Information Contained in the Texas Sex Offender List

In accordance with the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Act, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains a publicly-accessible Texas sex offender database at http://records.txdps.state.tx.us/. The DPS sex offender registration database is available to the public as a means of promoting safety from sexual predators.

However, since September 1, 1999, the Texas legislature has prohibited specific information, such as a registrant’s phone number, driver's license number, social security number, or any information required by the DPS for law enforcement, from being disclosed. The website releases as much information as is permitted by law. The Crime Records Service does not allow additional information to be released.

Viewing the Texas Sex Offender List

Citizens of Texas can access the Texas sex offender list by visiting the DPS website. To search for offenders in Texas, one should go to https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/SorNew/index.aspx. Users can search for sex offenders by the name of the offender or by address, zip code, or county. The website also provides a mapping feature which graphically displays the locations where sex offenders are residing. Searching the public Texas sex offender database is free and requires no registration or signup. Users can simply click on "Search" in the sex offender section.

Those with other questions regarding Texas sex offender registration can send an e-mail to AFIS_CJIS@txdps.state.tx.us, or write to:

Sex Offender Registration
Crime Records Service
Texas Department of Public Safety
PO Box 4143
Austin, Texas 78765-4143

The general public can report errors in the sex offender registration database to the verification agency listed with the record that contains erroneous information. The public sex offender registry can be downloaded free of charge; however, if a user downloads the sex offender registry, his or her name will appear on the website of the Crime Records Service.

The Texas attorney general’s office provides information about fugitive sex offenders who are considered to be child predators. This information is useful for background checks before hiring new employees for jobs that involve contact with children, like at day cares or schools. This information can be accessed via the following links:

http://www.oag.state.tx.us/criminal/cj_fugitives/cj_fugitive_all.php?start=A&end=H
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/criminal/cj_fugitives/cj_fugitive_all.php?start=H&end=Q
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/criminal/cj_fugitives/cj_fugitive_all.php?start=Q&end=Z

The details of the latest reported fugitives can be found at http://www.oag.state.tx.us/criminal/cj_fugitives/cj_fugitive_all.php?newer=Latest.

Laws Regarding Registration of Sex Offenders

Registrants may appear on the Texas sex offender list for a duration of 10 years to life; the length depends on the severity of the individual's sexual offense.

Any individual convicted of sexual offenses must register as an offender, providing information such as his or her names, aliases, gender, date of birth, address, height, weight, hair color, eye color, phone numbers, social security number, details of any vehicles that he she may be driving, identification marks, scars, tattoos, and any other details that may help identify the offender.

The offender's registered address is verified by the law enforcement agency as the last reported address. The registrant must report any change of information, such as change of address, change of school in Texas, or change of place of employment in Texas. The Texas sex offender list should be updated with current and accurate information; it is the duty of the offender to keep his or her information updated. Non-compliance with Texas law regarding registration will result in further penalties.