Registered Sex Offenders

Sex offenders have always lived in our communities. However, it wasn't until passage of the Community Protection Act of 1990 that took effect February 28, 1990 (which mandates sex offender registration), that law enforcement agencies routinely tracked where sex offenders were living.

The Washington State Sex Offender Information Center (known as OffenderWatch) is a website created by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs at the direction of the Washington State legislature. This site allows you to search for RSOs living near you by searching an area around the address you provide. It is law enforcement's duty to inform the public about RSO information in their area. Do not pay any site charging for information about sex offenders.

If you have a questions about a sex offender living inside the city limits of Castle Rock, Kalama, Kelso, Longview, or Woodland, you should contact that city's police department. Questions about sex offenders in unincorporated Cowlitz County should be directed to the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office. For information regarding Public Disclosure, please see RCW 4.24.550.

If you want to know the laws and changes to the laws regarding Registered Sex Offenders, please go to our Important Changes in the Law page. For basic registration laws in the State of Washington, see RCW 9A.44.130.

For any other questions or information regarding Registered Sex Offenders, please email the Sheriff's Office RSO detective.