Here are some frequently asked questions about registered sex offender information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information will I get from a search?

The State Of Washington has strict laws that govern the information that can be disclosed about registered sex offenders. In accordance with these laws, the King County Sheriff's Office provides name, date of birth and physical description information along with address approximations for Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. Physical description information includes race, sex, height, weight, hair color and eye color.

How can I get photos of the offenders?

The King County Sheriff's Office submits all registration photos to the Washington State Patrol for publication on the Washington State Sex Offender Information Center. This web site provides information about the offenders, a mapping tool, photos, and crime prevention tips. Please be aware that the site is updated on a different schedule than ours, so there may be differences between the data shown on the two sites. Every agency does its best to provide current information.

Visit the Washington State Sex Offender Information Center

What are the different sex offender levels and what do they mean?

Level 1:  The vast majority of registered sex offenders are classified as Level 1 offenders. They are considered at low risk to re-offend. These individuals may be first time offenders and they usually know their victims.

Level 2 offenders have a moderate risk of re-offending. They generally have more than one victim and the abuse may be long term. These offenders usually groom their victims and may use threats to commit their crimes. These crimes may be predatory with the offender using a position of trust to commit their crimes. Typically these individuals do not appreciate the damage they have done to their victims.

Level 3 offenders are considered to have a high risk to re-offend. They usually have one or more victims and may have committed prior crimes of violence. They may not know their victim(s). The crime may show a manifest cruelty to the victim(s) and these offenders usually deny or minimize the crime. These offenders commonly have clear indications of a personality disorder.

Disclaimer:  The sex offender level is determined by the law enforcement agency in which the sex offender resides. The King County Sheriff's Office is not responsible for the sex offender rating completed by another law enforcement agency. Any questions regarding a sex offender's level should be directed to the law enforcement agency in which the offender resides. Please Note: This database contains information about Level 2 and Level 3 offenders only.

How often is this information updated?

The King County Sheriff's Office routinely updates information in our databases. The website updates occur on a weekly basis.