Family Watchdog makes no expressed or implied representations regarding the accuracy, completeness, or current status of the information presented on this website. All data published on this site is sourced from official public records. In many cases, this information is obtained directly from registered offenders, who are legally required to provide their most recent residential address and related details to law enforcement authorities.
The information available on this site should not be interpreted as an assessment of any individual's risk of re-offending or as a prediction of the nature or severity of any potential future criminal behavior.
Any form of harassment, intimidation, stalking, or threats directed toward individuals listed on this site is strictly prohibited and may constitute a violation of state law. Such actions are not supported, endorsed, or encouraged by Family Watchdog, its directors, or its employees.
By continuing to access and use this website, you acknowledge and agree to these terms and understand the limitations associated with the information provided.
What is Family Watchdog?
Family Watchdog provides a centralized resource that enables you to identify where registered sexual offenders reside and work in relation to you and your family. Our platform consolidates data from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and participating tribal registries, creating a comprehensive, one-stop search tool.
Whether you are searching for a specific individual - such as "John Doe" - or simply seeking awareness of offenders in your area, our system allows you to review information across all jurisdictions simultaneously. This eliminates the need to search each state registry individually and ensures faster, more efficient access to publicly available safety information.
Is there a cost to use Family Watchdog?
There is absolutely no cost to search for registered offenders or to view our interactive maps. You may also enroll in our free email alert service, which notifies you when an offender moves into your designated area. All services offered by Family Watchdog are provided at no charge - there are no hidden fees or subscription costs of any kind.
If you notice a charge on your bill that appears related to our name, please verify the source carefully. Ensure the charge is not associated with FamilyWatchdog.com, which is not affiliated with FamilyWatchdog.us and may offer different services.
How long has Family Watchdog been available?
Family watchdog has been in production since August 25, 2005.
What else does Family Watchdog do?
Family Watchdog offers proactive notification services to help you stay informed about potential risks in your community. When a registered sexual predator relocates within a five-mile radius of an address you provide, our system can automatically alert you. In addition, Family Watchdog allows you to track specific offenders and will notify you whenever there is an update to their information.
We also publish monthly newsletters featuring valuable safety resources, educational content, and important updates. For ongoing community engagement, our interactive blog provides a space where users can share insights, ask questions, and participate in discussions.
Why is sex offender information public?
Megan's Law was established to ensure that communities receive information and, when appropriate, formal notification when potentially dangerous sex offenders move into their area. The specific procedures and level of notification can vary widely - not only from state to state, but in some cases from one community to another within the same state.
Despite these differences, Megan's Law has resulted in a nationwide framework in which all states monitor the residences of registered sex offenders and provide public access to this information. This system is intended to promote community awareness and enhance public safety.
What offenders are displayed/public?
Each state establishes its own criteria for which types of offenders must be listed on a public registry. While many states require the registration of sexual offenders, others also mandate public registration for individuals convicted of violent crimes, child abuse, kidnapping, or other serious and dangerous offenses - including certain drug-related or violent felonies.
These individuals are required to register on a publicly accessible website so that communities have access to information about their offenses and known locations, thereby supporting public awareness and safety. All offenders displayed on public registries have been convicted of the crimes listed. Offenders who have not yet been convicted, sentenced, or released may not appear on the registry until the legal process is complete.
Because registration laws differ significantly across jurisdictions, we encourage you to review your specific state's statutes to understand which categories of offenders are publicly displayed where you live.
What addresses can I choose for notifications?
You are free to use any address that is meaningful or important to you. This may include your home, a child's school, your place of worship, a local playground, a daycare center, or even the residence of a parent or grandparent. Simply enter the address - or multiple addresses - that best supports your personal safety needs and the well-being of your family.
How will you notify me?
Our notification system relies exclusively on email as the primary method of delivering alerts. If you do not have an active email address, we are unable to provide notification services. Additionally, we are not able to send physical mail or printed notifications under any circumstances, even upon request.
I moved, how do I change my address?
You can access your account by signing in with your username and password. Once logged in, you may update your address by selecting the pencil icon located next to your current information. After making your changes, your updated address will be automatically saved.
In many cases, your username is the same as the email address you used during registration, and your password may also have been initially set to that email unless you changed it later. If you experience any difficulties logging in or accessing your account, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist you.
There is an offender registered at MY address. That person does NOT live here.
If an offender's address appears to be incorrect, it may indicate that they have not reported their move as required. To address this, you will need to contact the state registry responsible for maintaining this offender's information. You can identify the appropriate agency by selecting the Convictions tab on the offender's profile, where the source of the data is listed.
Please reach out directly to that state registry to request an update or to report any discrepancies. If you need assistance locating the correct contact information or communicating with the state registry, our customer service team is available to help - simply email us and we will assist you further.
There is a map marker on my address, the offender does NOT LIVE here.
Please contact our
customer service team so we can help identify and resolve the issue. When contacting us, be sure to include the offender's full name and complete address. Providing this information allows our representatives to thoroughly investigate the matter and assist you more efficiently.
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My name is on your site, what do I need to do to get off it?
We understand your concerns; however, as long as your information continues to appear on the official state registry, we are unable to remove it from our website. Our data is sourced directly from state authorities, and we must display the information exactly as it is provided.
If you believe the information on the state registry is incorrect or that your details should no longer be publicly listed, we encourage you to contact the appropriate state registry to address the matter directly.
Once your information has been updated or removed by the state, please notify us. We will then verify the change and update our website accordingly.
How often do you update?
Our website is updated according to each state registry's individual update schedule and data-processing procedures. In most cases, state registries refresh their information every 24-48 hours, and our system reflects those updates shortly thereafter. This ensures that the information displayed on our site remains as current and accurate as possible based on the data provided by each state.
What is non mappable offender?
"Non-mappable offenders" are individuals whose information cannot be displayed on the map. This occurs when we do not have a complete address for the offender or when our geocoding system is unable to recognize or validate the address provided by the registry.
You can still view details for non-mappable offenders by selecting the List tab located above the map. To display only these individuals, open the filter options and select Non-mappables, which will limit the results to offenders who are not shown on the map.
Why are the maps not showing my area?
Our maps are provided through a third-party mapping service, which typically updates its geographic data approximately every six months. We refresh our system each time they release an update.
If you live in a newly developed area - such as a new street, subdivision, or housing addition - it is possible that the mapping provider has not yet added your location to their database. In such cases, your address may not appear on our maps until the next update from the mapping service is released.
Is everyone on Family Watchdog a sexual predator?
No. Some states include violent offenders and/or certain drug offenders on their public registries in addition to sexual offenders. To determine the specific type of offense for any individual, you will need to review that person's detailed record.
What should I tell my children about the offenders near my home?
Keep safety conversations with children general and age-appropriate. Focus on helping them understand how to avoid unsafe situations rather than teaching them to be cautious of only one specific individual. Emphasize the importance of staying aware, making good choices, and seeking help when something feels wrong.
Basic safety guidelines may include:
DON'T accept rides from strangers under any circumstances.
DON'T enter a stranger's home, yard, or vehicle - even if the person seems friendly.
TELL a parent or trusted adult immediately if someone you do not know offers gifts, money, toys, or candy.
TRY to use the buddy system when playing outside or walking in the neighborhood.
CALL 911 if a stranger approaches you and your parents or guardians are not nearby.
These general safety rules help children build confidence and awareness in a broad range of situations.
Can you include juvenile offenders on Family Watchdog?
If a juvenile offender is listed on the state's online registry, we are able to include their information on our website. However, if the state does not make a juvenile's information publicly available online, we are unable to display it. Our listings can only reflect what each state chooses to release through its official registry.
What are the risk levels?
A numeric risk level reflects the assessed likelihood that a sex offender may pose a danger to the community. This level is assigned when an individual is released from a correctional facility, placed on community supervision, or placed on juvenile probation. The determination is made using a standardized sex offender screening tool adopted by the Risk Assessment Review Committee.
States typically use three primary risk levels:
Level One (Low Risk): Indicates that the individual is considered to pose a low risk to the community and is not likely to engage in additional criminal sexual behavior.
Level Two (Moderate Risk): Indicates that the individual presents a moderate risk to the community and may have the potential to commit additional sexual offenses.
Level Three (High Risk): Indicates that the individual poses a significant danger to the community and is considered likely to engage in further criminal sexual conduct.
These classifications help communities understand the level of risk associated with each offender and support informed decision-making regarding public safety.
Do all people convicted of a sex offense have to register?
Only offenders who were convicted after 1970 and who remained under some form of supervision as of September 1, 1997, are required to register. Individuals convicted of sex-related offenses prior to these dates may not be subject to registration requirements. In certain cases, judges may also grant exemptions when permitted by law.
These guidelines vary by jurisdiction, so registration obligations depend on both the date of conviction and the legal provisions in place at the time.
How long do offenders have to register for?
The length of time an offender must remain on a registry depends on several factors, including the laws of the state where the conviction occurred, the legal requirements of the jurisdiction in which the offender currently resides, and the specific offense committed. Registration periods may also differ for juvenile offenders, as many states have distinct rules and timelines for individuals adjudicated as minors.
Because these requirements vary widely across jurisdictions, the duration of registration is determined by a combination of these legal and situational factors.
Your website has the wrong information on an offender
Please contact our customer service team and provide the offender's full name, complete address, and a description of the information you believe is incorrect so we can investigate the matter for you. Please keep in mind that our records must match the information provided by the official state registry. Any corrections must first be made at the state level before we are able to update our site.
What do the colors on the map mean?
If you look beneath the map on your browser or mobile device, you will find the Map Legend, which explains the meaning of each icon and color used on the map.
General Icons
House Icon - Represents the location or address you entered.
Yellow Pedestrian Sign - Indicates a school.
Black Dot - Shows when an offender has moved in or out of the area (this typically appears if you received a notification email).
Color Codes for Offense Categories
Offenses Against Children
Red - Offender's home address
Dark Red - Offender's other associated address
Rape Offenses
Yellow - Offender's home address
Gold - Offender's other associated address
Sexual Battery
Blue - Offender's home address
Dark Blue - Offender's other associated address
Other Offenses
Green - Offender's home address
Dark Green - Offender's other associated address
This legend helps you quickly identify offender types and locations for easier and more informed map navigation.
You have the wrong colored marker on the map
Occasionally, errors may occur in the color coding of markers displayed on the map. If you believe a marker is incorrectly categorized or displayed, please reach out to our customer support team. We will review the information and make any necessary corrections.
What does the house icon mean? Is there an offender at my address?
The house icon marks the address you provided as the focal point for the search area. It does not indicate that an offender resides at that specific location. Please verify whether an offender's name is associated with that address by checking the offender list or the offender's profile - if no name appears, the house icon simply represents the location you entered.
Can an offender live with a child or near a school?
Residency restrictions for registered sex offenders vary significantly from state to state. In many jurisdictions, offenders are required to live a minimum distance - often between 500 and 1,000 feet - from schools or other designated child-safety zones. A smaller number of states impose greater distance requirements. Some states also specify that an offender may only be on school property for limited purposes, such as dropping off or picking up their own child.
To understand the specific laws that apply in your area, we recommend contacting your local county sheriff's office. They can provide accurate, up-to-date information and verify whether offenders in your community are residing within the legal requirements.
You are missing a school/daycare - How can I make sure that it gets added to your database?
Please use the provided link to submit a request to add a school or daycare to our site. Once our technical support team reviews and approves the submission, the location will be added and made visible on the website. This feature is an excellent resource to share with students, families, and staff to help promote community awareness and safety.
Are there registered sexual offenders that are not in your database?
Unfortunately, yes. Our service depends entirely on publicly available data provided by state and county agencies. If an offender relocates but does not report their new address to the county sheriff, that information will not be reflected in the state registry - and therefore will not appear on our website.
It is also important to understand that not all offenders are immediately identified or apprehended. For this reason, staying informed and following general safety practices is always recommended. Our system can help by keeping you updated with the most current information that has been officially reported.
There is someone listed in my neighborhood or at work that is not there anymore and you still show them at that address. Why?
Our service relies entirely on publicly available information provided by state and local authorities. If a registered sexual offender moves and fails to report their new address as required, the change will not appear in the official registry. As a result, we will not be aware of the relocation or able to update the information on our website.
Why does the little marker for the offender show up in the wrong place on the map?
We determine an offender's mapped location using available census and geocoding data. Because of limitations in these datasets, an address may occasionally display inaccurately - sometimes by 100 meters or more, which can appear as approximately one city block on the map.
We are continually working to improve the precision of our mapping system. If you notice that an address appears incorrect or significantly offset, please contact our customer service team so we can review and address the issue.
If I know of an offender that is not on your database, should I contact you?
No, please do not contact us regarding this matter. If you believe a registered sexual offender has failed to report a change of address, you should contact your local police department or sheriff's office. Failing to report as required is a felony offense, and law enforcement has the authority to investigate and take appropriate action, including returning the offender to custody if necessary.
Can sexual offenders have Facebook or other social media?
According to Facebook's community guidelines, registered offenders are not permitted to maintain a Facebook profile. If you encounter an offender on the platform, please report the account directly to Facebook using the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/help/210081519032737
When submitting a report, Facebook prefers that you include a link to the official state registry record for the individual, rather than a link to Family Watchdog. This helps them verify the information more quickly and take appropriate action.
Is Family Watchdog hiring?
Thank you for your interest in joining our team. At this time, we are not hiring, but we appreciate your inquiry and encourage you to check back for future opportunities.
How can I go about purchasing your API?
Please go to
here. All the information you will need will be there. We look forward to working with you!
If you believe the information displayed on this website is incorrect, please contact the local police department in the jurisdiction where you believe the error exists. They can assist you directly or direct you to the appropriate state or local authority responsible for maintaining the official registry.
Please note that we are not law enforcement officers, nor do we work directly with any government agencies. Our information is sourced solely from publicly available data.
If you believe the error is specific to how the information appears on our website, please reach out to us through our Contact Us form, and we will be happy to review the issue.