Ticket To Ride—Can Sex Offenders Travel to Other States?
Registered sex offenders carry the burden of their crimes with them for many years.
Being on a state sex offender registry brings with it restrictions on many aspects of their lives in an attempt to keep the general public safe.
Can sex offenders travel to other states? DoNotPay helps you understand whether sex criminals can travel and who should be informed about it if they do.
What Restrictions Are Placed on Sex Offenders?
Being convicted of a sex crime can result in a custodial sentence, but the most long-term consequence is that offenders have to add themselves to their state’s sex offender registry.
Each registry contains details of convicted sex offenders and is available to the public so that citizens are aware of where the criminals are. This is a result of Megan’s Law (1994), which enforces the right of public access to sex offenders’ names and whereabouts.
The details captured in each registry vary from state to state but always include an offender’s:
- Name
- Photo
- Address
- Conviction history
Once a criminal is on the registry, they are required to update their entry annually or if any of the information changes. For tier III (or level III) offenders, the requirement is a quarterly update in most states.
-
or childcare facilities
- Restrictions on travel without informing authorities
- Control of social media activities
- Disbarment from holding jobs that involve contact with children
What Are the Everyday Consequences for Sex Offenders?
Most states use registry information proactively to inform schools, childcare facilities, social services, and public housing organizations of the presence of a sex offender in their neighborhood.
The consequences of registration for a sex offender can be:
- Difficulty in finding a job
- Inability to access credit
- Impossibility of securing public housing
- Trouble with interstate or international travel
A sex offender registry intends to allow authorities and the public to map the whereabouts of sex offenders to ensure public awareness and safety.
Can Sex Offenders Travel Interstate?
Sex offenders can travel to other states if they are not on parole or probation, but each state requires varying levels of information about their travel plans.
The state the sex offender normally lives in may require:
- Destination details, including addresses and contact information for the offender’s overnight stays
- Proof of accommodation bookings
- Travel dates and flight information, if relevant
The destination state that a sex offender intends to visit could be even more stringent in its requirements, requiring:
- Advance permission to visit
- Registration after a certain number of days
- Proof of travel plans and bookings
There are no federal laws on what information sex offenders need to provide when they are traveling, so each state can set its own rules.
Can Sex Offenders Travel Internationally?
In theory, sex offenders are allowed to travel internationally but face several hurdles to do so.
As a consequence of registration, sex offenders receive a mark on their passport that flags their status to immigration officials as soon as the passport is checked.
This is a result of Congress passing H.R. 4573 or the International Megan’s Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking. Under this law, the U.S. Government is required to inform other countries when a registered sex offender plans to travel there.
In such cases, the destination country may:
- Refuse entry
- Require registration on arrival
- Place restrictions on movement or activity in-country
How Can You Track a Sex Offender’s Whereabouts?
Your and your family’s safety is paramount, and you have the right to know if you may be close to a sex offender.
To find out if you may be in danger, you have two options:
| Tracking Method | Explanation |
| Resident sex offender | If you are worried that you may have a sex offender in your neighborhood, you can check on your state registry for the names of registered sex offenders in your vicinity |
| Visiting sex offender | If you think a sex offender may be visiting and can ascertain their name, you can use the national registry to check whether they are registered anywhere |
Unregistered sex offenders are difficult to track, so you should immediately report any suspicious behavior to your local law enforcement.
A sex offender’s whereabouts can change overnight, though. If you want to keep updated about whether a sex offender has entered your neighborhood, DoNotPay has the solution. We can perform a one-time search or send you weekly updates about specific names or your area!
Get Sex Offender Alerts From DoNotPay!
DoNotPay understands how much you value your safety and that of your family.
With DoNotPay’s Sex Offender Search product, you can perform a once-off search for your area or a specific name. You can even sign up for weekly updates, so you can have ongoing peace of mind with zero hassle.
Here’s how to use our feature:
-
in your web browser
- Click on our Sex Offender Search feature
- Type in the name of the offender or your address, and set the search parameters
You will get your report in a flash, and—if you choose—updates will be sent to you every week!
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Although certain tasks require you to get a lawyer’s assistance, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars for their service. With DoNotPay, you can avoid figuring out the legal jargon and have peace of mind dealing with bureaucratic tasks the easy way.
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Countries You Can’t Travel to With a Criminal Record
Having a criminal record makes international travel very difficult. Because most countries try to protect their citizens from outside criminal activities, they have strict laws about who can enter a particular country and who cannot.
As a result, if you have a criminal record, you won’t be allowed to enter most countries where you’re required to obtain a visa prior.
List of Countries You Can’t Travel to With a Criminal Record
Here is a list of countries that don’t allow convicted felons to enter:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Canada
- China
- Cuba
- India
- Iran
- Israel
- Japan
- Kenya
- Macau
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Taiwan
- The United Kingdom
- United States
What Countries Can a Convicted Felon Travel to?
You can travel to the following countries if you are a convicted felon:
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Chile
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Peru
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Tanzania
- The Dominican Republic
- The Philippines
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
Remember: The countries listed above do not ask you to provide your criminal history upfront but still have active laws which prohibit felons from entering the country. This means that while you don’t have to provide evidence of your criminal history, you will be denied entry if your history is discovered.
Can I Visit Europe With a Criminal Record?
If you have visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Zone, then you can enter even with a criminal record. If you don’t have visa-free access, you may be required to show your criminal history during the visa application process. But, still, you can usually enter any country in Europe if you have a criminal record and:
- Your conviction does not pass 3 years.
- You were not arrested in crimes related to human trafficking or drug smuggling.
However, once ETIAS is launched in 2023, entering countries in Europe with a criminal history will be more difficult. ETIAS will provide background checks for every person who wants to enter the Schengen Area, and without receiving an entry authorization, you cannot visit member countries.
Am I Allowed to Enter Canada With a Criminal Record?
You usually can’t enter Canada if you have a criminal convention. However, you may gain entry if you submit an application for rehabilitation. If you are granted this waiver, then you can enter Canada despite your criminal history. But, waivers aren’t granted in severe crimes such as human trafficking.
Can I Enter the US With a Criminal Record?
You can’t enter the US with a criminal record. But, sometimes there are exceptions; for example, if you were convicted of only one crime with a sentence of a maximum one year, this is considered a “sentencing exception.” In other cases, you may be eligible for special entry permission.
What Is Considered a Felony When It Comes to Travelling?
Felonies that prohibit you from traveling include serious crimes such as:
- Human trafficking
- Murder
- Manslaughter (unintentional killing)
- Rape/sexual assault
- Kidnapping
- Child pornography
- Manufacturing and selling drugs
- Assault
- Animal cruelty
- Cybercrime
- Tax evasion
Minor misdemeanors that might be overlooked when you travel internationally include:
- Petty theft
- Public intoxication
- Reckless driving
- Shoplifting
- Trespassing
- Disorderly conduct
- Vandalism
- Indecent exposure
- Possession of Marijuana (personal use)
You have to keep in mind that the definition of a “serious crime” and “less serious” is regulated by each country. As a result, a minor misdemeanor can be considered a felony in another country, and you may still be denied entry. In addition to this, it’s important to remember that time is an essential factor in deciding whether your criminal record affects your travel.
Some countries consider the crime non-existent (or you’re rehabilitated) if enough time (10 or 15 years) has passed since you committed the crime – and you haven’t been convicted of other offenses in the meantime. On the other hand, certain countries don’t care how much time has passed; you won’t be allowed to enter with a criminal history in any case.
Can I Travel If I Was Acquitted?
A few countries may allow you to enter if you were only accused of a crime but not legally prosecuted or convicted. However, this changes from country to country; you should check with a local embassy/consulate before leaving the country.
What If I Have a Criminal Record And I Need to Travel for an Emergency?
You can still travel even with a criminal record if it is an emergency. Some countries, such as Canada and the US, issue waivers allowing you to travel. But, these waivers, which are issued only in emergencies and for humanitarian reasons, are difficult to obtain. Also, if you do get permission, you’re allowed to enter the country only once.
Things to Keep in Mind When Traveling With a Criminal Record
To make your traveling experience more manageable, you should take note of the following things when traveling with a criminal history:
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