Frequently Asked Questions


  • Q: Where do individuals required to register as a sex offender in Missouri register?
  • A: The registration official is the chief law enforcement official of the county, typically the Sheriff, except for the St. Louis City Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department, and the St. Charles County Police Department. 589.404 RSMo.

  • Q: If an individual was required to register in a jurisdiction other than Missouri due to a non-Missouri offense and no longer has an obligation to register in that jurisdiction, is the individual required to register in Missouri?
  • A: Yes. Any person who is a resident of this state who has been or is required to register in another state/jurisdiction is required to register in Missouri regardless of the current obligation in the other jurisdiction.

  • Q: What should an individual required to register do when an Address Verification Letter is received and what if the letter is not received?
  • A: The letter is to be provided to the registration official at the individual's next in-person registration. If the registrant does not receive a letter, the individual may call the Missouri Sex Offender Registry (573) 526-6348.

  • Q: How are tiers determined for registered sex offenders in Missouri?
  • A: Tiers are outlined in Section 589.414 RSMo. The registration official will review the registrant's offense and applicable information and assign the tier.

  • Q: Do registered sex offender in Missouri have restriction requirements?
  • A: Yes. Restrictions are outlined below. Please contact the registration official for further information.
    • 566.147 Certain offenders not to reside within one thousand feet of a property line of a school, child care facility, or victim's residence.
    • 566.148 Certain offenders not to physically be present or loiter within five hundred feet of a child care facility.
    • 566.149 Certain offenders not to be present within five hundred feet of school property.
    • 566.150 Certain offenders not to be present or loiter within five hundred feet of a public park, swimming pool, athletic complex, museum, or nature center.
    • 566.155 Certain offenders not to serve as athletic coaches, manager, or trainers.
    • 589.426 Halloween, restrictions on conduct.

  • Q: Can a registrant be around/reside within the same residence as children?
  • A: In addition to the restrictions as listed above, offenders may have some restrictions imposed by the court or by a registrant's probation or parole officer that are not otherwise listed in statute. Contact the registration official for further confirmation. If a crime is believed to have occurred, please contact local law enforcement.

  • Q: Are there restrictions on offenders using social media?
  • A: Yes. A registrant must report any email addresses, instant messaging addresses, and any other designations use in internet connections, postings, or telephone communications to their registration official. 589.414 RSMo.

  • Q: How does a registrant get removed from the registry, is it automatic? Can registrants be removed?
  • A: Missouri is a petition-based removal state. Registration requirements do not automatically expire upon the first eligible date. The petition process is outlined in Section 589.401 RSMo.

  • Q: If an individual's employment necessitates temporary travel to Missouri for work-related activities, is there a requirement to register in Missouri?
  • A: Section 589.400 RSMo., paragraph 11 addresses the number of days/nights that an individual can stay in Missouri before having to register.

  • Q: How should information about a non-compliant offender or absconder be handled?
  • A: Please contact the registration official for the offender and report the information.

  • Q: Where should incorrect or missing offender information be reported?
  • A: Incorrect website information or missing information may be reported to the registration official where the offender resides, or be reported to the Missouri Sex Offender Registry's public email account at [email protected] to be forwarded to the appropriate registration official.