Coverage beyond a single state
Bring records from state, territorial, and tribal registries into a consistent review workflow. Keep the jurisdiction and official source attached to the result.
NATIONWIDE REGISTRY SCREENING
Sex Offender Background Check Nationwide. Ready for Review.
Search nationwide sex offender registries by name and date of birth. Review source-linked matches in the Dashboard, or bring checks into your workflow with our API.
184U.S. registry jurisdictions
900K+Registry records
Official sourcesReferences for record review
One Review Workflow
How to Run a Sex Offender Background Check
A sex offender background check searches public sex offender registries for records that may match a person's identifying information. Offenders.io brings nationwide registry screening into one workflow, with source references that help your team review potential matches.
- 1
Enter the information you have
Start with a first and last name. Add an available date of birth and location details to help focus the search.
- 2
Search nationwide registry records
Run the check in the Dashboard, send a request through the API, or use Batch Processing for a list of names.
- 3
Review the match and its source
Compare the candidate record with the person's available information. Open the official registry reference to review the source and relevant details.
Review the Evidence
What Does a Sex Offender Background Check Show?
See the information behind a potential match. Offenders.io organizes registry records so reviewers can compare identifying details, understand the registration context, and follow the result back to its official source.
Use the details together when reviewing a candidate match. Names alone can overlap, and source records may provide a full date of birth, a partial date, or no date of birth.
See Search API fields →What a result can include
Available fields vary by jurisdiction and source. A record may include:
- Identity
- Name, aliases, date of birth, and physical description
- Location
- Reported address and registry jurisdiction
- Registry details
- Registration status, offense information, and classifications where supplied
- Source references
- Official registry links for checking the underlying record
- Additional context
- Available update information and jurisdiction-specific detail
Nationwide Registry Coverage
Nationwide Coverage. Official Registry Sources.
Search 900K+ records across 184 U.S. registry jurisdictions spanning all 50 states, DC, U.S. territories, and tribal jurisdictions.
Continuously synchronized data
Standard Search uses continuously synchronized registry data. Published information and update timing vary by jurisdiction.
Live lookups with Extensive Mode
Extensive Mode performs live registry lookups where available and can return additional jurisdiction-specific detail. Availability and pricing vary by mode and source.
Choose Your Access Path
Run One Check or Build Screening Into Your Product
Choose the access path that fits how your team reviews records.
Dashboard
Run a name-based search, inspect candidate records, and open source references through a no-code interface. Use your Offenders.io account to get started.
Open Search Dashboard →REST API
Add a sex offender background check API to your application with documented JSON requests and structured responses. Support repeatable registry screening inside your existing product.
Read API Docs →Batch Processing
Upload a CSV for list-based registry screening. Review the returned matches as part of your team's existing process.
Explore Batch Processing →Start with 50 free API requests each month. After the free allowance, standard API requests are $0.20 each for the next 2,000 and $0.15 each thereafter. Additional mode charges may apply. See current plans and pricing.
For Organizations
Screening for Organizations and Platforms
Connect registry screening to the review process and access requirements for your use case.
Visitor and platform workflows
Bring registry checks into visitor-management tools and other approved organizational workflows. Give reviewers structured records and official source references in the systems they use.
Discuss your workflow →Employment, volunteer, and housing screening
CRA and Enterprise partners can request separately enabled FCRA Partner Access for approved screening workflows. Access requires review, a written agreement, and an approved scope.
Standard self-service access returns candidate public registry records and is not a consumer-reporting service. Standard results must not be used alone for employment, housing, or other regulated eligibility decisions.
Explore FCRA Partner Access →Healthcare and skilled nursing
Support approved admissions and healthcare workflows through Enterprise access. HIPAA-enabled use requires an approved configuration and a separately executed BAA; PHI belongs only in that approved workflow.
Explore Skilled Nursing Screening →Operational Confidence
Security Evidence Your Team Can Review
Review the documentation behind the service. Qualified customers can request the independent CPA SOC 2 Type II report and penetration test report through our Trust Portal. Offenders.io provides a 99.9% service availability SLA, with public service status available for operational review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sex Offender Background Check FAQ
Answers about registry coverage, review, access, and pricing.
How do I run a sex offender background check?
Open the Offenders.io Search Dashboard and enter the person's name, adding a date of birth or location information when available. Review potential matches and their official source references. Businesses can also connect through the REST API or use Batch Processing for lists.
Is there a national sex offender background check?
Nationwide registry screening searches across participating U.S. jurisdictions. Offenders.io covers 184 registry jurisdictions spanning all 50 states, DC, U.S. territories, and tribal jurisdictions. The U.S. Department of Justice also provides the free National Sex Offender Public Website, which searches participating public registries.
Can I search by name and date of birth?
Yes. Name and date-of-birth information can help focus a registry search. Source records may contain full, partial, or missing birth dates, so review the available identifying details together when assessing a potential match.
How long does a check take?
Standard API searches have a published average response time below 200 milliseconds. Extensive Mode depends on live-source availability and can take longer. API response time describes the search response; it does not include your team's review of a potential match.
How current is the registry data?
Standard data is continuously synchronized. Extensive Mode performs live registry lookups where available. Source availability and update timing vary by jurisdiction, so review the source information returned with a result.
Can I try it for free?
The first 50 API requests each month are free. Review current plans for usage pricing and additional mode charges. Approved FCRA-regulated and HIPAA workflows require separate arrangements.
Does a sex offender check include all criminal records?
A sex offender registry check searches registry information, including offense details published with a registration. It does not provide a comprehensive search of county, state, or federal criminal court records. Broader background screening may include those additional searches.
Does a result with no matches mean a person is cleared?
No. It means the search returned no matching records for the supplied information and available sources. It is not an identity confirmation or a guarantee that no relevant record exists.
Can I use it for employment screening?
FCRA-regulated employment screening is available through separately approved FCRA Partner Access, subject to a written agreement and approved scope. Standard self-service access is not a consumer-reporting service and must not be used alone for regulated eligibility decisions.
Run Your First Sex Offender Registry Check
Open the Dashboard for an individual search, or explore API plans to bring nationwide registry checks into your workflow.