Frequently Asked Questions

The new website platform for the Iowa Sex Offender Registry Website came with some changes, most notably, the previous website used Enterprise A&A for user accounts, and our new website uses Okta. As a result, you will need to create an Okta account by clicking on the “Okta Help” tab at the top of the Home Page or by visiting https://helpid.iowa.gov/. 

After logging in with your new account, you will be offered the option to link your old Enterprise A&A account with your Okta account under the Notifications/Watches tab. This will transfer your notifications and watches to your new profile and allow you to manage your account and password.

The website updates daily, as often as every 30 minutes Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

The website is only updated based on information obtained by law enforcement. However, members of the general public are encouraged to contact the Iowa Sex Offender Registry to report discrepancies or information about an offender.

Information found on the IA SOR website is public information and is provided for purposes of protecting the public, increasing awareness and keeping the public informed. However, use and/or misuse of this information to commit criminal acts against these individuals, including but not limited to, vandalism of property, verbal or written threats of harm, stalking, harassment, or physical assault against these subjects, their families or employers, can result in arrest and prosecution.

Contact your local law enforcement agency or submit a tip by navigating to "Contact Us" on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry website.

A full list of penalties can be located in Iowa Code 692A.111 Failure to comply - penalty.

The Iowa Sex Offender Registry follows the guidelines and definitions listed in Iowa Code 692A.101(7) Definitions and Iowa Code 692A.103 Offenders required to register.

Even if an offender's conviction information is expunged, the offender still has to fulfill their obligation to register with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry.

Those convicted of a qualifying offense must register, regardless of whether the conviction was a misdemeanor or a felony. For additional details, see Iowa Code 692A.103 Offenders required to register.

The Most Wanted page is a list of registrants in a non-compliant status with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry and have an active arrest warrant on file. If you have information about those on the Most Wanted page you should contact Iowa Department of Public Safety or your local law enforcement officials.

The Iowa Sex Offender Registry follows the definition of residence as stated in Iowa Code 692A.101(20) Definitions.

Sex Offenders with residency restrictions shall not reside within two thousand feet of the real property comprising a school or childcare facility. Residency Restrictions are for offenders with an "aggravated offense against a minor" as defined in Iowa Code 692A.101(2) Definitions. Iowa Code 692A.114 Residency restrictions - presence - child care facilities and schools will provide details on requirements and exceptions to residency restrictions.

Employment Restrictions are defined in Iowa Codes 692A.113 Exclusion zones and prohibition of certain employment-related activities and 692A.115 Employment where dependent adults reside.

Exclusion Zones are defined in Iowa Code 692A.113 Exclusion zones and prohibition of certain employment-related activities.

The definition for loitering can be found in Iowa Code 692A.101(17) Definitions.

This designation means law enforcement has confirmed the offender is no longer at their registered address, and has failed to register a new address as required by Iowa law.

In adherence to Iowa Code 692A.121 Availability of records, the public can request additional information from their local Sheriffs office.

The Iowa Sex Offender Registry adheres to the registration terms outlined in Iowa Code 692A.106 Duration of registration.

Iowa Code 692A outlines persons who are required to register in the state of Iowa.  Registration commences in accordance with Iowa Code 692A.103 Offenders required to register.  The Iowa Sex Offender Registry will publish data based on the guidelines within Iowa Code 692A.121 Availability of records.

A person may not be found on the website for any of the following reasons:

• The person successfully completed his/her required registration period.
• It has been determined that the person's offense does not require registration.
• The person is deceased.
• The person's conviction was "reversed or otherwise set aside" in a court of law.
• The person is no longer residing, working or attending school in Iowa.
• The person has petitioned for modification and has been released from his/her registration requirement,
• The person's registration requirements were later waived/modified by the Juvenile Court as allowed under Iowa law.
• The person is currently incarcerated.

The Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website—administered by the Department of Justice—enables everyone to search the latest information on the identities and locations of registered sex offenders from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Indian Country.

Restrictions for registrants being around children can be located in Iowa Codes 692A.113 Exclusion zones and prohibition of certain employment-related activities and 726.6 Child Endangerment.

Juveniles are registered according to Iowa Code 692A.103 Offenders required to register.

The Iowa Department of Corrections completes registrations for offenders prior to their release from correction facilities. All other registrations are completed at Sheriff's Offices.

The county Sheriff's Offices forward information to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Sex Offender Registry (SOR). The SOR maintains a central file and database.

This type of notification is not required. However, the email notification service on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry website is provided to the public for that purpose. You can set up a "watch" using your address (or any other address that is important to you) with a radius, and you will receive email notices each time a registered sex offender moves into, out of, or within that area. You may create watches based on your city, county, zip code, a specific registrant, or group of registrants.

Iowa Sex Offender Registry adheres to the registration requirements outlined in Iowa Code 692A.103 Offenders required to register.

All offenses requiring registration are outlined in Iowa Code 692A.102 Sex offense classifications.

Tier levels are classified by the guidelines listed in Iowa Codes 692A.102 Sex offense classifications and 692A.108 Verification of relevant information.

Offenders who reside in Iowa, whether moving in or visiting, have (5) days to register with the Sheriff's Office in the county of which they will be located per requirements outlined in Iowa Code 692A.104 Registration process.

The guidelines for registering as a sex offender in Iowa are located in Iowa Code 692A.104 Registration process.

The guidelines for the verification process in Iowa are located in Iowa Code 692A.108 Verification of relevant information.

Offenders have (5) business days to report residence changes in person at their local Sheriff's Office. Full guidelines on registration are documented in Iowa Code 692A.104 Registration process.

Offenders have (5) business days to report residence changes in person at their local Sheriff's Office. Full guidelines for out of state moves are located in Iowa Codes 692A.104 Registration process and 692A.106 Duration of registration.

Residency restrictions only apply to those convicted of an aggravated offense against a minor as defined in Iowa Code 692A.101(2) Definitions.

Iowa Chapter 692A, Sex Offender Registry, does not prohibit registrants from having social networking, email, internet chat room, or instant messaging accounts. However, sex offenders in Iowa are required to register all internet identifiers as part of relevant information defined in Iowa Code 692A.101(9) Definitions.