Registering as a sex offender

If a person is convicted or cautioned in relation to a specific sexual offence, or has committed a sexual offence but has been found not guilty due to insanity or disability, they will become a subject of the Sex Offenders’ Register.

How to register

The initial registration as a sex offender must be made in person at a specified police station within three days of the caution, conviction or finding, or within three days of their release from custody or any other form of detention.

The registered sex offender is required to provide:

current name and aliases being used
date of birth
home address – their main residence or any premises in the UK where they regularly stay
details of any residence with a child
national insurance number
passport
bank account and credit card details

Requirements of the sex offenders register

Registered sex offenders must notify the police:

of any change to the name and address already registered, within three days of the change
of any address where they reside or stay for seven days or longer
of any intended foreign travel no less than seven days before departure
if they have remained for at least 12 hours at a household or other private place where an under 18 year old stays
of their release from detention in a prison, service detention or a hospital

At least once every 12 months, sex offenders must confirm the details held on them are correct.

If a person is outside the UK, in prison, or detained in a hospital on that date, they must confirm their details within three days of their return/release.

To make a notification as a registered sex offender, you must visit a specified police station.

Details required when making a notification

You are required to provide the following details each time you make a notification:

passport
credit card and bank account details
your national insurance number

Concerns about a child sex offender

If you are concerned someone may have been convicted of a sex offence and could pose a risk to someone, you may be able to apply for a disclosure of information through Sarah’s Law.