Alabama Sex Offenders
Alabama keeps a public registry of sex offenders that anyone can search for free. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency runs this database with help from county sheriffs across the state. Over 16,000 offenders are listed in the system. You can look up names, see photos, and find where offenders live. The registry uses OffenderWatch software and gets updates every day from local law enforcement in all 67 Alabama counties.
Alabama Sex Offender Registry Facts
How Alabama Tracks Sex Offenders
Alabama uses a two-part system to track sex offenders. The state agency ALEA keeps the main database. County sheriffs do the hands-on work of registering offenders and checking on them. This setup lets the state share data while local offices handle day-to-day tasks. Every sheriff in Alabama feeds info into the same statewide system.
ALEA stands for Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Their Sex Offender Registry Unit runs the public website and answers questions from the public. You can reach them at 334-676-7250 or email sexoffenderunit@alea.gov. The unit enters data from local sheriffs into the state database. They also run due process hearings when offenders want to challenge their status. The database syncs with the FBI's national system called NSOR.
County sheriffs are the main point of contact for sex offenders in Alabama. When someone must register, they go to the sheriff's office in the county where they live. The sheriff takes their photo, collects fingerprints, and records their address. Offenders must come back every three months to verify their info. If they move or change jobs, they must tell the sheriff within three days.
Who Must Register in Alabama?
Alabama law lists 41 offenses that require sex offender registration. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-5 spells out each crime. The list includes rape, sexual abuse, child porn, and other sex crimes. Some non-sex crimes also trigger registration if they involve a minor victim. Courts decide at sentencing if someone must register.
Adult offenders in Alabama must register for life. There is no way off the list for adults. This is different from many states that use a tier system. Alabama treats all adult sex offenders the same way. Juvenile offenders have different rules. They register for 10 years and can ask the court to end it early. Youthful offenders also get 10 years instead of life.
People who move to Alabama from other states must register too. They have three days to sign up with the local sheriff after they arrive. The same goes for anyone who works or goes to school in Alabama but lives elsewhere. These rules come from Code of Alabama § 15-20A-3.
What Sex Offender Records Show
The public registry shows key facts about each offender. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-8 lists what the state must make public. You can see a lot of detail on the website. The goal is to help people know who lives near them and what they did.
Each listing on the Alabama sex offender registry includes:
- Full name and any aliases
- Date of birth
- Current photo
- Physical marks like scars and tattoos
- Home address
- Work address and employer name
- Vehicle info
- Sex offense history with conviction details
Some info stays private. Social Security numbers, phone numbers, and email addresses are not shown to the public. The sheriff has this data but does not post it online. Info about victims is also kept out of the public view. What you see is enough to identify an offender and know what they did.
How to Search Alabama Sex Offenders
The state offers a free online search at the ALEA Community Information Center. You can look up offenders by name or by address. The site also has a map view that shows offenders near any location. This is the fastest way to check who is registered in your area. The search works on phones and computers alike.
To search the Alabama sex offender registry, go to app.alea.gov/community. Click on the Sex Offender link. You can then search by name, city, county, or zip code. The site shows results on a map with pins for each offender. Click a pin to see the full profile. You can also sign up for email alerts when an offender moves into your area.
County sheriff websites often have local search tools too. Many use the same OffenderWatch system. Some have extra features like maps of their county only. If you want to focus on one area, try the local sheriff site. They may show more detail about offenders in that county. Contact info for all 67 county sheriffs is on this site.
Sex Offender Registration Rules
Alabama has strict rules for how sex offenders must register. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-7 lists all the info they must give. This includes their address, job, car, and online accounts. The sheriff collects a new photo and fingerprints at each visit. DNA samples go to the state forensic lab.
Offenders must verify their info four times a year in person. This happens during their birth month and every three months after that. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-10 sets this schedule. Missing a check-in is a crime. Each quarterly visit costs $10, which the offender must pay. Indigent offenders can ask for a waiver.
If an offender moves, they have tight deadlines. They must tell the old sheriff before they leave. They must tell the new sheriff within three days of arriving. Job changes work the same way. Any new vehicle must be reported within three days too. These rules come from Code of Alabama § 15-20A-22.
Where Sex Offenders Can Live
Alabama law limits where sex offenders can live. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-11 bans them from living within 2,000 feet of schools and childcare centers. This is about four-tenths of a mile. The rule applies to any place that serves children on a regular basis.
Some cities and counties in Alabama have added their own rules on top of the state law. These may ban offenders from parks, bus stops, or other spots. Check with your local sheriff or city hall to see what extra rules apply in your area. The state law sets the floor, but local rules can be tougher.
The 2,000-foot rule can make it hard to find housing in urban areas. Many offenders end up in rural parts of counties where there are fewer restricted zones. If you are concerned about an offender living near a school, contact the local sheriff. They enforce these rules and can check if an address is legal.
Community Notification in Alabama
Alabama law requires sheriffs to notify the community when a sex offender moves in. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-21 sets the rules. Homes within 1,000 to 2,000 feet get a postcard notice. Schools within three miles also get told. The sheriff handles all of this within days of the offender registering.
You can also sign up for alerts through OffenderWatch. The site lets you enter an address and get emails when offenders move nearby. This is a free service run by the same company that powers the state database. Many people use it to keep track of their home area and their kids' school zones.
Sheriffs may post flyers in some cases. They can also hold community meetings for high-risk offenders. These extra steps are up to the local office. The goal is to give people the info they need to stay safe. If you have questions about an offender in your area, call the sheriff's sex offender unit.
What Happens if Offenders Break Rules
Sex offenders who fail to follow the rules face serious charges. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-37 makes it a Class C felony to violate registration rules. This can mean one to ten years in prison. It applies to missing check-ins, lying about an address, or failing to register at all.
Law enforcement checks on offenders often. Sheriffs do home visits to make sure offenders live where they say they do. Some counties do monthly checks. If an offender is not home or the address is wrong, they can be arrested. State and federal marshals also run sweeps to catch people who skip out.
If you think an offender is not following the rules, report it. Call the local sheriff or the ALEA tip line. You can also use the online tip form on OffenderWatch. Give as much detail as you can. Tips from the public help catch offenders who try to hide.
Sex Offender Forms in Alabama
ALEA provides official forms for sex offender registration. These include the acknowledgment form that offenders sign, travel permits, and update forms. Sheriffs use these when they register someone or make changes. You can view the forms online to see what info the state collects.
The forms are at app.alea.gov/Community under the Sex Offender Information section. Key forms include the Adult Sex Offender Responsibilities form, the Travel Permit, and the Homeless Acknowledgement form. Offenders must sign these papers to show they know the rules. Failure to sign can be a violation.
Search Sex Offenders by County
Each Alabama county has a sheriff who handles sex offender registration. Pick a county below to find local contact info, search links, and details about offenders in that area.
Sex Offenders in Major Alabama Cities
Residents of major cities can search sex offenders through their county sheriff. Pick a city below to learn about local resources and search options.