FAQ - Megan's Law Public Website

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL INFORMATION

What is Megan's Law?

Megan's Law exists solely for the purpose of providing a means of protecting the public, especially our children, from victimization by sexual offenders. This is accomplished by tracking the whereabouts of convicted sexual offenders and providing notification to the public of the presence of a sexual offender in their community. Utilizing the combination of tracking and notification, law enforcement and private citizens are able to develop constructive plans, safety programs, and victimization prevention strategies to prepare for the presence of sexual offenders in their neighborhoods.

What statute is it?

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 42, Chapter 97, Subchapters H and I.

What state agency is responsible for maintaining the registry?

The Pennsylvania State Police is responsible for updating the information on every offender included within the website. Updates are posted on the website the date the change is made to the computerized registry.

How can I contact the Megan's Law Section?

Address:

Pennsylvania State Police
Attn.: Megan's Law Section
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Phone No.:

1-866-771-3170 (toll free)

How can I get information on registered persons living in my community?

Members of the public may search the website for registered sexual offenders or Sexually Violent Predators/Sexually Violent Delinquent Children who are homeless/transient, live, work, or attend school in their community through this website. Per Law, members of the public are only entitled to the information about registered persons that appear on the website. Only information listed on the website can be provided to the public.

Additional information on Sexually Violent Predators/Sexually Violent Delinquent Children residing in your community may be obtained by contacting the chief law enforcement officer in your community. In communities where the Pennsylvania State Police is the primary law enforcement agency, members of the public may contact the local Pennsylvania State Police station for information on Sexually Violent Predators/Sexually Violent Delinquent Children.

What information is available on the website for registered sexual offenders and Sexually Violent Predators/Sexually Violent Delinquent Children?

Some or all of the following information is available on the website for both registered sexual offenders and Sexually Violent Predators/Sexually Violent Delinquent Children:

Name and all known aliases;
Year of birth;
The street address, city, municipality, county, state, and zip code of all residences, and intended residences;
In the case of an individual who is homeless/transient, information relative the transient’s temporary habitat or other temporary place of abode or dwelling, including, but not limited to, a homeless shelter or park. In addition, if applicable, a list of the places the transient eats, frequents and engages in leisure activities;
The street address, city, municipality, county, state, zip code and name of any institution or location at which the offender is enrolled as a student;
The street address, city, municipality, state, county, and zip code of a fixed location where the offender is employed. If an offender is not employed at a fixed location, the information will include general areas of work;
Photograph(s) of the offender;
A physical description of the offender, including gender, height, weight, eye color, hair color and race;
Any identifying marks, including scars, birthmarks, tattoos, and amputations;
The license plate number and description of any vehicle owned or operated by the offender;
Whether the offender is currently compliant with registration requirements;
Whether the victim is a minor;
A description of the offense, which triggered registration and a list of other conviction(s) for offense(s) that would require registration (if applicable);
The date of conviction, if available.
The date on which the offender is made active within the registry and the date when the offender most recently updated registration information; and
When possible, a map of where the offender lives, is employed and attends school if applicable. In the case of a homeless/transient offender.

Why are some of the sexual offenders no longer on this website?

There are several reasons why a sexual offender or a Sexually Violent Predator/Sexual Violent Delinquent Child no longer appears on this website:

The sexual offender or Sexually Violent Predator/Sexual Violent Delinquent Child is now deceased.
The sexual offender or Sexually Violent Predator/Sexual Violent Delinquent Child no longer resides, works, or attends school in Pennsylvania.
The sexual offender completed the required period of registration and is no longer required to register.

What if I know a sexual offender is not complying with the registration requirements/law?

It is recommended that you immediately contact your local law enforcement agency, as well as the State Police Megan’s Law Section, 1-866-771-3170. Note: A person commits a felony of the third degree and can be prosecuted if the person has reason to believe that a sexual offender is not complying with or has not complied with the requirements of the sexual offender’s probation or parole, or with their registration requirements under Megan’s Law and intentionally assists the sexual offender in eluding law enforcement seeking to find, question or arrest the sexual offender for noncompliance with the requirements of the sexual offender’s probation or parole or the requirements of Megan’s Law. This includes an individual who:

Withholds information or does not notify the law enforcement agent or agency about the sexual offender’s noncompliance with the requirements of parole, the requirements of Megan’s Law or, if known, the sexual offender’s whereabouts;
Harbors or attempts to harbor or assist another person in harboring or attempting to harbor the sexual offender;
Conceals or attempts to conceal, or assists another person in concealing or attempting to conceal, the sexual offender; or
Provides information to the law enforcement agent or agency regarding the sexual offender which the person knows to be false.

Are sexual offenders and Sexually Violent Predators/Sexual Violent Delinquent Children allowed to live near a school, park, daycare center, etc?

Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law does not restrict where a sexual offender or Sexually Violent Predator/Sexual Violent Delinquent Child may reside. However, an offender may be restricted from residing near a school, park, daycare center, etc. under one of the following circumstances:

The sexual offender or Sexually Violent Predator/Sexual Violent Delinquent Child is under the supervision of a federal, state, or county department of probation or parole and there are specific restrictions designating where the sexual offender or sexually violent predators may reside.
The sexual offender or Sexually Violent Predator/Sexual Violent Delinquent Child is under specific court ordered restrictions designating where the offender may reside or who the offender may have contact with.

Note: 42 Pa.C.S. 9799.25 (f) and 9799.55 (d) state that no more than five Sexually Violent Predators may live in a group-based home at any one time. Group-based homes violating this prohibition are subject to a civil penalty in the form of a fine that can range from $2,500 to $5,000.

Are individuals allowed to leave a child unsupervised with a sexual offender, sexually violent predator, or sexually violent delinquent child?

(Effective 12/31/2014) Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law defines the term “child abuse” as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly…leaving a child unsupervised with an individual, other than the child’s parent, who the actor knows or reasonably should have known:

(A) Is required to register as a Tier II or Tier III sexual offender under 42 Pa. C.S. Ch. 97 Subch. H (relating to registration of sexual offenders), where the victim of the sexual offense was under 18 years of age when the crime was committed.
(B) Has been determined to be a sexually violent predator under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.24 (relating to assessments) or any of its predecessors.
(C) Has been determined to be a sexually violent delinquent child as defined in 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.12 (relating to definitions).
(D) Has been determined to be a sexually violent predator under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.58 (relating to assessments) or has to register for life under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(b) (relating to registration).

Suspected child abuse, as defined in Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law, will be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation.

In addition, if the sexual offender, sexually violent predator, or sexually violent delinquent child is under the supervision of a federal, state, or county department of probation or parole, there may be conditions of the individual’s probation or parole which partially or completely prohibit the individual from having contact with children.

What do I do if I suspect an individual leaves a child unsupervised with a sexual offender, sexually violent predator, or sexually violent delinquent child?

(Effective 12/31/2014) If the supervision of the child meets the criteria as defined in the above question, an individual may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ toll-free child abuse hotline at 1-800-932-0313 to report the abuse. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will then contact the appropriate county Children and Youth Services agency, the appropriate law enforcement agency, or both, to initiate an investigation.

If there is an immediate concern for the child’s safety, an individual should immediately call 911 and report the incident to the police.

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REGISTRATION

What offenses require a person to register, what Tier is designated to the offense, and how long does an offender have to register?

Please go to the Registration Details page to view a full list of offenses that require registration.

Who is required to register?

Individuals who have a residence within this Commonwealth or is a transient, or who are employed in this Commonwealth or who are a student in this Commonwealth that were convicted of one or more of the offenses enumerated as either a Tier I, Tier II, Tier III offense, or an offense requiring registration for ten years or life, may be subject to Megan’s Law registration. Certain out-of-state offenders are subject to the registration requirements of Megan's Law.

Who is a "sexual offender" under Megan's Law?

A sexual offender is a person who has been convicted/adjudicated of one or more of the offenses enumerated under offender classification. Please see Crimes Code link on the left navigation bar for additional information about the Megan's Law offenses.

Who is a "Sexually Violent Predator" under Megan's Law?

A Sexually Violent Predator is a sexual offender who has been determined by the Court, after evaluation by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board (link on left navigation bar), to have a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes the person likely to engage in predatory sexually violent offenses. The term includes an individual determined to be a Sexually Violent Predator where the determination occurred in the United States or one of its territories or possessions, another state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a foreign nation or by court martial.

Not all sexual offenders are determined to be Sexually Violent Predators. A Sexually Violent Predator is subject to both the registration and community notification requirements of Megan's Law.
A Sexually Violent Predator is required to register for Life.

Who is a “Sexually Violent Delinquent Child” under Megan’s Law?

A child who has been found to be delinquent for an act of sexual violence which if committed by an adult would be a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121 (relating to rape), 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse), 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault), 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault), 3126 (relating to indecent assault) or 4302 (relating to incest) and who has been determined by the Court to be in need of commitment for involuntary treatment.
A Sexually Violent Delinquent Child is required to register for Life.

Are juveniles required to register?

No. On December 29, 2014, In re: J.B., No.87 MAP 2014, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down SORNA's Juvenile Offender registration requirements as unconstitutional. Juveniles are no longer required to register in Pennsylvania, except if they are classified by the Court as a Sexually Violent Delinquent Child. This decision also includes Juveniles who are to register in another jurisdiction or foreign country.

What is "registration information" under Megan's Law?

In addition to the periodic in-person reporting interval(s), an individual whose offense was committed on or after December 20, 2012 shall appear in-person at an approved Registration or Verification Site within three business days to provide current information or change(s) relating to:

A change in name, including an alias.
A commencement of residence, change in residence, termination of residence or failure to maintain a residence, thus making the individual a transient.
Commencement of employment, a change in the location or entity in which the individual is employed or a termination of employment.
Initial enrollment as a student, a change in enrollment as a student or termination as a student.
An addition and a change in telephone number, including a cell phone number, or a termination of telephone number, including a cell phone number.
An addition, a change in and termination of a motor vehicle owned or operated, including watercraft or aircraft. In order to fulfill the requirements of this paragraph, the individual must provide any license plate numbers and registration numbers and other identifiers and an addition to or change in the address of the place the vehicle is stored.
A commencement of temporary lodging, a change in temporary lodging or a termination of temporary lodging. In order to fulfill the requirements of this paragraph, the individual must provide the specific length of time and the dates during which the individual will be temporarily lodged.
An addition, change in or termination of e-mail address, instant message address or any other designations used in Internet communications or postings.
An addition, change in or termination of information related to occupational and professional licensing, including type of license held and license number.

An individual whose offense was committed before December 20, 2012 has the option of notifying the Pennsylvania State Police of a change to the following information via online form in lieu of an in-person appearance at an approved registration site:

A commencement of residence, change in residence, termination of residence or failure to maintain a residence, thus making the individual a transient.
Commencement of employment, a change in the location or entity in which the individual is employed or a termination of employment.
Initial enrollment as a student, a change in enrollment as a student or termination as a student.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Only individuals whose offense was committed before December 20, 2012 may notify the Pennsylvania State Police of a change to their information via online form. Individuals whose offense was committed on or after December 20, 2012 must continue to appear in-person at an approved registration site to report a change to their information.
If an individual whose offense was committed before December 20, 2012 chooses to notify the Pennsylvania State Police of a change to the information via online form, the updated information must be received by the Pennsylvania State Police Megan’s Law Section within three business days of the change. (Updates which arrive late may result in prosecution under 18 Pa C.S. §4915.2).
If an individual whose offense was committed before December 20, 2012 chooses to notify the Pennsylvania State Police of a change to the information via online form, the change must be reported using the electronic form provided by the Pennsylvania State Police. Click here to complete the form. Follow the directions carefully. Forms which are completed incorrectly may cause a delay resulting in prosecution under 18 Pa C.S. § 4915.2.
This "online form notification" option does not apply to normally required monthly, quarterly, or annual in-person verifications required under 42 Pa. C.S. §9799.60, but rather to changes in between normally scheduled verifications.

Any offender who fails to appear in-person at an approved registration site during their required monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual verification, is subject to prosecution under 18 Pa C.S. § 4915.1 or § 4915.2.

How long is the out-of-state offender required to be registered?

An out-of-state offender whose offense was committed on or after December 20, 2012 is subject to a period of registration that corresponds to their assigned Tier classification. If the out-of-state offender’s conviction for a sexual offense is not enumerated under Tier classification, but nevertheless requires registration under a sexual offender statute in the jurisdiction or foreign country, the offender shall be a Tier I offender and register for the length of time required by the other jurisdiction.

An out-of-state offender whose offense was committed before December 20, 2012 is subject to a period of registration that corresponds to their assigned offender classification. If the out-of-state offender’s conviction for a sexual offense is not enumerated under either a ten-year or lifetime registration classification, but nevertheless requires registration under a sexual offender statute in the jurisdiction or foreign country, the offender shall be required to register for a period of ten years or for the length of time required by the other jurisdiction, whichever is greater.

When is a sexual offender required to initially register?

Sexual offenders whose offense was committed on or after December 20, 2012 are required to register at the time of sentencing. Sexual offenders whose offense was committed before December 20, 2012 can register at the time of sentencing, but are required to register upon release from incarceration or upon commencement of probation or parole. For out-of-state offenders who are subject to registration, they must report to an approved Registration Site and register within three business days of establishing a residence, becoming homeless/transient, becoming employed/carrying on a vocation, and/or attending school in this Commonwealth.

When are registered sexual offenders required to report to a Registration / Verification Site?

Individuals required to register as a sexual offender shall appear in-person at an approved Registration/Verification Site according to their assigned Tier classification.

Tier I offenders – required to appear annually.
Tier II offenders – required to appear semiannually (twice a year).
Tier III offenders – required to appear quarterly (four times a year).
Transient offenders – required to appear monthly.
Sexually Violent Delinquent Child – required to appear quarterly (four times a year).
Sexually Violent Predator– required to appear quarterly (four times a year).
Ten-year registrant – required to appear annually.
Lifetime registrant – required to appear annually.
All Sexual Offenders, Sexually Violent Predators and Sexually Violent Delinquent Children must report any change in registration information within three business days.

Where does a sexual offender go to register or update their information?

A list of all approved Registration/Verification sites in Pennsylvania is located under the “Community Tools” menu at the top of the page.

Prior to going to a Registration / Verification site, please contact the site by telephone to ensure that the site is open for public use.

Does a natural disaster relieve a sexual offender from their responsibility to register?

The occurrence of a natural disaster or other event requiring evacuation of residences shall not relieve an individual of the duty to register or any other duty imposed by this chapter.

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COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION

What is "active community notification" under Megan's Law?

Active community notification is the process by which the community's chief law enforcement officer notifies the community of the presence of a Sexually Violent Predator/Sexual Violent Delinquent Child. The chief law enforcement officer notifies the community using a community notification flyer.

Who is subject to active community notification?

Only Sexually Violent Predators, Sexually Violent Delinquent Children and individuals convicted in another state where the notification requirement is a result of that conviction, are subject to the community notification requirements of Megan's Law.

What information is contained on the community notification flyers?

The community notification flyers contain the following information about Sexually Violent Predators or out-of-state offenders:

Name
Address or addresses at which they reside.
Offense committed
Statement that they have been determined by a court order to be a Sexually Violent Predator or a statement that they are subject to community notification by another state
Photograph

To whom is community notification provided under Megan's Law?

Notice of the Sexually Violent Predator's or a Sexually Violent Delinquent Child’s presence in the community is provided to the neighbors of the Sexually Violent Predator or out-of-state offender. Those persons who live or work within 250 feet of Sexually Violent Predator's or a Sexually Violent Delinquent Child’s residence or the 25 most immediate residences and places of employment in proximity to the predator's or offender's residence, whichever is greater.

In the case if a homeless/transient Sexually Violent Predator or homeless/transient Sexually Violent Delinquent Child, notice is given to those persons who live or work within 250 feet of the Sexually Violent Predator or Sexually Violent Delinquent Child's transient location or the 25 most immediate residences and places of employment in proximity to the Sexually Violent Predator or Sexually Violent Delinquent Child's transient location, whichever is greater.

Notice is also provided to:

The director of the county children and youth service agency of the county where the predator or offender resides or is homeless/transient;
The superintendent of each school district and the equivalent official for private and parochial schools enrolling students up through grade 12 in the municipality where the predator or offender resides or is homeless/transient;
The superintendent of each school district and the equivalent official for private and parochial schools located within a one-mile radius of where the predator or offender resides or is homeless/transient
The licensee of each certified day care center and licensed preschool program and owner/operator of each registered family day care home in the municipality where the predator or offender resides or is homeless/transient; and
The president of each college, university and community college located within 1,000 feet of where the predator or offender resides or is homeless/transient.

Notice concerning Sexually Violent Predators and Sexually Violent Delinquent Children subject to active community notification is also available by request to the Pennsylvania State Police, Megan's Law Section at 1-866-771-3170.

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VICTIM NOTIFICATION

Is the victim of a sexual offender entitled to notification?

Only the victim of an offense committed by a Sexually Violent Predator/Sexually Violent Delinquent Child is entitled to written notice when the Sexually Violent Predator/Sexually Violent Delinquent Child completes their initial registration and when the Sexually Violent Predator/Sexually Violent Delinquent Child notifies the Pennsylvania State Police of any change in residence or becomes homeless/transient. The notice will contain the Sexually Violent Predator's/Sexually Violent Delinquent Child's name and address or addresses where they reside. The victim is also entitled to notice of the Sexually Violent Predator's/Sexually Violent Delinquent Child's release from incarceration under the Pennsylvania Crime Victims Act, 18 P.S. § 11.101 et seq.

The victim of an offense enumerated in 42 Pa. C. S. § 9799.14 or § 9799.55 is entitled to that notice afforded under the Pennsylvania Crime Victims Act, 18 P.S. § 11.101, et seq.

More information on the rights of crime victims is available by contacting Pennsylvania's Office of Victim Advocate at 1-800-563-6399 or visiting their website (http://www.ova.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/office_of_victim_advocate/5073/)

Additional informational offered by the Pennsylvania State Police on e-mail alerts for registered sexual offenders can be obtained below under the EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS section.

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OUT-OF-STATE OFFENDERS

Does Megan's Law apply to out-of-state offenders?

Yes. Megan's Law applies to certain out-of-state sexual offenders and Sexually Violent Predators/Sexually Violent Delinquent Children who reside, are homeless/transient, work/carry on a vocation, or attend school in Pennsylvania.

What is the registration applicability for an out-of-state offender?

The registration process shall occur for an out-of-state offender if one of the following criteria are met:

An out-of-state offender shall be subject to sexual offender registration in Pennsylvania if he/she has been convicted of or court martialed for a comparable military offense or similar offense under the laws of another jurisdiction or foreign country that if it were committed in this Commonwealth, would require registration. i.e. – conviction of a similar offense enumerated under offender classification.
An out-of-state offender shall be subject to sexual offender registration in Pennsylvania if he/she has been convicted of, been adjudicated for or court martialed for a sexual offense in another jurisdiction or foreign country that is not set forth in under offender classification, but nevertheless requires registration under a sexual offender statue in the jurisdiction or foreign country. i.e. – is required to register as a sexual offender in another state.

When must the out-of-state offender register?

An out-of-state offender must report in-person to an approved Registration/Verification Site to register within three business days of establishing a residence, becoming homeless/transient, becoming employed or enrolling in school as a student in Pennsylvania.

How can I find out if a sexual offender is residing in my community?

Information on all registered offenders who reside, are homeless/transient, work or attend school in Pennsylvania will be available on this website maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police, Megan's Law Section.

What if a registered sexual offender in Pennsylvania establishes a new residence, becomes homeless/transient, becomes employed or begins attending school in another jurisdiction?

The registered sexual offender must report in-person to a Registration / Verification site within three business days to report the new information to the Pennsylvania State Police. The registered sexual offender must also register the new information with sexual offender registry in the other state/jurisdiction.

The Pennsylvania State Police will then notify the state agency charged with maintaining the sexual offender registry in the state that the registered sexual offender now resides, is homeless/transient, works or attends school.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Individuals whose offense was committed before December 20, 2012 may notify the Pennsylvania State Police of a change to their information via online form. Individuals whose offense was committed on or after December 20, 2012 must continue to appear in-person at an approved registration site to report a change to their information.
If an individual whose offense was committed before December 20, 2012 chooses to notify the Pennsylvania State Police of a change to the information via online form, the updated information must be received by the Pennsylvania State Police Megan’s Law Section within three business days of the change. (Updates which arrive late may result in prosecution under 18 Pa C.S. §4915.2).
If an individual whose offense was committed before December 20, 2012 chooses to notify the Pennsylvania State Police of a change to the information via online form, the change must be reported using the electronic form provided by the Pennsylvania State Police. Click here to complete the form. Follow the directions carefully. Forms which are completed incorrectly may cause a delay resulting in prosecution under 18 Pa C.S. § 4915.2.
This "online form notification" option does not apply to normally required monthly, quarterly, or annual in-person verifications required under 42 Pa. C.S. §9799.60, but rather to changes in between normally scheduled verifications.

Any offender who fails to appear in-person at an approved registration site during their required monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual verification, are is subject to prosecution under 18 Pa C.S. § 4915.1 or § 4915.2.

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VERIFICATION

How does the Pennsylvania State Police determine if registered offenders are reporting their change of addresses?

For sexual offenders excluding homeless/transient sexual offenders, the Pennsylvania State Police verifies the registrants' addresses through an address verification process which occurs in accordance with their required reporting frequency and their corresponding initial registration date. The sexual offender must appear in-person at an approved Registration/Verification Site to complete a verification form and to be photographed.

For homeless/transient sexual offenders, homeless/transient Sexually Violent Predators, or homeless/transient Sexually Violent Delinquent Children the Pennsylvania State Police verifies the registrant’s temporary habitat or other temporary place of abode or dwelling, including, but not limited to, a homeless shelter or park, where the individual is lodged. This is done through a verification process which is done monthly. The sexual offender must appear in-person at an approved Registration/Verification site monthly to complete a verification form and to be photographed. Once the transient offender establishes a permanent residence, the verification requirement reverts back to their original verification period.

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PENALTIES

What happens if a sexual offender refuses to comply with Megan's Law?

Pennsylvania provides criminal penalties for sexual offenders who refuse to comply with Megan's Law.

Tier I offenders – Felony of the third degree.
Tier II offenders – Felony of the second degree.
Tier III offenders – Felony of the second degree.
Ten-year registrants-Felony of the third degree.
Lifetime registrants-Felony of the second degree.
Sexually Violent Delinquent Children – Felony of the second degree.
Sexually Violent Predators – Felony of the second degree.
The grade of offense increases with a subsequent conviction.

What happens if a sexual offender provides inaccurate information when they register or update/verify their information?

Pennsylvania provides criminal penalties for sexual offenders who provide inaccurate information when they register or update/verify their information.

Tier I offenders – Felony of the second degree.
Tier II offenders – Felony of the first degree.
Tier III offenders – Felony of the first degree.
Ten-year registrants-Felony of the second degree.
Lifetime registrants-Felony of the first degree.
Sexually Violent Delinquent Children – Felony of the first degree.
Sexually Violent Predators – Felony of the first degree.
Sexual offenders should check their information prior to leaving the approved registration/verification site for accuracy.

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SAFETY

Where can I get information on protecting myself or my children?

You may contact your local law enforcement office or your county children and youth agency. Additional links are provided on the left navigation bar.

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EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS

Are there other methods for obtaining information on registered Pennsylvania sexual offenders offered by the Pennsylvania State Police?

Yes, individuals can sign-up for electronic notification through this website wherein e-mail notification will be sent to the recipient notifying them when a sexual offender, Sexually Violent Predator or Sexually Violent Delinquent Child moves, into or out of, becomes employed or terminates employment, or attends school or terminates school, in a radius of up to five miles around a designated address.

How can I monitor / track a specific sexual offender?

Prior to being able to monitor / track a specific offender, you must first have an account set up with this site. Please refer to the above instructions to sign-up for a new account. Once you have an account and are signed into it, you can begin to monitor / track a specific sexual offender by searching for the specific offender on this website. After locating the offender “click” on the icon that is labeled “track / monitor this offender.” The icon is located just to the right and below the offender’s photo on the physical description tab.

How do I sign-up for a new account?

Click on “Community Tools”, “Email Notifications”. Click on “New User Sign Up” and complete the mandatory fields (indicated by a red asterisk *).

How do I log into the Electronic Notification System after my account has been activated?

Insert your account e-mail address in the “E-mail Address” field in the Login section of the Electronic Notifications page. Type in your account password in the “Password” field and click the “Login” button. You will then be taken to your profile page.

What addresses can I choose for notifications?

You may choose up to five addresses that you would like as long as they are in Pennsylvania. Your home, your child’s school or your local playground are just a few examples of locations you may want to monitor. Use the address or addresses that are most important to you.

How do I remove an address from my account?

From the Home Page click on “Community Tools”, “Email Notifications” and Login to your account. To delete an address click on the “delete” link next to the appropriate address. A dialog box will appear, click on “OK” to confirm the deletion.

How will you notify me?

Our service uses email as a primary notification mechanism. If you don't have an email address, we DO NOT send direct mail or text information at this time.

I moved, how do I change my address?

You can log into your account using your username and password. From there you can modify your address by selecting “Edit”. Make any corrections to the address and select ‘Update”. Your changes will be saved.

What is the “Address Name”?

The address Name is a label that you are giving to that specific address. For instance, you may use “home” for your home address and “school” for the address of your child's school.

How often do you update?

We update our site daily and emails are sent out daily.

What is a "non-mappable" offender?

A "non-mappable" offender means that "Google" cannot map the address sufficiently. We may not have a full address for the offender or our "Geocoder" does not recognize the address.

Why are the maps not showing my area?

We currently get our maps from "Google Maps". They update every 6 months or so. We update when they do. So if you live on a new street or addition, they might not have you on their maps.

When will the Pennsylvania Electronic Notification System send me e-mail messages?

The Notification System will immediately send you an account activation e-mail when you open a new account. Once you have activated your account and entered all of the addresses you wish to monitor, the system will send you emails when an offender or sexually violent predator updates their Pennsylvania residence, employment, or school information within the designated radius of the address you selected. In the case of a homeless/transient sexual offender or homeless/transient sexually violent predator, the system will send you emails when the offender updates their Pennsylvania mailing address, employment, or school information within the designated radius of the addresses you selected.

Note: the system will not notify you of all the registered offenders within your area, only those individuals who update their addresses within your area after the address has been inserted into the system. In addition, the system may not notify you if the offender’s address is not able to be mapped with the Google mapping service. To obtain a listing of all offenders around your addresses of interest please use the Mile Radius Search tool. .

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