Maricopa County Sex Offender Registry
Maricopa County has the largest sex offender population in Arizona. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office handles all sex offender registration for the county. This includes Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Glendale, Gilbert, Tempe, and many other cities. You can search the Maricopa County sex offender database online through the OffenderWatch system. The sheriff also runs a Sex Offender Notification Unit that tracks compliance and sends community alerts. Over half of Arizona's registered sex offenders live in Maricopa County.
Maricopa County Quick Facts
Maricopa County Sheriff Sex Offender Unit
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office runs the sex offender registration program for the entire county. Their main office is in downtown Phoenix. Sex offenders must register in person at this location. The process includes fingerprints, photos, and filling out forms. Staff verify all information and enter it into the state database.
The Sex Offender Notification Unit handles community alerts and compliance checks. They work with local police in each city to track offenders. When someone moves into a neighborhood, the unit decides what level of notice to give. Level 3 offenders get the most attention. The unit may send flyers, hold meetings, or post online alerts for high-risk cases in Maricopa County. You can reach the notification unit at (602) 876-1087 for questions about specific offenders in your area.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office website has general information about their services. For sex offender specific questions, call the main registration line at (602) 876-1070. The office is at 111 S 3rd Avenue, 4th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, but calling ahead can save time.
MCSO is one of the largest sheriff offices in the nation. They have dedicated staff just for sex offender work. This helps them stay on top of a big caseload.
Searching Sex Offenders in Maricopa County
You can look up sex offenders in Maricopa County through several tools. The easiest way is the online search. It works from any phone or computer. Just type a name or address and hit search. Results come up in seconds.
The Maricopa County OffenderWatch portal is the official search tool. It shows all registered sex offenders in the county. You can search by name, street, city, or zip code. Each result shows a photo, address, and offense details. The site also has a map view so you can see offenders near any location. This tool is free to use and updates regularly as offenders register or move.
When searching Maricopa County sex offenders, you may find these details:
- Full name and any known aliases
- Current address and prior addresses
- Photo taken at last registration
- Offense that required registration
- Risk level assigned by the state
Note: Some offenders may not appear if their risk level is too low for public posting.
Sex Offender Registration in Maricopa County
All sex offenders living in Maricopa County must register with the sheriff. This is Arizona law. You cannot skip it or do it by mail. Registration happens in person at the downtown Phoenix office. Bring a valid ID and be ready to provide all required information.
New residents have 72 hours to register after arriving in Maricopa County if they plan to stay more than 72 hours. This rule applies if you had to register in another state. The clock starts when you enter the county. Missing this window is a felony. The sheriff takes this seriously and will file charges. If you move within the county, you have 72 hours to update your address. Same rule applies. Go to the office, fill out the forms, and get it done. Annual registration happens during your birth month. The $250 fee is due each year.
Maricopa County sees a lot of new registrations each month. Phoenix alone draws people from all over. The sheriff has streamlined the process to handle the volume, but expect some wait time during busy periods. Morning visits tend to be faster than afternoons.
Maricopa County Sex Offender Compliance
The sheriff checks on sex offenders to make sure they follow the rules. Deputies visit homes to verify addresses. They check that offenders live where they say they do. If someone is not home, they come back. Missing a check can trigger a warrant.
Compliance also means following all court conditions. Some offenders cannot go near schools or parks. Others have curfews or internet limits. The Maricopa County Sheriff works with probation officers to enforce these rules. Violations get reported to the court. This can mean going back to jail or prison. The county takes compliance very seriously given the large number of offenders they track.
Level 3 offenders in Maricopa County get extra attention. Deputies check on them more often. The community notification unit monitors their movements closely. Under A.R.S. Section 13-3727, these high-risk offenders cannot live within 1,000 feet of schools or daycare centers. The sheriff maps out exclusion zones and makes sure offenders stay out of them.
Note: If you see a sex offender violating rules, report it to the sheriff at (602) 876-1070.
Sex Offender Resources in Maricopa County Cities
Maricopa County includes many large cities. Each has its own police force that assists with sex offender matters. City police handle community notification in their areas. They work with the sheriff to track offenders and respond to tips.
Phoenix has a Sex Offender Notification Unit within the police department. Mesa runs a SONET program that focuses on tracking and enforcement. Scottsdale, Chandler, Glendale, Gilbert, and Tempe all have officers assigned to sex offender compliance. These city units coordinate with MCSO to share information and conduct joint operations when needed.
Residents in these cities can contact their local police for questions about offenders in their neighborhood:
Arizona Sex Offender Laws for Maricopa County
State law governs sex offender registration in Maricopa County. The main rules are in Title 13 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. These laws apply the same way across all 15 counties. The sheriff follows them exactly.
A.R.S. Section 13-3821 lists the crimes that require registration. It also sets the $250 annual fee and explains what information offenders must provide. A.R.S. Section 13-3822 requires 72-hour notice for any address change. A.R.S. Section 13-3824 makes failure to register a Class 4 felony. Maricopa County prosecutors charge these cases regularly.
Community notification rules are in A.R.S. Section 13-3825. The sheriff has 45 days after an offender registers to notify the community based on risk level. For Level 2 and Level 3 offenders, notice is mandatory. The sheriff can post online, send mailers, or hold public meetings depending on the case.
Nearby Arizona Counties
Maricopa County borders several other Arizona counties. Sex offenders who move across county lines must register with the new county sheriff within 72 hours.