Dothan Sex Offender Search
Sex offender registration in Dothan is handled by the Houston County Sheriff's Office. Dothan is the largest city in southeast Alabama with about 72,000 residents. The city is known as the "Peanut Capital of the World."
Dothan Quick Facts
Houston County Sheriff's Office
The Houston County Sheriff handles all sex offender registration for Dothan residents. Every person on the registry must check in at the sheriff's office in person four times per year. They come during their birth month and every three months after that. Staff take a new photo, verify their address, and update the state database.
Dothan is the county seat of Houston County. The sheriff's office sits on North Foster Street downtown. Sex offenders living anywhere in Dothan must register here. Houston County is the youngest county in Alabama, established in 1903. Despite its size, the county takes sex offender compliance seriously.
| Address | 411 N Foster Street Dothan, AL 36303 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 677-4882 |
| Sex Offender Contact | (334) 677-4888 |
| Website | houstoncosoal.gov |
How to Search Dothan Sex Offenders
You can search for sex offenders in Dothan through the state registry website. The database has every registered offender in Houston County. Search by name, address, or ZIP code. The site shows photos, home addresses, and offense details for each person listed.
The ALEA Community Information Center at app.alea.gov/community is the main search tool. Click the Sex Offender link and type in a Dothan address. A map shows pins for each offender nearby. Click any pin to see the full profile with photo and conviction details.
The Dothan Police Department has a sex offender registry page at dothanpd.org/crime/sex-offender-registry. This page links to the state database and explains local procedures. Dothan PD conducts monthly residence checks on offenders living in the city.
To search sex offenders in Dothan, you can use:
- Name of the offender
- Street address in Dothan
- ZIP code (36301, 36302, 36303, 36304, 36305)
- Map view to browse by neighborhood
Registration Requirements in Dothan
Sex offenders in Dothan must follow Alabama law on registration. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-10 requires quarterly in-person check-ins. This means four visits per year to the Houston County Sheriff. Missing a check-in is a felony.
Each visit costs $10. The sheriff collects this fee to fund the registry program. Offenders who cannot pay can ask for a waiver by showing proof of low income. At each visit, staff check the person's home address, job, and vehicle info. They take a new photo if the old one is out of date.
Offenders who move into Dothan from another place have three days to register. This applies to people from other Alabama counties and from out of state. They must also tell the sheriff within three days if they change jobs, get a new car, or move to a new address. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-22 sets these rules.
Dothan sits near the Florida and Georgia borders. Offenders who cross state lines have extra rules. They must notify both states about their travel. The sheriff works with neighboring agencies to track offenders who move between states.
What Dothan Records Show
Sex offender records in Dothan show detailed info about each person on the list. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-8 says what the public can see. The goal is to let residents know who lives near them and what crimes they committed.
Each listing in the Dothan area shows:
- Full name and any aliases used
- Date of birth
- Current photo
- Home address in Dothan
- Work address and employer name
- Physical marks like scars or tattoos
- Vehicle make, model, and plate number
- Sex offense history with conviction dates
Some info stays private. Social Security numbers, phone numbers, and victim names are not shown online. The sheriff has this data but keeps it out of public view. If you need more details about an offender in Dothan, call the sheriff's office at (334) 677-4888.
Residency Rules in Dothan
Sex offenders in Dothan cannot live near schools or child care centers. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-11 sets a 2,000-foot buffer zone. This is about four-tenths of a mile. The rule applies to any place that regularly serves children.
Dothan has schools spread throughout the city. Dothan City Schools and private schools create buffer zones across most neighborhoods. Many offenders end up in rural parts of Houston County where fewer restricted zones exist. The sheriff checks addresses before approving them.
If you are concerned about an offender living too close to a school, report it to the sheriff. They will check the address and take action if it violates the law. The Dothan Police can also relay your concerns to the sheriff.
Community Notification in Dothan
When a sex offender moves into a Dothan neighborhood, the sheriff sends out notices. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-21 requires notice to homes within 1,000 to 2,000 feet of the offender's address. Schools within three miles also get told.
You can sign up for email alerts through OffenderWatch. Enter your Dothan address and the system sends an email when an offender moves into or out of your area. This free service helps many Dothan parents keep track of who lives near their home and schools.
The sheriff also posts booking information online. You can see who has been arrested recently, including people charged with sex offender violations. Check the Houston County Sheriff website for the inmate search tool.
Report a Violation in Dothan
If you think a sex offender in Dothan is breaking the rules, report it right away. Common problems include living at the wrong address, failing to check in, or being near a school. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-37 makes these acts a Class C felony with one to ten years in prison.
To report a violation, call the Houston County Sheriff at (334) 677-4888. You can also use the tip form on the state registry website or call ALEA at 334-676-7250. Give as much detail as you can. Include the offender's name, what rule they broke, and when it happened.
The sheriff runs regular compliance checks in Dothan. Deputies visit offenders at home to make sure they live where they say they do. They also check work addresses. Dothan Police conduct monthly residence checks on city offenders. This double layer of oversight helps catch violations early.
Dothan Police and Sex Crimes
The Dothan Police Department investigates sex crimes in the city. They do not handle registration, but they work closely with the sheriff on compliance. If a sex crime happens in Dothan, call the police at (334) 615-3000. For emergencies, call 911.
Dothan PD has a Sex Crimes Unit that you can reach at (334) 615-3632. They focus on investigating new crimes and tracking compliance. Monthly residence checks give officers regular contact with offenders in the city. The department works with the Houston County Sheriff and state agencies.
Houston County Sex Offenders
Dothan is in Houston County, and all sex offender registration goes through the Houston County Sheriff. The county covers Dothan and surrounding rural areas. For full details on registration rules, fees, and county resources, see the Houston County page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Dothan in southeast Alabama. Each has its own county for sex offender registration.