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Welcome to the New York State Sex Offender Registry information center. The purpose of this site is to provide an overview of the sex offender registration law and how the public can obtain information about sex offenders. The Sex Offender Registration Act, New York's version of Megan's Law, was signed by Governor George E. Pataki in July 1995 and became effective on January 21, 1996. The text of the statute is contained in Correction Law Article 6-C (Section 168 et seq.).
Registered sex offenders in New York are classified by the risk of reoffense. A court determines whether an offender is a level 1 (low risk), 2 (moderate risk) or 3 (high risk). The court also determines whether an offender should be given the designation of a sexual predator, sexually violent offender or predicate sex offender. Offenders are required to be registered for 20 years or life. Level 1 offenders with no designation must register for twenty years. Level 1 offenders with a designation, as well as level 2 and level 3 offenders regardless of whether they have a designation must register for life.
There are 4 ways to obtain information about sex offenders in New York State:
- You can call 1-800-262-3257 to determine if someone is on the Registry. You will need the name of the offender and one of the following: an exact address, a complete date of birth, a driver's license number or a social security number. Read more on the 800 Information line.
- You can access the Subdirectory of Level 3 Sex Offenders on this web site by clicking on the "Search for Level 3 Sex Offenders" button. You can search for level 3 offenders by name, county or zip code. Please note that a federal court injunction currently prohibits the release of information on this web site concerning sex offenders who committed their crime prior to January 21, 1996 and were assigned a risk level prior to January 1, 2000.
- The local law enforcement agency where the offender currently resides, can, if it chooses, release information on sex offenders residing in the community to "entities with vulnerable populations related to the nature of the offense". The law enforcement agency can only release information on level 2 and level 3 offenders through this method. Also, while the exact address of level 3 offenders can be provided, the law provides that only an approximate address based on zip code can be provided for level 2 offenders. Please note that a federal court injunction currently prohibits the release of information through this method concerning sex offenders who committed their crime prior to January 21, 1996 and were assigned a risk level prior to January 1, 2000.
- Each local law enforcement agency receives from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services a copy (electronically or on a CD ROM) of the Subdirectory of Level 3 Sex Offenders which is maintained on this site . Local law enforcement is required to maintain the Subdirectory for the public to view upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where Can I Get Help?
See our Get Help page for more information on where you can seek help.
2. Who must register?
The Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) requires anyone on parole or probation or imprisoned for a sex offense on January 21, 1996, to register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services. In addition, sex offenders sentenced to probation, local jail, or state prison after that date must register upon their return to the community. In 1999, eight new offenses were added to the list of registerable offenses. Any person on parole or probation or imprisoned for one of these offenses on January 1, 2000, as well as any person who is convicted of one of the new offenses on or after that date, must also register. On March 11, 2002 seven new offenses were added to the list of registerable offenses, three misdemeanors and four felonies. Any person who commits one of the misdemeanor offenses on or after March 11, 2002 and is subsequently convicted of that offense must register. Any person on parole or probation or imprisoned for one of the felony offenses on March 11, 2002, as well as any person who is convicted of one of the new offenses on or after that date, must also register. The law is amended periodically by the New York State Legislature to add additional registerable offenses.
Offenders convicted in other jurisdictions (e.g., federal, military, or another state or country) must register if they are convicted of an offense which includes the essential elements of a New York State offense which requires registration; or, they are convicted of a felony in another jurisdiction which requires registration as a sex offender in that jurisdiction; or, they are convicted of 18 U.S.C.A. 2251, 18 U.S.C.A. 2251A, 18 U.S.C.A. 2252, 18 U.S.C.A. 2252A, or 18 U.S.C.A. 2260. Offenders convicted in other jurisdictions who reside or plan to reside in New York State are required by law to notify the Division of Criminal Justice Services (Division) and the Division shall notify the Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders which will determine whether registration is required. The notification should include the offender’s name, date of birth, social security number, telephone number, current address and any proposed new address, date of arrest, date of conviction, crime of conviction, jurisdiction of conviction and sentence received, and should be sent to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Sex Offender Registry, 4 Tower Place, Albany, N.Y. 12203.
Please note this information is intended for general guidance and reference only. A legal decision on whether a sex offender convicted in another jurisdiction will be required to register in New York State cannot be made before the individual is about to establish residence in New York State or be released from another jurisdiction’s prison, jail or other similar facility.
3. How are sex offenders classified in the Sex Offender Registry?
There are three levels of risk, based on an offender's risk of re-offending: Level 1 (low), Level 2 (moderate), and Level 3 (high). As a general rule, the sentencing court will determine an offender's risk level either at the time of sentence (in probation cases) or when the offender is released from custody (in jail or prison cases). Because the court may not possess up-to-date information on an offender being released from prison or jail, SORA established a Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders to evaluate these cases and make a risk level recommendation to the court. The risk level assigned governs the amount and type of community notification authorized for a particular sex offender.
There are also three designations that may be assigned to a sex offender: sexual predator, sexually violent offender or predicate sex offender. These designations are also made by the sentencing court. These designations, along with the risk level, govern the duration of the offender's registration period. View Risk Level Determination page.
4. For how long must an offender register?
Sex offenders who have been designated a sexual predator, a sexually violent offender or a predicate sex offender or who are classified as a Level 2 or Level 3 risk remain on the Sex Offender Registry for life. Level 1 sex offenders with no designation must register for a period of twenty years. View Risk Level Determination page.
5. What happens if an offender fails to register?
The failure to register is a crime. A first conviction is punishable as a class A misdemeanor; a repeat conviction is punishable as a class D felony.
6. How can one learn if a person is listed in the Sex Offender registry?
SORA has four distinct procedures for community notification. First, local law enforcement agencies are notified whenever a sex offender moves into their jurisdiction. That agency may notify schools and other "entities with vulnerable populations" about the presence of a Level 2 or Level 3 offender if the offender poses a threat to public safety. Second, SORA established a free* 800 # Information Line which citizens can call to inquire whether a person is listed in the Registry. Third, SORA provides for the distribution of the Subdirectory of Level 3 Sex Offenders to law enforcement agencies throughout the State. Citizens can review that Subdirectory at local law enforcement agencies. The Subdirectory includes photographs of all Level 3 offenders. Fourth, the Subdirectory may also be accessed via the Internet here at the Division of Criminal Justice Services' website.
7. How much information can be disseminated about an offender?
The information available depends upon the offender's level of risk. For low risk (Level 1) offenders, very little information can be disseminated. A person calling the 800 number will learn only that a Level 1 offender is listed in the Registry. For moderate and high-risk offenders (Levels 2 and 3), considerably more information is publicly available, including the offender's photograph, modus operandi and offense description, and any special conditions imposed by the court or parole authorities. For Level 2 offenders, approximate address by zip code can be provided; for Level 3 offenders the exact address may be provided.
8. What limits are imposed on a person who obtains information about an offender from the Sex Offender Registry?
SORA presumes that information from the Registry will be used responsibly to promote public safety. Persons or organizations receiving information may disseminate it to others at their discretion. The information may not be used to commit a crime against a person listed in the Registry or to engage in illegal discrimination or harassment against such a person.
9. What does the term "injunction" mean?
A court order commanding or preventing an action. Black's Law Dictionary (2002).
In May 1998, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an injunction prohibiting the State from classifying any sex offender who committed his or her crime prior to January 21, 1996 to a risk level higher than a Level 1 for purposes of community notification, unless the offender has been reclassified by a court in accordance with the due process requirements as set out in the Court's opinion. Accordingly, while the injunction remains in effect, Level 3 sex offenders who committed their crime prior to January 21, 1996, and who were risk leveled prior to January 1, 2000, cannot be included in the Subdirectory.
On June 4, 2004, a settlement was reached in Doe v. Pataki. Therefore, the injunction prohibiting community notification of certain sex offenders will be lifted as provided in the settlement. For more information, refer to the Legal Information: Stipulation of Settlement or the Notice of Settlement.
10. Are there additional resources that provide information regarding criminal offenders?
The New York State Department of Correctional Services operates and maintains a website that permits the user to obtain information regarding inmates who have been incarcerated in a Correctional Facility operated by the New York State Department of Correctional Services.
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