Alameda County Sex Offender Registry
Sex offenders in Alameda County must register with local law enforcement. The Alameda County Sheriff handles registration for most of the county. Cities like Oakland, Fremont, and Hayward have their own police departments that process registrants. Anyone convicted of certain sex crimes must check in and update their information on a regular basis. The state Megan's Law website shows registered offenders by address and zip code. You can search for offenders near your home or school. The county has more than 120,000 residents spread across cities and towns. Registration offices verify each person's address and take updated photos. This keeps the database current.
Alameda County Quick Facts
Alameda County Sheriff Registration
The Alameda County Sheriff's Office manages sex offender registration for unincorporated areas and some cities. The main contact number is 510-272-6878. The office is at 1401 Lakeside Drive in Oakland, 94612. Offenders must appear in person to register or update their information. They cannot do this by phone or mail. The sheriff verifies identity and takes a new photo at each visit.
Sex offenders check in with the sheriff within five working days of moving into the county. They bring ID and fill out forms with their current address, job details, and vehicle info. The office asks about internet usernames and email accounts too. All this data goes into the state registry. The DOJ posts it on the public Megan's Law site if the person is not excluded by court order.
Most offenders in Alameda County update once per year. The update must happen within five working days before or after the person's birthday. Transients with no fixed address come in every 30 days. Sexually violent predators register every 90 days. Missing an update is a crime. The sheriff can issue a warrant if someone fails to appear on time.
City Police Department Registration
Oakland has its own police department registration unit. The Oakland Police Department is located at 455 7th Street. You can reach them at 510-238-3455. Oakland is the largest city in Alameda County. Many registered sex offenders live in Oakland. The police department handles all registration for people living within city limits.
Fremont operates a separate registration office. The Fremont Police Department is at 2000 Stevenson Boulevard. Their registration unit can be reached at 510-790-6942. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fremont has over 230,000 residents. Sex offenders living in Fremont must register with this office, not the county sheriff.
Hayward also manages its own registrations. The Hayward Police Department processes sex offender registrations at their detention facility. The address is 300 West Winton Avenue. The phone number is 510-293-7043. Registrants need an appointment before showing up. Walk-ins are not accepted. This helps the department manage the flow of people and ensure officers are available to complete the paperwork.
Each city police department follows the same state law. The process is similar whether you register with the sheriff or a city agency. You show up in person, provide updated information, and get photographed. The local agency sends the data to the state DOJ. The DOJ updates the public website within a day or two. This system keeps the registry accurate across all jurisdictions in the county.
Statewide Megan's Law Search
The California Megan's Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov is the main tool for finding registered sex offenders in Alameda County. You can search by city, zip code, or address. The map feature shows offenders near a specific location like a school or park. Each profile includes a photo, physical description, and details about the crime that led to registration.
Some offenders display a full street address. Others only show a zip code. A few are marked as undisclosed due to court orders or privacy rules. Alameda County has hundreds of registered offenders spread across its cities and towns. The registry lists each person's tier level. Tier One offenders register for ten years. Tier Two offenders register for twenty years. Tier Three offenders register for life.
You must agree to a disclaimer before searching. The site warns that misusing registry information is a crime. You cannot use the data to harass or harm an offender. Doing so can result in fines and jail time. The purpose of the registry is to help people protect themselves and their families. Law enforcement also uses it to track offenders and ensure compliance.
California DOJ Resources
The California Department of Justice oversees all sex offender registration in the state. The DOJ maintains the central database and publishes the Megan's Law website. You can contact the DOJ at MegansLaw@doj.ca.gov with questions about registration or the public website. The DOJ also handles exclusion requests from offenders who want their information removed from the internet.
Offenders can apply for exclusion using form CJIS-4046D. The form is available on the DOJ sex offender registration forms page. Processing takes 30 to 90 days or longer. Not everyone qualifies for exclusion. The law limits who can be removed from the public site. Even if excluded from the website, the person still must register with local law enforcement.
The DOJ also offers information about Senate Bill 384, which created the tiered registration system. This law went into effect on January 1, 2021. Before that date, most sex offenders registered for life. Now they are divided into three tiers based on the severity of their offense. Tier One and Tier Two offenders can petition the court to end their registration requirement after completing the minimum period.
National and Federal Databases
The National Sex Offender Public Website at nsopw.gov searches registries from all 50 states. You can use this tool to check if someone registered in another state before moving to Alameda County. The national database pulls data from local and state sources across the country. It does not replace the California Megan's Law site. For current information about offenders in Alameda County, use the state registry first.
Some sex offenders are under federal supervision. These individuals may be monitored by U.S. Probation or the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Federal offenders still must register with local law enforcement in the county where they live. They follow the same rules as state offenders. The local registration office coordinates with federal agencies to track these individuals.
Victim Resources and Legal Aid
Victims of sex crimes can find help through local organizations. The Alameda County District Attorney's Victim Services Division offers support to crime victims. They provide information about the criminal justice process and help victims understand their rights. You can contact them through the DA's office in Oakland.
Legal aid is available for people who need assistance with registration issues or related legal matters. The East Bay Community Law Center serves low-income residents in Alameda County. They offer free or low-cost legal services. Other nonprofit groups in the area also provide help with criminal records and expungement.
Cities in Alameda County
Alameda County includes several large cities with populations over 100,000. These cities have their own police departments that handle sex offender registration. Smaller cities and unincorporated areas fall under the jurisdiction of the county sheriff.
Other cities in the county include Berkeley, Alameda, San Leandro, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Union City. Each has its own police department. Sex offenders living in these cities must register with the local police, not the county sheriff. You can search for offenders in any city using the statewide Megan's Law website.
Nearby Counties
Alameda County borders several other counties in the Bay Area. Each county has its own sheriff and registration system. Offenders who move between counties must update their registration with the new jurisdiction within five working days.
Contra Costa County | Santa Clara County | San Joaquin County | San Mateo County