Jacksonville Sex Offender Registry

Jacksonville sex offenders are registered and tracked by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, which operates as both the city police department and the Duval County sheriff under Florida's only fully consolidated city-county government. All sex offenders living anywhere in Jacksonville must report to JSO within 48 hours of establishing a residence, and the public can search the full Jacksonville registry through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement database or the city's own open data portal. Registration requirements apply equally across city neighborhoods and unincorporated areas of Duval County, with no separate intake process depending on where in Jacksonville a person lives.

Where to Register in Jacksonville

Jacksonville residents required to register as sex offenders or predators do so at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office main facility in downtown Jacksonville. Because Jacksonville and Duval County share a single consolidated government, there is no separate county sheriff to deal with. The JSO is the only agency you report to, regardless of which part of the city you live in.

The 501 E Bay Street address puts you in the heart of downtown Jacksonville near the St. Johns River. Plan for parking, since street spots fill up during business hours. There are several paid garages within a short walk. Allow enough time for the intake process, which typically runs 30 to 60 minutes on a first visit. Bring valid government-issued photo ID and any court paperwork tied to the conviction. The JSO does not accept paperwork by mail or online for initial registration.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office serves as both the city police and county sheriff for Duval County, handling all sex offender registration for Jacksonville. JSO's consolidated structure means residents register at the same office regardless of whether they live in a city neighborhood or unincorporated Duval County. This is different from most Florida cities, where residents would register with a county sheriff separate from the city police department.

Jacksonville Sex Offender Registration Requirements

Florida law governs sex offender registration in Jacksonville. The core rules come from Florida Statute § 943.0435, which sets out who must register, how often, and what information must be provided. Jacksonville residents subject to this statute face the same requirements as offenders anywhere else in Florida, with JSO acting as the local enforcement point.

The 48-hour rule applies at every stage. When a person is first convicted of a qualifying sexual offense, or when they are released from custody after such a conviction, they must report to the county sheriff in person within 48 hours. The same 48-hour window applies when moving into Jacksonville from another county or state, and when any registered information changes, including address, vehicle, email, or social media accounts.

Re-registration schedules differ by classification. Standard sex offenders must report in person twice per year at minimum. Those whose underlying conviction carries a more serious classification must report four times per year. The JSO will tell registrants their specific schedule at initial intake.

Transient offenders, meaning people with no fixed address, face a stricter rule. They must report to JSO every 30 days to confirm their current situation. Jacksonville has a sizable transient population, and JSO tracks these individuals through the 30-day check-in process. Failing to appear at any scheduled re-registration is a felony under Florida law. There is no grace period.

Registration in Florida is a lifetime obligation for most qualifying offenders. Some individuals may petition for removal under limited circumstances, but the process is not automatic and requires a court order. Most Jacksonville registrants remain on the public registry indefinitely.

Sexual Predators in Jacksonville

Florida law draws a clear line between sex offenders and sexual predators. Sexual predators are subject to stricter requirements under Florida Statute § 775.21, which is known as the Florida Sexual Predators Act. In Jacksonville, predators report to JSO four times per year rather than twice, and they face more aggressive community notification requirements.

When a sexual predator moves into Jacksonville, the law requires active notification to the surrounding community. JSO notifies nearby neighbors, local schools, childcare providers, and other community organizations. This goes beyond the passive availability of information on the public registry. The community gets an active alert, not just the ability to search online.

Predator status is assigned by the courts at sentencing or by FDLE based on the nature of the offense. Someone convicted of certain serious sexual crimes against minors, or repeat sexual offenders, will typically be classified as a predator rather than a standard offender. The public registry at FDLE's search tool clearly labels predators so anyone searching can see the classification at a glance.

Search Jacksonville Sex Offenders Online

Several tools let you search for registered sex offenders in Jacksonville. The most direct local option is the Jacksonville open data portal at data.jacksonville.com/sex-offenders/duval/. This tool pulls current JSO registration data and lets you filter by name or address. It is a quick starting point.

For the most complete and current data, use the FDLE sex offender search. You can search by name, city, ZIP code, or county. The FDLE database includes photos, physical descriptions, offense history, vehicle information, and current address for all registered individuals in Florida. To find Jacksonville-specific results, enter "Jacksonville" in the city field or use a local ZIP code to narrow the area. The FDLE updates the database regularly as new registrations and changes come in from JSO.

You can also set up automatic alerts through Florida Offender Alert. This free service sends email notifications whenever a sex offender or predator registers or updates their information within a distance you set from your home address. You pick the radius, and the system does the rest. For families with children or anyone wanting ongoing awareness, this is a practical tool that does not require repeated manual searches.

Residency Restrictions in Jacksonville

Florida's residency restriction law, § 775.215, prohibits certain sex offenders and all sexual predators from living within 1,000 feet of any school, licensed daycare facility, park, playground, or other location where children regularly gather. Jacksonville, as the largest city by land area in the contiguous United States, covers a vast geography, but schools, parks, and childcare centers are spread throughout the city. Finding compliant housing is a real challenge, particularly in denser neighborhoods.

The 1,000-foot measurement runs from the property boundary of the prohibited location, not from the front door of a home or the front entrance of a school. This means a residence close to a school property line may be non-compliant even if it looks distant from the building itself. Anyone subject to these restrictions should verify distances carefully before signing a lease or making any housing commitment.

If a school or park opens near an existing registered address after a person moves in, the offender must relocate. The restriction follows the person, not the address. Jacksonville does not currently impose additional city ordinances beyond the state minimum, but offenders and their families should confirm current local rules with JSO at (904) 630-0500 or consult with a licensed Florida attorney.

JSO Registration Resources

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office serves as both the city police and county sheriff for Duval County, handling all sex offender registration for Jacksonville.

JSO's consolidated structure means residents register at the same office regardless of whether they live in a city neighborhood or unincorporated Duval County.

FDLE Statewide Database

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains the official statewide sex offender registry, which includes all Jacksonville registrations submitted by JSO. The FDLE database is the authoritative public source for offender information across all 67 Florida counties.

Use the FDLE search tool to find current registry data for Jacksonville and the rest of Florida. Searches by name, ZIP code, or city return results with photos, addresses, and offense details.

Florida Offender Alert

The Florida Offender Alert system is a free email notification service that lets Jacksonville residents get alerts when a registered sex offender or predator moves into or near their neighborhood. You register your address and choose a search radius. When any qualifying registration update occurs within that area, you get an email.

This service is run through the FDLE and is available to any Florida resident at no cost. It is a useful supplement to manual registry searches, especially for people who want ongoing awareness without checking the registry every few weeks. Schools and community organizations can also sign up to receive notifications relevant to their locations.

Duval County Sex Offender Records

Jacksonville is in Duval County, and all sex offender registrations in the city go through the same consolidated JSO system that serves the entire county. For full details on Duval County's registration process, sheriff contact information, and county-wide registry resources, visit the Duval County sex offender records page.

View Duval County Sex Offender Records

Nearby Florida Cities

Sex offender registration requirements are the same across Florida, but each city's registrants report to the sheriff's office in their county. Find registry information for other major Florida cities below.