The Department of Justice has announced the activation of its National Sex Offender Public Registry Website, which provides real-time access to public sex offender data nationwide with a single internet search. The website, located at www.nsopr.gov allows parents and concerned citizens to search existing public, state and territory sex offender registries beyond their own states. With a single query from any web-capable computer, NSOPR searches public, state and territory sex offender registries to deliver matched results based on a name, state, county, city/town, or zip code. The criteria for searching are limited to what each individual state may provide.

The site currently links 24 state sites. Because information is hosted by each state and not by the federal government, search results should be verified by the user in the state where the information is posted. Users are advised to log on pertinent state web sites for further information and /or guidance, as appropriate.

There are over 500,000 registered sex offenders nationwide and statistics have shown the recidivism rate for these offenders is high. Access to public registry information nationwide is essential for citizens to help identify sex offenders beyond their own streets and neighborhood.