Jefferson County Sex Offenders
Jefferson County sex offender registration is handled by the Sheriff's Office in Birmingham. This is Alabama's most populous county with over 674,000 residents. The sheriff maintains a list of all registered offenders living in the county and feeds this data into the statewide ALEA database.
Jefferson County Quick Facts
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
The Jefferson County Sheriff handles all sex offender registration for the county. Offenders must register in person at the sheriff's office. They bring a photo ID and pay the $10 quarterly fee. The sheriff takes their photo and fingerprints, then updates the state database. Staff can answer questions about who must register and what the rules are.
Jefferson County is home to Birmingham, the state's largest metro area. The sheriff's office is located at the Mel Bailey Justice Center. Sex offenders living anywhere in Jefferson County must register here. This includes cities like Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Bessemer, Trussville, and dozens of smaller towns. The office has expanded its School Resource Officer program in 2026.
| Address | 2200 Rev Abraham Woods, Jr., Blvd Birmingham, AL 35203 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 325-5700 |
| Sex Offender Unit | (205) 325-5800 |
| sou@jeffcosheriffal.com | |
| Website | jeffcosheriffal.com |
How to Search Jefferson County Sex Offenders
You can search for sex offenders in Jefferson County through several methods. The state database is the most complete option. It has every registered offender in the county. Local searches may show extra details about offenders in your area. Both methods are free to use.
The ALEA Community Information Center at app.alea.gov/community is the main search tool. Click the Sex Offender link, then search by name or address. You can filter results to show only Jefferson County. The site displays a map with pins for each offender. Click any pin to see the full profile with photo, address, and offense details.
To search sex offenders in Jefferson County, you can use:
- Name of the offender
- Street address or city
- ZIP code
- Map view to browse visually
You can also call the Jefferson County Sheriff at (205) 325-5800. Staff can check if someone is on the registry. They can tell you how many offenders live in a certain area. For written records, send a request to the sheriff's office or use their website contact form.
Registration Requirements in Jefferson County
Sex offenders in Jefferson County must follow strict rules set by Alabama law. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-10 requires quarterly in-person verification. This means four visits per year. Offenders must come in during their birth month and every three months after that. Missing a check-in is a felony.
Each visit costs $10. The sheriff collects this fee and uses it to fund the registry program. Offenders who cannot pay may ask for a waiver by showing proof of low income. At each visit, the sheriff checks the offender's address, job, and vehicle info. They take a new photo and update fingerprints if needed.
Offenders who move into Jefferson County have three days to register. This applies to people moving from other Alabama counties or from out of state. They must also notify the sheriff within three days if they change jobs or get a new car. These deadlines come from Code of Alabama § 15-20A-22.
What Jefferson County Records Show
Sex offender records in Jefferson County include detailed info about each person on the registry. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-8 lists what the public can see. The goal is to help residents know who lives in their area and what crimes they committed.
Each sex offender listing in Jefferson County shows:
- Full name and any aliases
- Date of birth
- Current photo
- Home address
- Work address and employer
- Physical description and marks
- Vehicle information
- Sex offense history with dates
Some info is kept private. Social Security numbers, phone numbers, and victim details are not shown to the public. The sheriff has this data but does not post it online. If you need more details about an offender, contact the sheriff's sex offender unit.
Residency Rules in Jefferson County
Sex offenders in Jefferson County cannot live near schools or childcare centers. Code of Alabama § 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.
Birmingham and other Jefferson County cities may have extra local rules. Some ban offenders from parks, libraries, or bus stops near schools. Check with the Birmingham city council or your local government to see what extra limits apply in your area. The sheriff's office can also tell you if a specific address is allowed.
The 2,000-foot rule makes urban housing hard to find. Many offenders in Jefferson County end up in rural pockets or industrial areas with few restricted zones. 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.
Community Notification in Jefferson County
When a sex offender moves into Jefferson County, the sheriff notifies the community. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-21 requires notice to homes within 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Schools within three miles also get told. This happens within days of the offender registering.
You can sign up for email alerts through OffenderWatch. Go to the state search site and enter your address. You will get an email whenever an offender moves into or out of your area. This is a free service. Many Jefferson County residents use it to track activity near their home and their kids' schools.
The sheriff may also post flyers or hold community meetings for high-risk offenders. These extra steps are at the sheriff's discretion. If you want more info about a specific offender, call the sex offender unit at (205) 325-5800 or email sou@jeffcosheriffal.com.
Report a Violation in Jefferson County
If you think a sex offender in Jefferson County is breaking the rules, report it. Common violations include living at the wrong address, failing to check in, or being near a school. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-37 makes these acts a Class C felony with one to ten years in prison.
To report a violation, call the Jefferson County Sheriff at (205) 325-5800. You can also use the tip form on OffenderWatch or contact ALEA directly. Give as much detail as you can. Include the offender's name, what rule they broke, and when it happened. Tips from the public help catch offenders who try to hide.
The sheriff does regular compliance checks. Deputies visit offenders at home to make sure they live where they say they do. They also check work addresses and look for unreported vehicles. If you see something that does not match what is in the registry, let the sheriff know.
Cities in Jefferson County
Jefferson County has over 35 cities and towns. All sex offenders in these areas register with the Jefferson County Sheriff. The county seat is Birmingham, which is also the state's largest city. Click below to see city-specific info.
Other cities in Jefferson County include Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Bessemer, Trussville, Gardendale, Center Point, Hueytown, Irondale, and Fultondale.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Jefferson County. If you live near the county line, make sure you register with the right sheriff. Sex offenders must register in the county where they actually live.