The New York State Sex Offender Registry helps protect families against sexual predators by informing them of the location of ex-offenders. Convicted sex offenders are required by law to register and this information is free and available to the public and law enforcement agencies.
Sex offenders are classified in the following ways
- Level One: The court has determined that there is a low risk of the offender committing another sex crime. Level one offenders must register for a minimum of 20 years.
- Level Two: The court has determined that there is a medium risk that the offender will commit another sex crime. Level two offenders are on the registry for life.
- Level Three: The court has determined that there is a high risk that the offender will commit another sex crime. Level three offenders are on the record for life.
To find out if someone is on the New York State Sex Offender Registry, you can do a free search online at the New York State Sex Offender Registry website. This record can be searched by last name, zip code, or county. The public website only lists level two and level three offenders.
You can also call (800) 262-3257 for information on level one, or two, or three offenders. You will need to know the offender’s name and one of the following if you call the 800 number: the exact address or a date of birth or a driver’s license number or a social security number.
For information on paroled sex offenders, you can also go to Megan’s Parents for Law. You can also call the National Megan’s Law Helpline at (800) ASK-PFML.
Again, go to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services website and choose a field to search the subdirectory by last name, by county, or by zip code. Then press the “search” box to see if the person you are investigating is in this record.
Please note that the Sex Offender Registry now publishes multiple photos of these registered sex offenders as they become available. This can provide more information for New Yorkers to keep their families safe. In addition, the registry also lists the aliases of these criminals. DCJS cannot release information about Level 1 (low level) sex offenders or those with a pending level of risk in your neighborhood. But the agency can advise if a particular individual is on this registry.
