO/Report-a-Cybercrime.aspx.
If you have information that a registered sexual offender/predator is not living at his or her registered address, please contact the local law enforcement agency as soon as possible.

12. Does Florida have a civil commitment law?

13. 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 state residency restrictions based on a particular conviction, 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 with the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice 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.

14. Can a sexual offender/predator visit a park, school, or child care center?

15. Can a sexual offender/predator be removed from the Florida registry?

There is no provision in Florida law allowing sexual predators to petition the court for removal of the sexual predator designation.

A registered sexual offender that meets Florida's statutory criteria is required to register for life, unless he or she has received a full pardon or received post-conviction relief for his or her qualifying offense. However:

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 court 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:

1. Kidnapping (F.S. 787.01);

2. False imprisonment (F.S. 787.02);

3. Sexual battery (F.S. 794.011, excluding subsection 10);

4. 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)(a)2) );

5. Lewd/lascivious molestation where the victim is under 12 (F.S. 800.04(5)(b));

6. Lewd/lascivious molestation where the court finds the offense involved the use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals or genital area (F.S. 800.04(5)(c)2);

7. Lewd/lascivious battery on an elderly or disabled person (F.S. 825.1025(2)(a));

8. Any attempt or conspiracy to commit any such offense;

9. Any violation of similar law of another jurisdiction; or

10. Any violation of a similar Florida offense which has been redesignated to one of those listed above.

If the sexual offender meets the criteria above, the sexual offender may, for the purpose of removing the requirement for registration as a sexual offender, petition the criminal division of the circuit court of the circuit:

1. Where the conviction or adjudication occurred, for a conviction in Florida;

2. Where the sexual offender resides, for a conviction of a violation of similar law of another jurisdiction; or

3. Where the sexual offender last resided, for a sexual offender with a conviction of a violation of similar law of another jurisdiction who no longer resides in Florida.

FDLE and the state attorney in the circuit in which the petition is filed must be given notice of the petition at least 3 weeks before the hearing on the matter.

The court may grant or deny such relief.

A sexual offender that is required to register based on a requirement in another state must maintain registration for the duration of his or her life until the person provides the department with proof that they are no longer required to register in any other state. A sexual offender described herein must establish not only that his or her designation has been removed in the other state, but that he or she does not meet the criteria for registration under any other portion of F.S. 943.0435(1)(h)1.

16. Are there consequences if a sexual offender/predator fails to comply with registration requirements?

17. 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 with the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice, 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 there is any illegal material presented on a website such as child pornography or child solicitation, please contact your local sheriff's office or police department, as well as the Florida Cybercrime at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FCO/Report-a-Cybercrime.aspx.

18. What is the FDLE Cyber Communication System (CCS)?

The Cyber Communication System (CCS) is an online system that a sexual offender/predator who is not on supervision with the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) or the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) may use to report changes in email addresses, Internet identifiers, phone numbers, employment, vehicles, in-state travel (see disclaimers on CCS homepage related to in-state travel), and status of enrollment, volunteering, or employment at institutions of higher education in Florida.
Sexual offenders/predators who are on supervision with DOC or DJJ must report any changes in the above information IN PERSON to his or her probation officer. Vehicles owned must be reported IN PERSON to the sheriff’s office.
Download the CCS User Guide.

19. Where can I find information on employment addresses for sexual offenders and predators?

20. Why does a deceased sexual offender/predator still appear on the website?

21. How do I look up sexual offenders/predators in other states?

22. I would like to move to Florida but have a sex offense conviction in my criminal history, will I have to register as a sexual offender in your state? What do I need to do?

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Attention: Case Review Request
Enforcement & Investigative Support
PO Box 1489
Tallahassee, Florida 32302

Florida Statutes 775.21 and 943.0435, define permanent, temporary, and transient residency.
FDLE cannot provide a timeline on how long it will take to complete the review. Review length depends on several factors, including the date of the offense, pending court hearings, and other issues encountered during the review process.
Unless you have received correspondence from FDLE indicating you do not have a requirement to register in Florida, if you establish residency in the State of Florida, you are encouraged to report to a Florida sheriff’s office within 48 hours of establishing such residency to register, even if your requirement to register is under review.
Registration locations in Florida are here (Spanish Version).
Failure to register as a sexual offender could result in arrest, prosecution, and incarceration.
If you should have any questions about this process, please call our toll-free hotline at 1-888-357-7332.

Definitions

Adjudicated Delinquent	A judgment rendered by the court after a finding of guilt on a juvenile.
Adjudication Withheld	Considered a conviction in the state of Florida for the purposes of sexual offender/predator registration pursuant to Florida Statutes 943.0435 and 775.21, and a person with such has the same registration requirements and obligations as a person adjudicated guilty of a qualifying sexual offense. In other contexts, its effect depends on how the Legislature has chosen to define "conviction." A person with a withhold of adjudication does not lose his or her core civil rights.
Absconded from Probation	The offender/predator fled from Florida Department of Corrections non-confined supervision/control.
Absconded from DJJ	The offender/predator fled from Florida Department of Juvenile Justice non-confined supervision/control.
Absconded from Registration	It has been confirmed by law enforcement that the offender/predator is no longer at the last reported registration address provided to the Florida Registry and no other known address is available for the offender/predator.
Administrative Probation	A form of non-contact supervision in which the offender/predator who is determined to represent a low risk of harm to the community and, upon satisfactory completion of half the term of regular probation is placed on non-reporting status until expiration of the term of supervision.
Civil Commitment	The offender/predator is confined or detained by the Department of Children and Families under the Jimmy Ryce Civil Commitment Act.
Community Control	A form of intensive supervision, housed in the community, including surveillance on weekends and holidays, administered by Florida Department of Corrections officers with limited caseloads.
County Incarceration	The offender/predator is confined in a local jail facility.
DC Supervision	The offender/predator is currently under a court-ordered term of community monitoring by Department of Corrections to include specified conditions and a specific period of time that cannot exceed the maximum sentence for the offense.
DJJ Incarceration	The offender/predator is serving in a Department of Juvenile Justice program.
Deceased	Documentation of death has been received by the Florida Sexual Offender/Predator Registry. One year after the date of death, the record will be removed from the public website.
Deported	The offender/predator has been officially expelled from the United States.
Escaped	The offender/predator fled from incarceration.
Federal Incarceration	The offender/predator is confined in a federal institution or serving a federal sentence in another jurisdiction.
Federal Supervision	The offender/predator is under the care, custody, or control of federal criminal justice authorities.
ICE Custody	The offender/predator is confined by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a designated state, local, or federal facility.
Parole	The offender/predator is in a post-prison supervision program. Eligible Florida Department of Corrections inmates have terms and conditions of parole set by the Florida Parole Commission.
Permanent Residence	A place where the person (offender/predator) abides, lodges, or resides for 3 or more consecutive days. For the purpose of calculating a permanent residence, the first day that a person abides, lodges, or resides at a place is excluded and each subsequent day is counted. A day includes any part of a calendar day.
Released	The offender/predator is no longer serving any sanctions under the Department of Corrections, or any other court imposed sanction within Florida. A court imposed sanction includes probation, community control, parole, conditional release, control release, or incarceration.
Reported Deceased	The offender/predator has been reported deceased by law enforcement or other official authorities, but official documentation (i.e. a death certificate) has not been received by the Florida Sexual Offender/Predator Registry.
Sexual Offender Conviction	There has been a determination of guilt as a result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld, and includes adjudication of delinquency of a juvenile as specified in this section. Conviction of a similar offense includes, but is not limited to, a conviction by a federal or military tribunal, including courts-martial conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States, and includes a conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in any state of the United States or other jurisdiction.
Sexual Predator Conviction	There has been a determination of guilt which is the result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld. A conviction for a similar offense includes, but is not limited to, a conviction by a federal or military tribunal, including courts-martial conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States, and includes a conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in any state of the United States or other jurisdiction.
State Incarceration	The offender/predator is currently confined in a state facility under the Florida Department of Corrections.
Temporary Residence	A place where the person (offender/predator) abides, lodges, or resides, including, but not limited to, vacation, business, or personal travel destinations in or out of this state, for a period of 3 or more days in the aggregate during any calendar year, and which is not the person's permanent address or, for a person whose permanent residence is not in this state, a place where the person is employed, practices a vocation, or is enrolled as a student for any period of time in this state. For the purpose of calculating a temporary residence, the first day that a person abides, lodges, or resides at a place is excluded and each subsequent day is counted. A day includes any part of a calendar day.
Transient Residence	A county where the person (offender/predator) lives, remains, or is located for the purpose of abiding, lodging, or residing for a period of 3 or more days in the aggregate during a calendar year and which is not the person's permanent or temporary address. The term includes, but is not limited to, a place where the person sleeps or seeks shelter and a location that has no specific street address. For the purpose of calculating a transient residence under this paragraph, the first day that a person lives, remains, or is located in a county for the purpose of abiding, lodging, or residing is excluded and each subsequent day is counted. A day includes any part of a calendar day.