https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/news/passports-international-megans-law.html
On February 8, 2016, Congress enacted the International Megan’s Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders (IML) (Public Law 114-119).
The IML prohibits the Department of State from issuing a passport to a covered sex offender without a unique identifier, and it allows for the revocation of passports previously issued to these individuals that do not contain the identifier (22 USC 212b).
The identifier is a passport endorsement, currently printed inside the back cover of the passport book, which reads: “The bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor, and is a covered sex offender pursuant to 22 United States Code Section 212b(c)(l).” Since endorsements cannot be printed on passport cards, covered sex offenders cannot be issued passport cards.
Only the DHS/ICE Angel Watch Center (AWC) can certify an individual as a “covered sex offender.” Therefore, any questions by the applicant about such status must be directed to and resolved by AWC.
Applicants who have questions for AWC regarding their status or believe they have been wrongly identified as a covered sex offender as defined in Title 22 United States Code 212b(c)(1) should contact AWC at [email protected].
Given that most of the countries interested in such information already have access to DOJ records, this identifier is unnecessary and exposes SOs to additional risk of discrimination and abuse by others who are not custom officials. DOJ statistics show that SOs are no more, and often, less likely to commit a sexual offense again.
Further, since it was been instituted in 2016, and seeks to expose offenders to additional scrutiny, it is a punishment, and therefore a violation of Ex Post Facto constitutional protections.
These laws are not considered a violation of the “ex post facto” rule as they are administrative regulations, not criminal punishments. At least that’s the way they spin it.
Not punishment? It sure feels like punishment when you’re publicly shamed long after you’ve served your sentence. If feels like punishment when you have to jump through more hoops to get to where you’re going than other people. Saying it’s not punishment is like getting punched in the face, and the guy punching you saying, “I’m not punching you, these are love taps”. It’s utterly absurd.
There are over a million registered sex offenders we have served out time like other crimes. Look at the facts,after world war 2 the jews went to Germany and bought everything for pennies on the dollar. The German people felt that the jews had stole their land, they felt like the jews posed a threat when Hitler took power he passed a law requiring that all jews register, that was in 1938 and 3 years later Germany started exciting the jews
Right now there are over a million registered sex offenders here in America, it’s time for us to join together and demand our constitutional rights or burn every major city in America
What do u suggest?
Yes I I agree on that I’m a Vietnam veteran hundred percent disabled Vietnam war I gave my life for this country I paid my time for my crime that I did and like you I agree we are being persecuted or the same crime again I fought for the rights of these people in this country and the government can make mistakes and say please forgive us why can’t we say that as a RSO we need to band together and maybe have a million person march on Washington DC like the hippies did a 1968 have a sit-in get Trump’s attention that we are people also.
Has anyone ever thought or tried to partition another country for political asylum a success there would cover all your problems
To those of you asking about seeking asylum in a foreign country; go to YouTube and search “Common Sense Laws” (I’ll also include a direct link)
That guy did just what you’re wondering about. He’s in Germany right now getting asylum status.
Yes I do think that America has gone to far now sex offenders have spend they time and are not on any probation or doing time do not need to be on any list check in ok were you live ok there got to be a line .
How could it not be? Those who have determined it’s not ought to live under the rules and travel for 5 years and then decide.
That is so true
what is a certificate of rehabilitation and how do go about applying for one
I would go to the Councilor that you had when you got out of prison. If indeed you did go to one. Talk to them about it.
How could it not be? Those who have determined it’s not ought to live under the rules and travel for 5 years and then decide.
Thank you for making a stand
I guess they found a way around the compelled speech argument
Well, isn’t this special. I have lived outside the USA for the last 10 years and have a new life. I own my home, I have residency. And now, uncle Sam wants to f**k up my life from afar.
Where do you live? Do you have citzenship? You don’t have to worry about the 21 day notice if you don’t live in the USA. However, your American passport will be marked if you have a child related case.
I just received my new passport, and I had a child related offense, as you put it. No mark in the passport at all about me being a SO.
Same for me. Have you traveled yet on your new passport? Curious to know your experience.
I have, to Hong Kong (twice), and Europe (Sweden is VERY Sympathetic to Our Plight!!!!!!!), and I was welcomed with genuine smiles!
I’m in the same boat. I’m also applying for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry from within USA. I contacted Angel watch Center and they gave me a general reply also offered for me to self identify to passport services. I’m not. If I get stuck in another country with a revoked passport because someone didnt do their job and I suffer hardships or lose money a lawsuit ensues.
I am not required to register anymore. I received both a passport card and passport in mid 2018. No problem traveling around Europe. The problem is coming back to the US. Had to go into a second “screening” and asked where I went, who was with me and why I went. Took maybe 2 minutes but still a pain.
I have TSA pre-check but you won’t get Global Entry as you can’t have any convictions.
Your passport will be required to be relinquished, should you attempt to travel to a country that has restrictions on SO’s. Been there, done that.
And if you go to a country that is friendly?
Wow! You people come on here and tell just a few words. Please tell me what Country doesn’t have restrictions and which do. It seems by your message you’ve been around the block. Please share your adventures. I’d love to hear them.
Can I travel to Paris?
yes
Any issues with the no SO markings on your passport?
Was you sentenced to prison? How old was your victim? Did you have a class A,B,C offense? Have you ever held a passport before you got the new one? Come on, share your story. Have you held it under a black light to see if there is a message there?
I’m interested in knowing why your not marked.
Child related? Hell 17 aint a child and they revoked my passport and put the identifer on the new.
What if its a sex offense on a adult? Does the same rules apply? Will their passport be marked as a child predator even though they have never harmed a child?
Yes because they want to rule your life just like they did when Hitler was in charge we call it America Nazism we need to join in band together all of us RSO in March to Washington DC get President Trump’s attention we are people also our rights are being violated we paid our dues in our time for our crimes why keep on punishing us let us move on with our lives
Has anyone tried traveling to Austria or Albania? I am wanting to travel to Albania where my gp’s are from. Some of the flights take me through Vienna which is why I’m asking about that. Other flights take me through Rome. Italy doesn’t seem to be a problem based on the Chart.
Hi Do you have an idea if Maldives accept RSO ?” Me and my husband planning to meet there. I hope you can give me an information. Thank you
This is going to create great problems, and lives will be ruined. This problem is going to be so great that eventually the IML will be repealed because its cruel and unusual punishment and unconstitutional and also hold those corrupt politicians accountable for passing the IML illegitimately.
They are ver corrupt and I am not sure they will get reversed.
What sense does it make for registered citizens to go through the notification process for travel, only to find out later when they arrive at a foreign destination that they can’t be allowed in, sent back and given extra scrutiny and has to explain to CBP at US Customs inspection about being sent back and their past conviction, while officials in the media are saying that registrants are not being prevented from traveling? These officials are in denial.
I have come to the conclusion that the only way to resolve this is to leave America. Yes you can. All you need is ten Grand and you can buy citizenship in a number of Countries around the world. Lets face it. Constitutional protection in this country is gone. You have paid your dues, they State has taken their pound of flesh. But no matter what you do in life they will never let you go. They want control even though they lack any legal Constitutional right to do so.
The rights of freedom come not from the Government, But from the lack of Government.
All you need is ten Grand and you can buy citizenship in a number of Countries around the world.
Which Countries?
Hey Paul would be available to talk I plan o. Traveling soon
sure call me 214-624-2552
I am exiting as well. Only need the first country to land (90 days stay), have a complete solution. Only need the initial country. Please communicate back at temporary email (prior to sharing actual email) [email protected] – name is Jon.
Exiting usa 4th quarter 2020.
I am an RSO and engaged to a Philippino woman. We are looking for a neutral country to get married in but since the Adam Walsh Act would prohibit me from applying for an immigration visa to the US we are also looking for a neutral country to live…Philippines is obviously out! Any advice? We would love to live in Thailand…all suggestions from this site are welcome
Does anyone know what countries in Africa allow us to travel there, AND whether we are allowed to travel to Russia?
Paul…
May I call you?
Carey
Sure my number is 214-624-2552
Hi! I’d love to call or text you about this. I’m considering moving abroad (I have a tier 1 conviction)
Paul, I saw that Carey asked if you knew what countries in Africa you can travel. do you know of any? if so which ones.. I would really love to visit Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Thank you
What countries can you buy citizenship for $10,000? All I’ve seen is the cheapest is Guatemala at $65,000 to $75,000. I did hear a rumor that Nigeria does stuff like that. I hear they give you a new birth certificate a death certificate for your old name and also a new passport. But I don’t know if that’s true and I don’t know the cost
Hey Paul,
I have been interested in Guatemala for a while now, a friend has invited me to stay with him down there. Can you help me with information regarding Economic Citizenship (or whatever they do there)? It would be greatly helpful. The cheapest I’ve seen is Dominica (NOT Dominican Republic) for $100,000.
Thanks
Dominica, Guadeloupe, and New Caledonia off the coast of Australia are all FRENCH, and thus fall under the EUROPEAN UNION, so……. NO!
Are we allowed to fly to Dominica? It is no longer French!
You don’t have to BUY citizenship in Guatemala. You just get a visa to reside there for two years, apply for an extension for one more, find someone willing to SPONSOR you, and after three years.. apply for citizenship. One and done.
Doesn’t the application for citizenship require a notarized police clearance from your home country? Or can you bypass it in Guatemala for the right “fee?”
How does an SO get 10 grand though when nobody will hire them?
A lot of companies hire RSO’s. You just have to move to a State that has an anti discrimination law on the books, like New York!
Carey. Come on Carey. These States that have that law are lacks on this. I applied to many places that was hiring and when they read my resume they said that they had they’re quota of personnel. If you know of a company that hires Illegals then your all set. My own State hires Illegals but try to get a job from these assholes and your fighting the wind.
J. Come on J. No one will hire you? Your not very active or else your not very interested in working. I’m 73 and I work part time cleaning offices. If I was in a city or county where there are meat packers or slaughter houses and if I needed a job I would go there. if they hire Illegals they hire anyone.
Do you have a list of these countries? I’ve been thinking of moving outside of the US and would love knowing what countries I could get citizenship and a passport for 10k.
I call it American Nazism just like in Germany when Hitler was in charge you wanted to run to everybody’s life so maybe America should just give up and let Russia coming to take over or maybe we all should join together and do a March on Washington DC and I like President Trump know that we are people in our constitutional rights are being violated
So you can move to another Country and buy a citizenship! Please tell me where that is possible. That is the first time I have heard of that. I know you can buy an extension on your visa or whatever but buy a citizenship seems outright impossible.Please share your knowledge with everyone here.
Yes, it is called Investment Citizenship. Also, look into real-estate citizenships. It is a process. Do a search on YouTube, there are actually companies that can help you facilitate the process. But it is very legal and very possible to buy citizenship in another country and then give up your US citizenship.
What country can you move to and get citizenship for $10,000? Not trying to be a smartass just wouod genuinely like to know
As usual all combined as one no matter what or WHEN it was MARKED BY THE PINK TRIANGLE OR JEWISH STAR OF ….ON YOUR SCARLET LETTER US Federal Passport YOU SHALL BE CONTINYLUALLY PUNISHED AND NOT ALLOWED THE FREEDOMES IF OTHER CITIZENS TO TRAVEL OR FREELY MOVE ABOUT THE WORLD…Whats next Folks? A Passport I’D for State to State travel since airport customs wants special Id’s for States not complying with Cafe’s for air travel (TSA treament) more holding area tank tomes forthcoming. Hours before release. Well see….maybe an Attorney can start Lawsuit again so the Fed Cars will see VIOLATION of our?()U.S. Constitution and not waive them to allow ALLOW ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS VS. PUNITIVE CONTINUAL PUNISHMENT AND denial of freedom of movement when most have NOT done HUMA N Trafficking nor exploit or sell minors. We next will have The Mark imbeeded on our forearm wrist or forehead for all to witness and to visibly visualize the Damned. Por Vida
Don’t blame Y’isra’EL…
They allow us entry!!!!!!!
I travel mostly in Europe, and so far they have ignored the red notices from the AWC. Hopefully that will continue with this new scarlet letter. Especially considering that my offense isn’t even illegal in all of Europe.
I’m planning to travel to Europe in Feb of next year. Hoping to visit Netherlands, France, Belgium and Germany. Have you had any bad experiences in any of these places? It will be my first time traveling outside of the US, and honestly I’m terrified.
Compilation of responses from RSOL site:
So here are some of my latest travel experiences as a registrant. 2015 travel (cruise) to Italy, Greece, Turkey, France and Spain with no problems whatsoever. 2016 Travel to Brazil with Visa requirements suspended during olympics. I was stopped at passport control, placed under house arrest, detained at the airport in a locked room for 12 hours with an airport guard, then placed on the next Delta Flight back to US. All SORs are prohibited from travelling to Brazil which I found out later (Brazil Ministerial Order 876/2014). Dec 2016 a Virginia SOR was allowed entry to UK/London LHR for a wedding for a week. Mar 2017 another virginia SOR was denied entry to UK/London LHR for a cruise in which he had no plans to stay on land anywhere in the UK – held for 12 hours, placed on next flight back to US – neither had applied for a VISA. Hearing that, I applied for a VISA for my upcoming visit to the UK in 2018 and was denied a VISA and am barred from entering the UK since my single offense from 15 years ago with no reoffense and 10 yr suspended sentence with only 180 days of retained jurisdiction (Classified Non Violent Offense) was longer than a 4 year sentence. They also cited a general menace to society and referenced a second law for denying my VISA (V3.4(a) and V3.3). So I am travelling in a few months to Amsterdam and Paris, applied for a VISA via the Netherlands (Schengen Visa) – interviewed with the Consulate and notified them of my offense, registration, issues in Brazil and the UK, etc. They responded back within 4 days and were resolute, as an American Citizen with no travel restrictions, I am fully welcome to enter the Netherlands regardless of my past criminal record, current registration status, and they refused to process my VISA application (did not reject and did not deny my application) but were very clear that they wanted me to travel to the Netherlands with full assurance that I would have no problems entering their country. They even refunded all of my VISA non refundable application fees. So I am still a little worried but I would love to hear others travel stories since the best advice from the only law firm in the US who really provides advice is to seek as many stories as you can….and no I don’t work for them and have not used their services –
but their advice is do not travel without a VISA regardless of the requirements for one –
in many cases US citizens don’t require visas for travel – their advice –
Always apply for a VISA.
https://www.wksexcrimes.com/guide-to-international-traveling-for-registered-sex-offenders. Hope this helps others.
Reply
Tod
February 2, 2018 at 6:38 pm
Tom, I flew from Iceland (no problems getting in at all – DON’T FLY THRU CANADA!!!) directly to Amsterdam – Iceland is a great way to travel to EU! Once you are in a Schengen country, there is usually no passport check going into another schengen country – there wasn’t for me going into Amsterdam. So that was easy. I have heard that as long as you don’t need to get a VISA with a US passport, do NOT get one. It is automatically getting you flagged, so not sure what advice they gave you, I have never applied for one (been to 7 countries) and didn’t need it. As far as the UK, I flew into London (twice) and this was before I knew about all the restrictions, and was allowed in no questions. I have a F4 from 16 yrs ago, so not sure if they are restricting on the actual offense or not. If I were to go back, xxxxxx Again, once in a Schengen, especially on a train, MUCH easier to get into a country, xxxxx , but I think a better chance. BTW, didn’t have any probs getting into the Czech Rep, and think eastern EU might be fine tooGood luck!!
Anonymous
February 2, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Have traveled to Germany, Switzerland, and France multiple times. The EU and Swiss don’t care about our draconian laws.
Tom
February 27, 2018 at 9:32 pm
Thanks Tod. But as I understand it you are flagged because of the SMART System and not because of the VISA. Per SORNA, once DOJ is notified, they notify DOS, who notifies INTERPOL, who notifies the host country of the arrival and departure dates and times. So with or without a VISA, they already know you are arriving. Again assuming you are still on the registry, SORNA requires every international trip to be registered at least 21 days in advance of the trip with all the required flight and travel itinerary information. And travelling without that notification is unto itself a violation of SORNA, so I make sure I register every single international trip I take. Thanks!
Anonymous
February 2, 2018 at 6:49 pm
I should add except for the UK (England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland). They will turn you away. They aren’t part of Schengen.
Jonathon
February 25, 2018 at 11:31 pm
I seems to me that the Netherland officials did not process your visa applications because no visa was needed to enter their Country with you being a US citizen. Same with France for US persons who want to visit for less than 90 days.
People in Indonesia who want to visit France have to pay 1200 dollars for a visa to go there on vacation.
Tom
February 27, 2018 at 9:02 pm
Yes Thanks. I knew ahead of time that as a US citizen I did not need a VISA (just like the rest of the 26 or so Schengen Countries) – but advice from the US CBP/ICE officials after my detention experience in Brazil and legal advice I have received has recommended if in doubt – to apply for a VISA regardless. That way you are guaranteed an interview with a consulate or embassy official and can find out first hand if there are going to be issues when trying to enter a country before you travel. Especially since there is no clear or definitive information sources for those on the registry and with required SORNA notifications through Interpol. RTAG has a decent resource but even that has a disclaimer that their info is anecdotal at best. It appears now that Schengen travel is the least risky, but travel to the Far East is still pretty problematic with very inconsistent stories and experiences as is travel to the UK with as many people being stopped and barred as there are people entering without a problem. So my plans are to stick to Schengen Travel as I work through the process and court proceedings for removal from the registry (non-violent, low risk, one time offender).
I to am working on getting removed from registering how do you think being removed will help you with your travel
They gave you bad advice! All non-UK European Countries and their far ranging Territories WELCOME us with Open Arms! They cannot issue you a Visa, contrary to whatever you have heard!
Did you end up taking your vacation? And did all go well! I am hoping you had a great time! We are planning my
Husbands first trip out of the country for September 2019.
Where all did y’all go!?? I have been using up my 90 days alternating between Hong Kong (where I am, now), and Europe! Have you heard anything about Russia and/or Indonesia?
Enjoy!
Carey
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCzq3M8E1k6073IO1LTBwN_g
How did your European travels go? Get turned away?
I have been to Europe many times, and have never been questioned. Hong Kong is Very Welcoming, TOO! I am there, right now (HK)!
Europe is wide ooen for us, but wait until Covid 19 has beed contained! If you want to travel, now, go to Guatemala or Hong Kong, or come here to Pokhara, Nepal where no one wears masks!
Move there…. If your offense (not conviction) is over 10 years old, you can apply for, and receive, Residency! Then apply for Citizenship when the appropriate time comes!
Carey, I am having trouble following the thread. Move where?
Thanks
“What is the constitution.”
-American Law Makers
Has anyone heard of the passports being revoked yet? I’ve seen nothing in the news about it happening yet to anyone. Given the spate of recent sex abuse allegations leveled at Hollywood as well as the Congress of the US and others, I somehow doubt they would be stupid enough to actually implement this. Time will tell, I guess.
How do you find out if you are a covered sex offender? My husband’s passport has expired and I want to renew but I am afraid it will trigger who knows what. These laws have us paralyzed. He was convicted in 1989 and released in 1993. We live in fear all the time. He was a born in Mexico but his father was a citizen of the US. He was brought to the US on a green card but when we married, I did the research and found out he was a citizen and so we gathered all the required documents and applied and received his passport. We now need to reapply but we’re afraid it could back fire somehow and he could be deported. Anyone with answers?
Living in fear.
Please call me and we cn discuss
Paul
214-624-2552
Does he still have to register? I don’t and received both a passport card and passport book in mid 2018. No stamps.
My passport has been revoked. I am applying for a new passport. It will have the endorsement identifying me as a sex offender. Plan to travel to France. Don’t know if they will let me enter the country. I’m not sure how to prepare for a refusal at the border.
When are you going to France. did you make it in?
All of non-UK Europe, with the exception of Spain, is extremely welcoming, and I have always been greeted and welcomed with a big smile! One supervisor even told me that Europe! Spain will ask you about and document your itenerary, and then let you in! I have spent most of my time in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Italy…
I am currently in Nepal, since New Year’s Day, when my most recent 90 days in Hong Hong ended.
Have you heard anything about Russia?
Are you still abroad?
Where all have you been since IML?
All of non-UK Europe and their far flung Territories, are FINE! I am in Hong Kong, now, and have alternatingly been maxing out my 90 days tourist stays in Europe, and here! Remember that France and the Netherlands have Islsnds in the Caribbean, and SHARE Saint Marten/Martin!
How was Paris?
Karl. Have you gone to France yet? Please tell everyone here of your experiences and how you was treated. Everyone that has traveled please post your experiences and what anyone should expect.I’m wondering about Hong Kong seeing they have switched to China rule.
I HAVE BEEN DEAL WITH THIS FOR 24 YEARS ALL I WANT TO IS TRAVEL AND NOW I CANT GO ANYWHERE WITH OUT BEING EMBARRASSED DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO GET THIS TAKEN OFF YOUR RECORD I WANT TO LIVE
I have been working with my attorney for a year and even if you get registration requirements removed in your state, SORNA still applies and you will still have to register to meet federal requirements unless you go to federal court and get reporting requirements removed. Good luck with that!
If you get removed from your state , shouldn’t that remove you from SORNA database?
SORNA database pulls from state records.
The way my attorney explained it was that if we are removed from SORNA databases then we won’t be on Angel watch anymore which we should find with travel.
Hi, what kind of attorney are you working with and what state do you live in?
I live in Texas. I have several lawyers I work with.
Hi,
I just got turned back from the Dominican Republic yesterday. Very embarrassing, and I didn’t know the DR was included in all this. Happened in Mexico two years ago. My sister sent me this site so I’m reading all a this and starting to worry.
I live in CO, convicted in 2009 with M1 (first time), 5years SO treatment and registration for I think 10 years.
Has anyone successfully got removed from registry. I’m in search of information and help.
@F Nak
Not sure why but it didn’t give me an option to respond to you. You need to contact Alison Ruttenberg. She’s a CO Attorney in Boulder and is fighting the good fight for all of us. She is busy, so not sure when she’ll fit you in, but she won’t gouge you on price. Look her up, she’s done some good in CO. She recently had a federal judge rule the CO registry Unconstitutional stating it was cruel and unusual and declared her clients be removed. Colorado has yet to oblige the order, however, but she’s making progress. But yes, in CO, you have to register while on probation plus an additional 10 years once you’re off, even with a misdemeanor.
What layers are you working with in Texas. I noticed you had a Dallas number. I’m in Dallas too
I live in California, and on Megan’s list. I have done everything the courts have asked. Even got a certificate of rehabilitation. But nope, its like once your on that site. Your there for life. I was 24 and my so called victim was 18 years old. The politicians and Lawyers don’t give a shit about anyone on that site. I hate it while on that site I served my country in Iraq in 04-05. been 21 years never commented a crime like that again just 2 DUI’s that are off my record. I’m a disabled vet too. Lawyers say the can help me like Wallin & Klarich out of southern ca. They took my $4,500 dollars. And then nothing. I bet they play golf with the governor of Ca. Its a fucked up situation. are government is doing. I was almost to the point of saying fuck it, but why? I say fuck all of them. People making laws for rich people that line their pockets. Like the rich, you have money you can get away with murder. Just like OJ Simpson. You know a funny thing? They take away my gun rights, I didn’t even use a gun in the crime I so called commented. I even admitted of doing it. I was honest and truthful. And they scared me into taking a deal. Megan’s law wasn’t even on the internet yet. I went to Iraq with the 579th CBT ENG with the 81st brigade out of Ft Lewis Washington. Gave me a M-16 with a 203 grenade launcher, have pictures to prove it even walking next to a Iraqi child. And after a year there. with a weapons’. I still cant own a firearm. How stupid and Ironic are country’s is getting. I’m so mad. I’ve never been in trouble since and have done everything the courts asked me to get. And nothing. Its like they put you on that site and throw away the key. Idiots, I say run are country. Maybe people that have commented a crime that aren’t rich run the country.
Thats just not true. Everything is ran and done by the state not the feds. The federal sex offender database is just a compilation of state data bases. If your removed from the state your removed from the daya base
Theres literally no way tl register with a federal entity unless your crime was federal
Actually, you are WRONG! I know for a fact that when New York State removes you, you are NOT brsnded anymore, and alerts are no longer sent and are allowed to travel ANYWHERE without fear of being rejected!
.. Apply to get a certificate of rehabilitation .. I was successful at doing so and as a result was relieved of my requirement to register as a sex offender
Mark,
Was it an application for rehabilitation to Canada? What kind of official reply did you receive? How did they describe that you have been rehabilitated? Did you use a lawyer?
You said that you were taken off the registry? Did your successful application contributed to you getting off the registry? I aim planning to apply to Canada (England too) for rehabilitation for two reasons: 1. To travel to those countries. 2. to use the applications to show that I am not a threat. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS MATT
I have never once been embarrassed! Whether Hong Kong, Schengen Europe, or Nepal, I have been cordially welcomed with a Smile!
I traveled to Italy and Portugal last year and leave for Spain next week. No problems for me. You will get your bags searched when you return to USA.
For EU/Schengen countries, I can confirm – no problems going, bags searched upon return.
I have a question about the 21 day international travel notice.
So I am pretty sure Washington State does not follow SORNA and from what I understand the Feds won’t prosecute those who live in non-complying states.
Does anyone have any experience with not reporting your travel plans that lives in a non-complying with SORNA state?
I’ve been wondering the same thing about Washington. I’m a level-1. As such, I don’t appear on the public state registry. Because of that, I don’t appear on the national registry either. While they don’t fully comply with that part of SORNA, all registrants are still required to report international travel. My attorney has made that very clear to me. Not reporting travel can land me in jail. The question becomes whether or not that travel notification by a level-1 gets routed up the chain to all of the various federal agencies or not. The only way to know is to try it out and I just haven’t wanted to risk it yet.
The 21 day notice applies to all states. However, some states don’t send in the paperwork to the US Marshalls/AWC fast enough. A non-compliant SORNA state means that the state doesn’t comply to all SORNA regulations, but they do follow some. I live in NYS and we’re non compliant because for us to be fully compliant it would take up too many resources. But you still have to give the 21 day notice.
New York does not comply, either! New York tells you that you can only give notice 3 to 5 days before your International flight leaves, and would NOT let me apply before! I alternatingly max iut my 90 day stays between Europe and Hong Kong, where I am, now!
When I took my fiance to Sweden/Iceland I sent my reporting agency (county sheriff in WA) well over 21 days notice by certified mail. I then looked at what I had sent and saw some errors. A week later I re-sent the corrected version and when it came time for our trip off we went.
When I returned, I went to the sheriff’s office in order to re-register. They had no clue that I had even gone. I am a paranoid individual when it comes to this shit so I had made copies of my travel notification as well as my itinerary just to cover my butt. They weren’t even interested in seeing them, but sent me on my merry way.
So far, I have read only one post about travel to Europe since the IML notice about revoking passports and the “red notice from AWC” (What is the red notice?” With only one post, does this mean SOs are not traveling? I have asked this question before in an email to the Travel Matrix but got no response? Or will the authorities take away my passport at an airport before I leave the country? I am planning a trip overseas in the Spring. Please, has anyone traveled since the above events?
Yes, in January10.18 I get new passport. My travel was on May,2018. About 1/2 hour before boarding in JFK 6 of ISI approach me searched my all begs in front of all passengers and take my passport away from me, and this was end of my trip. At the some day from State Departmant was sent letter to me informing me to return my passport immediately because it was not mark by authority.
Now I try to apply for new passport but as called passports office and asked for explanation how to be sure that my passport is mark . They told me that thay have nothing to do with.
Any body have some advice for me in this matter I will appreciate.
Where all have you been since you made this post!? I max out my 90 days everywhere I go! Recently, it has been Hong Kong, where I am, now, and Europe!
Definitely need an update on the process. Received my passport in 2011, expires in 2021…conviction in 2013 requiring registration, but nothing as of yet revoking my passport. Looking at destinations for upcoming honeymoon at end of May. Someone please provide info on steps to take for international travel.
Looking Belize or Caribbean. I’ve heard Mexico is out.
any luck going to the Caribbean, I am also looking at Aruba and the Bahamas. Post if you make it in fine..
I’ve been to Bahamas last year. Everything is fine except when you land back on your coast they check you as if you were at the airport.
Made it fine for the last 10 !years to the Bahamas. You will get flagged exiting the Bahamas in Nassau, and taken for Secondary Screening for a few minutes. They will pull you and your partner in together. Ask the you the normal three questions, and then you are on the way home. You should have no problems entering the Bahamas.
What are the normal 3 questions? I haven’t traveled abroud yet but plan to this year or next for the first time to Hong Kong.
Hi Joshua
I am plane on going to Hong Kong this March or Arpil of 2018 did you have any trouble Need Visa Thanks Richard 605-212-8511 [email protected]
I plan to vacation in the Bahamas in August 2018 had any one been to the bahamas in 2018 and what do I do to get there.
Bahamas so far is ok
I was in the Bahamas in April 2018. No issues.
Dominican Republic is a no go. I traveled there July 2017 only to be denied at immigration and placed back on the same plane I arrived on, in which i was flown back to US an hour after arriving to the DR. I had all paid reservations and return flight ticket pre arranged. None of those were factors. Just simply denied by Dominican authority.
We got denied in Punta Cana this year. I would suggest not to go. It will waste you time and money. It’s also embarrassing.
David, do yourself a favor and book a nice stay in Destin Florida at the Topsil resort there. Our situation was a horrible experience on our honeymoon. We arrived to Cancun, they announced his name over the intercom, and he got off the plane. I got off the plane minutes later and was taken to the customs area where I could hear them yelling at my new husband. When I saw him I was so relieved and then that’s when they told us we could not go into Cancun and had to get back onto the airplane. Cried the entire way back. The entire honeymoon was awful and I still think about that day. They would not let me pee so I almost peed my pants I was wearing. I finally snuck to the bathroom feeling like a convict but I wasn’t even the RSO, my husband was. The whole thing was an extremely cold process and I thought of divorce multiple times, but that was 5 years ago. We never try to travel out of the country. I have traveled outside the US, but without him. Do yourselves a favor and keep your honeymoon in the United States. Plenty of beaches here! Don’t end up so miserable and thinking about your honeymoon that never was five years later into your marriage. It’s agonizing.
Just weird. Im an rso and was allowed in mexico and italy in 2017 and 2019
I was just denied entry to Mexico 11-13-19, held in detention for 6 hours and then sent back to point of origin.
John, curious about Mexico, did you have a marked passport upon entry?
I have a question about the marked passports. And in no way do I mean for my question to be rude or mean.
I an RSO but my victim was an adult. Does the mark only apply if the victim was a child?
I have been trying to research what a “covered sex offender” is actually defined as.
The identifier is a passport endorsement, currently printed inside the back cover of the passport book, which reads: “The bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor, and is a covered sex offender pursuant to 22 United States Code Section 212b(c)(l).”
(c) Defined terms
In this section—
(1) the term “covered sex offender” means an individual who—
(A) is a sex offender, as defined in section 21503(f) of title 34; and
(B) is currently required to register under the sex offender registration program of any jurisdiction;
21503(f) of title 34:
§21502. Definitions
3) Covered sex offender
Except as otherwise provided, the term “covered sex offender” means an individual who is a sex offender by reason of having been convicted of a sex offense against a minor.
Better be careful, really stay out of Florida all together. Most all beaches are considered state parks, and in Florida state parks are off limits to SOs. They will lock you up and send you to prison
for trying to enjoy a holiday on the beach!!!
Where all have you traveled to, and where did you go on your Honeymoon?
I max out my 90 days between Europe, and Hong Kong, where I am, now…
Was your offense against a child and do you have that stamp on your passport? Can you give more detail please? On the process and what you did to be able to travel to these places? Who to call? Preparations?
Does anyone know if you fall under no longer having to register if that takes you off the SORNA notification list?
It did for me. I stopped having to register for state or federal about five years ago, and since then I’ve had no problems (although I’ve only gone to the Bahamas and Europe). When I returned I still used to be flagged and my bags always searched, but my most recent trip to Europe in November 2018, upon return I was just waved through.
Ron, did you give the 21 day notice or do you not have to since you don’t have to register anymore?
Yes, it takes you off of SORNA, Guaranteed!
Look at this matrix to see where you might be able to go. But its always a good idea to double check with the embassy for the country you plan to go to. I traveled to Mexico many times in the past but last time I attempted to go I was rejected and returned back on the next flight. Even though I could show them on my passport that I had been there many times, they still denied me entrance. Mexico is definitely out.
If you don’t mind me asking what tier are you?
YEP, Mexico is OUT, BUUUUUUUT Belize, Guatamala, and the French and Dutch Caribbean are ALL IN!
^_^
Been spending winters in Belize with no problem since 2012.
However, when I arrived this past Nov. 29, I was denied entry & sent back on the same plane I arrived on. They have totally removed & replaced the Immigration Dept. due to a long history of corruption & scandal.
My brother has a time-share house in St. Martin in the Caribbean and he’s been wanting my wife and I to go with him. Has anyone had any experiences visiting St. Martin? I’m in the process of getting my passport updated and didn’t want to waste money on the tickets if will be turned away. Thank you to anyone with info, much appreciated.
Here is a thought, if refused entry into a country could a person seek Political Asylum in that country from free of prosecution in the United States? http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/3b66c2aa10 Under the provisions of The 1951 Refugee Convention by the UN? How embarrassing would it be for the US Govt to start having multiple cases of Political Asylum seekers from the oppressive US govt. It is hard to wave the banner of Freedom when that is happening on the international stage.
The way Americans have been brainwashed about s.o.’s I doubt that many would care at all ! (esp. under this president who uses any unpopular group he can get his strange brain around to empower himself.
You have a compelling credible threat argument before an immigration officer, but have documented evidence of the many murders, shooting, and attacks on SO’s in this country.
If you claim political asylum, i believe it has to be the first thing you say to the first immigration officer you meet. Cant try to go through immigration and when they deny you entry change your story to, “i want to claim political asylum” Cant wait to hear of the first registrant do this and then sit down on the floor of the airport. Then refuse to eat until the country begins to respect the person’s human rights!
Hahahaha….
FUNNY, but TRUE!
Or ten thousand of us can do the same on the ssme day!
Carey. I think your spewing B.S. You talk about it in here but then never tell what Countries. So if your going to give out information Please state where, when and how.
Here is another idea. I just saw the comment that Mexico is denying entry for S.O.s. I could see an impromptu peaceful protest to the IML. Operation Cinco de Mayo – As many S.O.s as possible book tickets to Los Cabos, Cancun, Mexico City, wherever in Mexico for the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo) weekend (4th of May to 7th of May). I just looked at tickets and round trip is around $400 bucks. I know everyone can’t afford that, because allot of people are struggling, but if you can, then great. Even if it is just 100 people, can you imagine the political backlash of that many Americans getting turned around at customs on the same weekend? Or better yet an entire flight full of S.O. passengers being turned around? Just be sure to give your jurisdiction the 21 day international travel notice required by the International Megan’s Law (IML). Remember, peaceful, lawful adherence to the laws set forth by our country.
Was thinking of testing the waters by submitting a notice to the New Mexico registry office that I am planning to travel overseas. My strategy is that the registry office would notify Washington DC, which would either initiate a notice to me that my passport is revoked or most likely no message to me at all. Has anyone tried doing this?
FYI: I asked the people at the registry if SOs have been traveling overseas since the threat of the passport identifier. They didn’t even know about the identifier. It also sounds like no SOs we’re traveling international???
Has anyone tried to travel to Tahiti? If so, what was the outcome? How recently?
Many thanks!
Tahiti is a French property and abides by the laws of France. I spoke with the authorities in French Polynesia and have written proof that its fine to enter their country as a RSO. I plan to do so in October, 2018 with my passport and those two emails.
I would like to know how his goes and it you got in and out ok
Who did you reach out to for this? Can you provide the contact information? It would be greatly appreciated!
Tahiti welcomes us with wide open arms!
Tahiti is French, and thus will accept you with wide open arms, as will all of Schengen Europe and their far flung territories!
Very curious, I am on misdemeanor probation until October and had to register in Arkansas. My fiancé and I want to get married in Belize or Aruba. How hard will it be to get a passport and how hard will it be to enter into one of those countries to get married? Any help would be great!
There are no prohibitions on receiving a passport. You probation or parole office should be aware of any intended travel as I’m sure you were informed in any probation/parole instructions/orders that you received. Also there is a 21 day in advance notification that you need to give to whatever agency you register with regarding your overseas travel itinerary. Passports typically last for 10 years for regular citizens but for S/O’s with an offense against a minor; an already issued passport could be cancelled and a new one with an identifier would be issued, having to be renewed every year.
My husband and I travel to Belize all the time you will have no issues
When was the last time you went to Belize?
Belize and Guatemala are FINE, and the ABCs – Aruba/Bonaire/Curacao – and the rest of the European Caribbean Welcome US with Wide Open Arms! And HA LE LU YAH for THAT!!!!!!!
Has anyone tried traveling to Colombia? I have a daughter there, and cannot get a parental visa because I’m not on her birth certificate.
Randy,
I was turned away from Colombia. Speak fluent Spanish, grew up in the country, and love Colombia more than the USA, but was still turned away (albeit apologetically) for a conviction a decade and a half before. I was allowed to spend the night at the hotel airport (though in the morning I believe airline officials were castigated for that).
I provided the requisite travel notice to the Albuquerque SO office for International travel.
This was November of 2016, with attempted entry into Cali.
I am not advocating for breaking laws, although bending them is very ok….
I have been back to the Philippines after being rejected earlier this year… I got a ride on a Sailboat, from Macao! I had no problems as they just stamped my passport at the Port after taking the two crisp hundred dollar bills I had left in the front of my Passport! Sailing is a whole new option for us as you are on the Honor System as to whether you even want to take the chance of checking into the country. I chose to get my Scarlet Passport stamped!
What were your plans if you stayed longer than 30 days?
I am curious about sailing internationally. Can you shed any light on that?
Yes I can Call me 214-624-2552
Paul Rigney
Ex Director, RTAG
I went to Costa Rica 2016 and Dominican Republic 2009. Now I am being told both are no longer permissible. New laws passed 2017. Has anyone heard of this? I am planning a trip to Germany, first trip to Europe. Nervous about potentially getting turned away. IF anyone has been there, please let me know…
You will have no problem with Germany. Costa Rica and Dominican Republic is turning us
away due to the Angel Watch Program
Paul
214-624-2552
Just FYI on Costa Rica – I just went there in April 2018 w/out an issue.. Seems like it’s hit or miss??
A couple of weeks ago the DR sent me back on the next flight.
Wait do you mean you tried going to Costa Rica again. What is DR stand for?
Hey everyone. Currently a level 3 in Oregon. Was a level 2. Went to get re-evaluated and they placed me even higher.. working on the appeal process now which I’ll most likely lose.
I am currently on my last year on probation. I had permission to go to Europe last year for a month. Had no problems with probation letting me go. Didn’t give 21 day notice. Was hassled a bit coming back into the country but wasn’t to bad.
Finally with the love of my life we are looking into the Bahamas and Hong Kong since those seem to be the few countries that I can enter.. can anyone give me any advice about entering these countries or any non European countries for the future. My probation officer said a officer said anyone leaving the country needs to notify the police 21 days before leaving.. wasn’t the case last year. Any advice or help would be amazing. I literally have sooooo much anxiety about traveling. 🙁 I don’t want my passport revoked.
Feel free to call me
214-624-2552
Paul
I was sent back to the States in October of 2018 from Mexico. I can’t begin to tell you hoe humiliated it was. I am rso with a misdemeanor. We have plans to go to Aruba? What needs to be done? Any advice!
There is no 21 day notice in oregon yet. Im a level 1 offender there. The 21 day notice is to be implimented in 2022 from what i understand. At lev 3 id assume your data would be transffered and scrutinized heavily as that is what most states determine to be predatory, id look into a country with a better acceptance rate.or wait the 8 years it takes to potentaly be removed from the list
John. Where ever did you get the information that a level 3 is taken off the registry? I’m a level 3 and I have a lifetime of this B.S. I was convicted in 93 after turning myself in. I served 5 years and 10 on parole. It has been persecution since my release. Every 3 months have to signup at the P.D. and every year send these lazy a-holes 50 bucks for doing nothing. One needs to report to the P.D. when you move, when you get a job, when you quit a job, when you get a car whet kind of car do you drive, where you are going if you plan to travel Etc:Etc: Pure B.S. So I am not free or ever will be until my death. And I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.
I tried going to Costa Rica on a family vacation In 2017. I was stopped in the airport there and summarily returned on the very next immediate flight. They hardly would allow me to speak with my family. I needed to use the restroom and they posted a female guard at the door of my open stall. Very humiliating. Once I got back to LAX I was detained for almost 3 hours before being allowed to leave. Worst experience! I had tried very hard to find out information beforehand but no one at that time could tell me anything, not even the consulate returned my calls. They even read me a letter stating”I was now and forever banned from entering the country of Costa Rica”. Generally they were not mean but it was hard to experience.
Oregon’s international travel notice requirement went into effect January 2021.
Does this apply to RSO with adult victims? My understanding is that we are not flagged by Angel Watch. Do you have any information on that?
I have a question about the marked passports. And in no way do I mean for my question to be rude or mean.
I an RSO but my victim was an adult. Does the mark only apply if the victim was a child?
I have been trying to research what a “covered sex offender” is actually defined as.
The identifier is a passport endorsement, currently printed inside the back cover of the passport book, which reads: “The bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor, and is a covered sex offender pursuant to 22 United States Code Section 212b(c)(l).”
(c) Defined terms
In this section—
(1) the term “covered sex offender” means an individual who—
(A) is a sex offender, as defined in section 21503(f) of title 34; and
(B) is currently required to register under the sex offender registration program of any jurisdiction;
21503(f) of title 34:
§21502. Definitions
3) Covered sex offender
Except as otherwise provided, the term “covered sex offender” means an individual who is a sex offender by reason of having been convicted of a sex offense against a minor.
Yes, it’s true!
Where all have you traveled to since posting this?
I am in Hong Kong, now…
My son lives in Texas and has to travel to Italy for his job. He does not know whom to contact or what he has to do to get permission.
Could you email me the procedure which he needs to follow for him to travel.
He can call me. He should have no problem getting into Italy.
Paul Rigney
214-624-2552
Thanks for your help/advice Paul.
I recently went to Italy from Aug. 10-22. I had no issues whatsoever (except for increased scrutiny upon returning to O’Hare/Chicago).
Rome airport now has automated passport controls. I was a bit nervous it wouldn’t work for me but it did. You scan your passport, get the green light, get your photo taken and out you go. You do stop at a manned booth but they are there to just stamp the passport. I never talked to anyone.
Same thing on the return from Venice. All automated and the agents are there just to stamp passports. So thankfully Europe still seems to be a safe place to go.
Hi! I am looking to travel to Italy in a few months. Did you give the 21 day notice? And do you have the passport identifier?
Thanks so much for any help you can give!
I went to Italy last year. Gave my 21 day notice and did everything correctly. Flew to Rome and had no issues at all. I took a cruise with MSC cruises and they do not turn away RSO’s. I called before booking and they confirmed they do not turn us away.
I highly recommend to never never call the cruise line directly to ask them about
their policy on traveling registrants. The problem is this will eventually give
them the idea to create restrictions.
Have you heard anything about Malaysia
what about entry of turks and caicos. Im taking my wife soon.
Hello Paul,
My name is Francisco i am currently living in New Jersey i am a Tier 1 SO i plan on traveling to Spain in October with my wife 2nd honeymoon. I just want everything to go perfect, i just got of the phone with my parole officer and told me to contact passport to put megans law identifier on my passport. My question is will i have any issues going to Spain maybe even if i want to go to paris, france. Also what is the 21 day notice?
Italy truly does not give a shti, and Welcomes Us! I was in Napoli for two months right before flying back here to Hong Kong….
Hello, I am a rso, dual citizen UK/USA
Served zero jail time 2 yrs probation Florida registered, victim was under 16 but zero physical contact, visual crime (👀), I am wanting to move back to Italy permanently, would the best way be under US passport, or UK, and can I do that.
Hi everyone. My fiance cannot travel to my country, the Philippines. I am running out of leaves having to travel to the US so we are planning on meeting in Hong Kong instead as we saw the travel matrix reveals it is okay for him to travel there with no hassle.
Does he need to file for a 21-day notice so he won’t get into trouble in the US (leaving/coming back ) when he will be gone for less than 10 days anyway? He is on Tier 3. Someone told him it’s okay as long as travel doesn’t exceed 10 days? Help pls. Bless you all!
Hi Kamille, I just want to ask if everything went well with your fiance entering Hong kong? because that’s also our plan this year, since my husband has the same case with your fiance..thanks in advance
How did it all work out!??
I am in Hong Kong, now…
Carey…was in Hong Kong in July with no issues…the demonstrations were just beginning….how was the check in at immigration for you now?
Hi does anyone know if Hong Kong is a suitable place for so? We plan to go there me and my Filipino gf
My Filipino wife and I went to Hong Kong in November of 2016 and for 2 weeks at the end of Dec. 2017. We were detained in customs and questioned for about an hour each time as to the intentions of the trip, where we would be staying, what my job was in the u.s., how much money I was bringing, How much were my wages, etc. I took a pay stub with me and they still asked for more proof of my job in the u.s. Be sure and have a hotel room reserved and a copy of the reservation itinerary. They asked both of our trips for it. After about an hour of being detained and questioned, we were allowed entry into Hong kong and no problems after that. It’s kind of an expensive place to stay but in our first visits back in 2011 or around that time, we took the bus everywhere or MRT wherever we could, ate soups and cookies instead of eating out and stayed in the cheap Hostels. Now we stay in nice hotels, ride in taxi’s and eat at nice restaurants. I loved it both ways since I got to be with my wife for an adventure. Good luck!
Thanks for the feedback!
Happy hk is still accepting ,minus the hassle. It’ll be my first time there, are you American ?
Hi Bruce. I have two questions. First, do you know if your interrogation was due to your RSO status? Second, what would happen if you then flew out (say, the next day) to another nearby country, such as Taiwan? Would Taiwan do a background check and then turn you away?
How was your trip? I am in Hong Kong, now, and alternate maxing out my 90 day stays between Europe and here!
@Carey
I know I won’t get an answer to this question, but I am curious, how are you able to afford traveling back & forth so much between HK & Europe?! My dream is to find an African country or 3 and just stay there for the rest of my life. But my wallet says no…lol
Is this all you can say?
Also me and her are planning a trip next year to Egypt for 3 weeks, are they okay with SO coming?
One heard good things about it but I’d like to hear more experiences
Egypt is perfectly fine. No problems whatsoever as of Jan2016. Just increased scrutiny upon return to JFK.
What happened with Egypt?
Have you heard anything about traveling to Russia!??
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My fiance’ lives in the Philippines. I went to visit her in June 2018 but was turned back. I need to know of a country where we can meet to satisfy US immigration law without being turned away because of IML requirements to warn the country of my arrival. I am thinking Malaysia but need to know for sure before I spend the several thousand dollars for our tickets and hotel. Does anyone know about this?
James, just by looking at the Travel Matrix on this website under info, Hong Kong is the only country which has all “no” under the categories. If I were you, I would contact RTAG directly [Email: [email protected] or Phone: 1.972.638.0651] to verify that instead of waiting on them to read and respond to your post as it has been six days already and no one has responded.
You are right about Hong Kong. You can call me at 214-624-2552
I was just in Hong Kong and no problems at all. I’m not sure if you’ve already traveled but hopefully this helps. If you know anyone who has been in Malaysia with no trouble I’d like to hear about that. I have lived in Malaysia but not since 2012.
Yes, me too. I’d like to confirm if Malaysia is still good too.
Joshua, I am glad to hear about your trip to Hong Kong being no problem. I have tried to find out about Malaysia with no success. I even sent an email to Malaysia immigration (twice) and they ignored me both times after saying they would respond within 3 days. My main concern is being turned away because of the IML warning to the destination country. Right now Hong Kong appears to be my best bet. Did you give your registering authority notice of your trip?
Was in Malaysia for at least a month in 2017 and no problem whatsoever. Just show up and go in like everyone else.
However, it is my understanding that you have to be in HongKong for a certain length of time before you can get married and I have heard that the USA the Phillipines will not allow you to bring your wife home even if your legally married.
I know someone who has been in love with this girl from Indonesia and they have abandoned any hopes of getting together. He was stopped in Singapore from going any further because Indonesia would not allow him to visit her.
My extended family and wife are looking at traveling to St. Martin Island in the next year and wondered if anyone had any experiences with traveling there? My brother owns a place on the Dutch side. Thank you for any feedback!!
So far no problems with St Martin
Looking to go to Aruba. Haven’t received anything regarding my current passport which has no identifying marker on it. Can anyone provide feedback on Aruba?
aloha..i am looking for an attorney located in Hawaii on the Island Of Maui to assist me in filing a motion for dismissal of the requirement to register as a civil matter and to challenge the constitutionality of the Hawaii registry specifically..every attorney, the AG office, the county prosecutor’s office, claims to be unaware of such a process, even when i show them the statute.
then to challenge the absurdity of SORNA to retain removed individuals and thus maintain the need to register…no one can give me any statistics on number of petitions, outcomes, etc…AG office has (if any) but has never released…mahalo.
Are there certificates of rehabilitation available for anyone who has a sex crime conviction, or is it only for certain people? And Is it something that I can get here in Michigan? If so, please tell me how I start this process. Thank you
Hello. I just got back from 12 days in Italy. Flew into Rome and home from Venice, with a stop in Florence along the way.
No issues at all. At the Rome Airport the passport control is automated now. You scan your passport, it gives you a green light, then you move up where they take your picture. After that you go to the manned booth where they stamp your passport. I didn’t talk to one Immigration Officer at all.
It was the same when leaving Venice. That airport also has automated passport machines and I did the same thing. Very easy and smooth process with no hassle.
Per usual the only real hassle came back in the States at O’Hare. This time it was more intrusive than usual. Thankfully I didn’t take a computer with me. I suggest NOT taking one when you travel unless absolutely necessary.
They did search my cell phone going through all my emails, messages, accounts, etc. Took about 30-35 minutes. Eventually I was let go and back home now.
Im pretty sure them searching through your cell phone is highly illegal unless your on probahtion. I would have asked for a warrent
Am going to Paris for a week in Sep
I was removed from the registry as of 2015
Assume no entry problem?
You should have no problems
Accidentally put last name,can u please remove it 😕
What happens if you travel abroad and DON’T comply with the 21 day notice? I went to the DR in 2016, didn’t report the travel and returned 7 days later. CBP pulled me aside when we got back but all they did was to check that my registration was up to date and let me go. 5-10 extra minutes and off I went. But that was before IML. Wonder what would happen now.
Call me and we can discuss
214-624-2552
Paul
Hi- I want to add that RSO’s are a disenfranchised and highly discriminated group. Anyone registered is automatically labeled “a baby rapist,” and more… My husband had no prior’s of any type of felony or physical or sexual abuse, when a woman set him up for “touching her niece over her clothes for 20 seconds.” He did not get representation, the girls was not interviewed and the DA pressured him into taking a deal, scaring him with their own inadequacies and that he could potentially serve 8-10 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. When we was incarcerated in jail, she sold off all of his possessions and drained his bank accounts. The point that some who are a RSO may have to register for a myriad of reasons, some have been on the registry for 20+ years, and most are not a threat to society, yet they are subjected along with their families to a loss of constitutional rights, social isolation, and cruel treatment. He has been an RSO now for 14+ years. One- Does anyone know how difficult the process is to get off the registry? Can you go to a different state and work there to get off the registry? Also, we desperately want to go to Italy, Spain and maybe Greece, can RSO’s travel to these countries? More so Italy? Any input would be greatly appreciated! Lastly, I am a clinical psychologist and I have been unable to find work in our area due to my being married to an RSO…I despise the RSO’s being labeled as pedophiles as most people are not aware of the diagnostic criteria of pedophilia. Things need to change and I hope that there is an active movement somewhere to help RSO’s get back their lives. Thank you.
I believe that if you move to Georgia and live in Fulton County in Atlanta, They have the highest rate of removal from the Registry. This is according to an Attorney I spoke with.
That doesn’t take you off the registry in your home state when you move right?
21 years now, and I never touched anyone, child walked into my Fenced back yard and SEEN ME undressed,ZERO contact, ZERO attempt at contact, arrested for who knew what, threatened with many years in prison and placement in a mental home if I didnt take a plea deal, i did ZERO jail time, 2 years probation RSO for life, found out after the SA had actually tried to throw the case out twice, but they kept perusing it and finally got me to plea out.
I DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO ANYONE , RSO FOR 21 YEARS NOW. I’m a dual UK/USA citizen im leaving and never looking back, soon.
Has anyone applied for a new passport with the unique identifier? If so what form did you use? I’m needing a new one since mine was revoked early in the year and I can’t find information anywhere about which form to fill out when I do it.
I applied for a new passport last year and got it in about 4 weeks. No identifiers,typical passport. Plan on using it in December when I get off probation. Holding my breath!
Hello. I recently got back from 12 days in Italy without issue. I flew into Rome on August 10 and returned August 22 from Venice, to Chicago.
Rome Airport now has automated passport controls/checks. I was a bit nervous about this as I didn’t want to cause a scene if my passport was flagged by the system. However it was quick and easy. I scanned my passport, it gave me a green arrow go ahead, took my picture and I was off. I did have to stop at a manned booth but all they did there was stamp my passport. No issues whatsoever. The process was the same on departure from Venice.
Per usual I got hammered up arrival in Chicago. A long wait in secondary screening, tons of questions, a search of my bags and cellphone—frustrating as hell but eventually I was on my way.
Thanks everyone for all the contributions.
Did you give 21 day notice to law enforcement before traveling?
Do you have a stamp on your passport? My husband I are hoping to travel Italy next year. He no longer has to register as he was convicted of an offense against a child when he was a minor. We would be flying into Milan and out of Naples.
Some day I will die and go to heaven, and my Chief Local Law Enforcement Official will send a notification to the Pearly Gates that I am a Registered Sex Offender. And the notification will be duly returned to said official stamped with the following: “NOT ANY MORE – GO F**K YOURSELF”
I love this. This is the Gods Truth!
I just read yesterday on NARSOL’s website that Ohio is trying to pass a law that family of SO’s will be added to the registry.this will open the door to abuse defined by politicians. Anarchy is coming!
Has anyone received a letter from the U.S. Department of State revoking their passport and gone on to apply for a new one? (I got my letter today).
I just applied and received my new passport. I’m an RSO, but I don’t see any identifier on the new passport, unless its invisible. Gonna leave this country in 2 months, and never return. I’m done here.
Where you off to?
Has anyone gotten the new marked passport? If so have you traveled anywhere? What is the duration of the new marked passport?
I was in hong kong in feb 2018 got secondary screening but allowed in to visit my philippine wife and parents that were arriving shortly after me. Upon return to the US my passport was revoked at customs. Now in process of getting new passport
On my way To Hong Kong in 10 days , I’ll report back how it turns it out
Singapore looks like a good place too , any feedback ?
Cody, how was your trip to Hong Kong? Did you experience any problems with the IML requirements? I want to meet my Filipino fiance there in January and need to know if I can get in.
No problem with hk or Macau at all
Sorry for late reply
Singapore is off limits… I was turned around, even though I was there in 2010 and had been there 22 times during my business career, I am a level 1, live in NJ, but NY state conviction, no person contact.. I didn’t know I was suppose to advise 21 days in advance,,, I was invited to Sing by a prior business associate he paid for ticket. This is my 20th year, so when I do my NY mail registry, I am suppose to be done.. hoping the non advisory situation doesn’t bite me in the ass
Hi TS,
Did you notify your jurisdiction of your travel to the Philippines?
Yes, I notified my registering authority about my trip, got a travel letter saying is was ok for me to go. However, IML requirements to notify the destination country flagged me in the Philippines and I was immediately turned back using my return flight ticket. What I don’t understand about all this is they knew I was coming and surely the US knew they wouldn’t let me in. They had all my info so why didn’t someone call and tell me don’t go, or don’t come? Instead, I wasted two thousand dollars for nothing. It was completely punitive.
I received my new passport in March of this year and I can’t find any makers on it. I am an level 2 registered in Arkansas. Husband and I hoping to travel to Caribbean spring of next year, wondering if they will/can revoke my passport, even though they just renewed it this year. (Why wouldn’t they have just kept it??). Can anyone speak to this? Thanks.
I go to Brazil once or twice a year, usually with my Brazilian wife. In 2012 I applied for permanent residency. It was granted in 2014 but I started being hassled upon entry in 2015. I hired a local lawyer who was able to get me clearance from the Federal Police–off their list of “wanted and impeded” travelers. Now whenever I go I am held briefly at immigration until the officer goes off and checks my status, then clears me and stamps my passport. Now I have to apply for a new passport and am afraid that the marking may make it harder to get in. I feel very fortunate to be able to travel to my second country. I own a home there and am very committed to Brazil. Hope I have no problems in he future.
I have seen a lot of posts of people being denied from going to Brazil.. Could you explain your process on travelingplease. Do you report 21 days before your travel? How do you go about getting in?
hello I am sorry I missed your post. You must give 21 days notice to your registering agency.
Brazil is currently turning registrants away,
Why not just move there!!!?
Planning on going to Aruba in late Spring of 2019. I received a new passport in April of 2018 with no marking on it. I am a tier/level 2 RSO in Arkansas. Prior to 2016, and since my conviction in 2008, I have traveled to: Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Guatemala and Mexico. In 2016 I tried to go to Mexico again and was turned away (literally landed and was immediately put back on a flight headed right back to LAX). I’ve read in a feed a few trying Aruba and wanted to know of any tips. Also, someone mentioned telling the ‘state department’ or ’embassy’ before I go. Can you please clarify that? I will let my local Police know (who I check in with yearly), but who else am I required to notify? Someone also recommended getting a ‘pre-screening pass’ for check in. Has anyone tried that??
Hi, Angela!
I am looking to travel to Aruba during the same time! I will pass along any info I find! Please do the same. Good luck!
Here is a thought. I recently completed an 8 year probation for Sexual Assault(Minor age 14) which is a Second Degree felony in the state of Texas. The way the situation played out was very unfortunate and I had to accept a punishment no matter what. So I chose the 8 year Deferred Adjudication probation in which I completed successfully. Upon completion, the charge was dismissed. However, I still legally have to register as a sex offender annually. A few months ago, I applied for my passport and received it via mail within 4 weeks. From what all the forums are telling me, sex offenders are supposed to have a special stamp that reads the following, “The bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor, and is a covered sex offender pursuant to 22 United States Code Section 212b(c)(l).” My passport does NOT contain anything notifying anyone of my sex offender status. My bet is that the statement above would be an invalid statement because I was legally NOT convicted of any felonies. I am just simply required to maintain notifications in accordance with the SORNA. Any thoughts on this?
Hello Call me we can discuss.
Paul
214-624-2552
Please call me
Paul
214-624-2552
Is there a way to see a list of all the countries safe to travel to? And is it possible to move to these places? Has anyone tried United arab emerites?
Call me and I can discuss. A list of countries is on the website.
Pau Rigney 214-624-2552
Just traveled to Spain today. Flew to Barcelona via Madrid. I was told I’d go through customs in Barcelona, but when I left the terminal When i landed in Madrid i went through what I assume was customs. I say “assume” because it was a BREEZE! Nobody there at 9:30 am, walked directly to a bored looking dude who looked at my passport for two seconds and handed it back. Wow! I know not to expect the same on my return, but so for I LOVE SPAIN.
Hi. We are going to Spain via Madrid. Can I talk to you about this? Thanks!
I booked at 30 day tour of S America for fall 2019 but have since learned that I won’t be allowed to enter Brazil. Does anyone know if Peru would be a problem too. The list of problem countries begins with Kenya and ends with the Marshall Islands? I don’t see any South or Central American countries listed?
I flew in to Heathrow in May 2017 for a 32 day tour of Europe. From there I traveled to Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, France, Spain and back to London. I had no issues with access or egress any place I visited.
I enjoyed the experience so much that I planned a 27 day tour of England, Ireland and Scotland with a 5 day trip to Paris Disneyland and a return to London for a 7 night Beatles Pilgrimage tour. When I landed at Heathrow this year a nervous immigration agent asked if I was supposed to have permission to travel. He also asked if Iwasn’t required to have a visa to travel. I was removed from the line and interrogated. My bags were searched in twice. I was fingered printed and photographed and returned back to the US later that afternoon on my dime. I was not allowed to have my passport or the plane ticket returned until after clearing British airspace.
When I was being interrogated I asked why I’d been allowed to enter with no issues in 2017 the agent said that my name probably hadn’t been added to the list yet? I doubt that this was true. I suspect that I’d encountered a more compassionate, less nervous agent on my prior trip.
This experience opened some very old wounds, and at first I’d decided that I was going to give up on the idea of international travel. But I subsequently changed my mind. I’m traveling to Spain in a couple of weeks. Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin in February and Greece in April.
But I’m concerned about the S America trip and was thinking about changing the tour to a trip to only Peru. But I can’t find any information about South and/or Central America other than no Mexico or Brazil?
Hello I just notice your post. Call me when you casn,
Paul 214-624-2552
What was your original offense? Against a minor/child? How old was it?
Ok, What a nightmare. So I am a convicted sex offender for a case in Georgia outlive in CT, and my wife and two daughters live in Estonia. I have permission form my PO, and the judge here to travel, State police registry has been notified and they in turn have notified SORNA/because when I call them they know of my intended travel. I was issued a new passport in March of this year with no stamp in it, and also have never rcvd a revocation letter or anything….Nobody at DHS or Angel Watch center will answer me and keeps sending me to State Dept., and State Dept sends me back to Angel Watch, it’s a circle jerk. I have no idea if I need to get this stamp or if they will turn me away at the airport and nobody is giving me any answers, just absurd. Does anybody know what I am supposed to do?
Well, I am fully in this nightmare now, thanks for all the great posts. State sends you to DHS who in turn send you back to them and around and around it goes. My wife and children are in Estonia, and the Schengen countries are reasonable, like here in this country, complete police state. Was sent a new passport in March with no wording on the endorsement page and nobody now can give me an answer definitively that I must have it, in fact State told me there are no notes on my file and that they are aware I am planning to go out of the country. The whole thing is very F’d up, just like the entire registration system. Civil Commitment and stepping stones for fear mongering politicians and govt. coffers. Cruel and Unusual, damn right. There are a lot of Americans in this boat now, and something will have to give, because it’s insane.
How qre thry legally allowed to search your phone when you re enter the US? I read above that they did that. Has this happen to anyone else?
In the three times I’ve received the second level of TSA scrutiny on reentry they have never shown any interest in examining my phone. Yet.
I think that they would have to have probable cause, or a warrant for that… What have others experienced?
They do not have to have probable cause at US Customs, they can search anything, including any electronic devices for any or no reason at all. This is not just for SOs, they consider this ‘search’ protecting the US. My advice is NEVER bring a computer, and make sure your device has nothing that can bring up any concerns with them at all. Now that I think about it, might be good to have a second phone just for travel!
Has anyone traveled to French Polynesia? I would like to go there with my husband who is an RSO. He obtained a passport in January 2018 with no marker.
I want to go to Zambia next year. i need to make a few stops since no direct flights there. will i have any trouble switching flights in different airports? one of the connections is in dubai any suggestions for possible safe city routes?
I am going to the Bahamas. I was wondering. Will I have a issue.
Hello Joe You should have no issues in Bahamas
Thank You for that info!
I was born in Mexico, and my American partner got flagged at MEX airport upon arrival in 2014 soon after Interpol started sending notices. We both live in Texas.
He was elegible to be removed from the SO list based on the age of the event (he was a minor) and the fact that Texas had enacted a new Romeo and Juliet law. However, we hadn’t started the process.
Upon arrival to MEX, he was detained, photographed and put on the plane back to the US.
Soon after, we contacted an attorney and he was removed from the SO list. Since then, we’ve been lucky to travel to many countries with no issues including several that don’t allow sex offender registrants like Brazil and Costa Rica.
However, he still isn’t allowed to visit Mexico. We tried going back 12 months ago to Puerto Vallarta and he got flagged again when his passport was scanned.
We were told he had been denied entry to MEX in 2014 and forced to sign some documents acknowledging the event. He was flown back to Mexico immediatey.
We spoke to several very kind US agents over the phone who confirmed that this wasn’t an Interpol or DHS-related flag.
Because of the 2014 incident, he was put in some Mexican database as part of the “Angel Guardian” program and his name/passport has been permanently flagged as a felon.
The immigration agents didn’t not understand or cared that he was removed from the SO list even though we had a copy of the judge’s order.
This is extremely frustrating because I have family in Mexico he hasn’t been able to visit.
Does anyone have any advice? Thank you.
Hello I can help you with this. Call me at 214-624-2552 Paul
i called u paul and left message
Hey! I notice you answer a lot of questions. What is your role? Just an expert on this sort of thing. My husband is a RSO.
is there a identifier on a rso passport card.
You can’t get a passport card because the State Dept. can’t put an identifier on it.
Can I ask for your email address please.
Do you have any info on how we can do what your friend did on getting off the SO list because of his age and being a minor, we live in Texas also. Any assistance I would greatly appreciate. [email protected]
We got sent back in nov from mexico but my husband refused to sign anything!
I BELIEVED THAT HE USE THE SAME PASSPORT THAT WHY HE WAS DENIED ENTRY WHEN HE WENT BACK 12 MONTH LATER HE NEEDED TO GET A NEW PASSPORT WITH A NEW NUMBER EVERY PASSPORT HAS A NEW NUMBER YOU MUST BE NOT BE A COVERED SEX OFFENDER
THIS EXPLAINED WHAT IS A COVERED SEX OFFENDER http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title22-section212b&num=0&edition=prelim ALSO CHECK THE NATIONAL SEX OFFENDER WEBSITE
https://www.nsopw.gov/ GOOD LUCK
I decided that I wasn’t going to let my experience in London stop me from going on my other trips. On Friday I traveled to Spain for a 9 day vacation. At customs I was stopped for a totally different reason (according to them). In the end I had the same experience but much worse. I was interrogated, detained in a filthy airport jail and flown back to the US the next day.
When I gave the man at customs my passport he looked at it, looked at his computer screen, and asked if it was my only passport, or if I had another one? I was questioned several times and I was told that there was a problem with my passport?
They held an “interview” where I was provided an interpreter and lawyer and grilled about travel visa documents. Unfortunately, Delta had demanded that I check my carry on bag at the last moment so I was only able to grab my passport, phone and boarding passes before I lost contact with my carry on until I was able to pick it up in Madrid. I told them that I had the traveler handbook from Globus in my bag, and I could show that to them if they would get it, or allow me to get it. They refused and stated that I needed to have the travel visa documents (which I didn’t have because I was not advised that I’d need a visa) on my person. They also asked about how much money I had brought with me. I said I was carrying 100 Euros and two credit cards with 20,000 in available credit and a debit card with 3,000 + in available cash. That wasn’t good enough. They stated that I needed to provide bank statements and evidence of my retirement annuity and social security when visiting the Schengen area. When I said that no one had indicated that I needed to provide detailed financials for a short tour that I prepaid the interrogator responded that the tour companies were only interested in taking my money. I asked several times what was allegedly wrong with my passport and the immigration interviewer stated that the problem was that I needed all of this other information. He noted that I had been denied entry in England in September and asked if it was for the same reason. When I told him, no, the reason I was denied entry in England was for a federal crime that I spent a year and a half in prison for, he insisted that this current denial was not related to going to prison, and that he did not have access to this information anyway. The lawyer said up front that that they would deny entry, but she could appeal it. They denied entry so she got permission for us to access my confiscated phone and provide them with documents from Globus and Travelog travel verifying the tour information, flights and invoice. She filed an appeal with the supporting documentation and I never received any notification of what transpired after that.
I was picked up on 12/2 and escorted outside. I was ordered to enter the back of a prisoner transport vehicle which was totally separated from the cab,with molded plastic seats, no seat belts, no lighting and no windows. There was a tiny area on the exterior of the cell where there we many small round openings that I could almost see through. The cell was filthy with empty wrappers, waste an refuse all over. The floor was so filthy it was black. When they began driving they were making some really fast turns, causing me to fly around and it was difficult to remain steady and seated. I quickly became nauseous and began vomiting, all the while turning my head in an attempt to try not to be covered in my own puke. After 5 minutes the vehicle stopped and the door opened. We were parked in a garage by the looks of it and the two guards were standing there with a stack of paper towels and a roll of toilet and ordering me to “clean it”. The male guard pointed to a camera in the corner of the cell, indicating that they had caught me throwing up in their vehicle. I knew that they didn’t speak English, but I told them that their driving had made me ill. “Clean it” So I took a couple of swipes on the floor and showed them the now black with filth paper towel. They locked the door and drove for another 5 minutes before stopping the vehicle. I could see that we were parked on the tarmac next to a large plane. After around 10 minutes of sitting, freezing in my shirt sleeves I was released and the male guard began shouting in Spanish and pointing at the other side of the stairs to the plane. He wanted me to take the crud filled paper towels and throw them away in a small trash can attached to the side of the stairs. He stood there glowering at me, and climbed up to the plane. I was met by a Delta red coat who was wonderful. I dealt with many awful people in this experience but this man was kind, gracious and compassionate. He was the human high point to my short nightmare experience in Spain.
I’ve cancelled all of my future trips out of the country. No need to attempt to experience the world with an open heart if people are not going to be kind to me. Some one suggested that I contact an immigration lawyer, but I’m not convinced that this problem can be unraveled.
All of this happened in Spain? Is your crime against a minor/child? Who paid for the flight back? Did you get all of your luggage?
Yes. No. They cancelled my tour return flight and sent me back on my own dime. Yes.
Has anyone been to Hong Kong in the last few months? I want to go in January and need to know if I can get in with the IML requirements. I have emailed [email protected] for info TWICE with no response. I see one person went in February but no details. I need to buy my ticket soon.
Hong Kong should be fine was there very recently. Though the questioning process is getting more in depth then it used to be. I do have a marked passport(heil hitler… er I mean god bless the USA)
I am going to try flying to Hong Kong on April 1st, from HNL.
I just got back from Hong Kong 2 weeks ago. My passport has no identifier on it. I had no problems getting in. Not even a question. They granted me 90 days stay. Also, coming back to the US I wasn’t questioned. Everything went smoothly.
Im planning a trip to Belize this in April 2019. Any problems entering Belize?
I traveled to Belize in 2013 without any problems. I contacted them ahead of time which is no guarantee and was told there was no problem with my offence. Stamped on entry, have a nice stay. Of course returning to USA was 3 hour delay
I was there in Sept for a full week – No problem at all.
Chris,
I had a trip planned to Belize for Monday (December 24) and was called today informing me that I would not be granted entry. My offense was a misdemeanor from 2012. Everything I have read about Belize made it seem like a safe option, which is why I chose that destination. So something has changed. Obviously International Megan’s Law is active. However, other responses claim to have travelled this past year (or months). The only other thing I can think of is that Belize just enacted their own registry.
Who were you called by?
Adam,
I received a call from the airline my ticket was booked through that they were contacted by Belize customs stating I wouldn’t be allowed in.
Jim,
That is very interesting and I appreciate the information. Dó you or anyone else know about Venezuela or Trinidad? Those are mentioned on list of countries this site has posted. Thanks
I went to Belize in November of 2018 and was detained for 3 hours upon arrival. Upon 3 hours of non-stop questioning, they finally allowed me to vacation there. They were much more pleasant than United States customs however, I really thought they weren’t going to let me stay. I vacationed there in November of 2017 without any problems. I had no idea about the new laws/changes so I didn’t know why I was detained or subjected to the interrogation. I just received my letter from the Department of State yesterday informing me that I had to surrender my passport. Up until then, I couldn’t figure out what had changed. My charge is from almost 23 years ago so some days I almost forget about it until something like this slaps me in the face. I would be very hesitant to travel to Belize knowing what I went through.
I flew to the Dominican Republic from Puerto Rico this past November. I of course was denied entry and returned to Puerto Rico the next fight. Will this issue be resolved with entry once off the registry? I’ll be eligible to get off in 3 years Jan 2022 if the world lasts that long.
I got off the registry in 2012 and traveled internationally for the first time since then to Germany, earlier this year. German customs didn’t seem to have any special message on their screen when they scanned my passport, just glanced at the screen then stamped it, and U.S. passport control on the way back also didn’t seem to have any message either and stamped and waived me on with no hassle. When I used to be registered and would return to the U.S., every single time they’d stare at the screen and send me off for a secondary search, and it was always a big ordeal and they’d type a bunch of stuff on the computer. Not any more though, at least on the U.S. side.
How did you get off the registry and what state?
Our entire large family have made plans to go to Mexico in December to celebrate my 75th birthday. My son is a registered SO, 12 years ago, and I am scared to death that he will be denied entry after reading several posts of other peoples experiences. We went to the DR 5 years ago and he did not have a problem. It will be DEVASTATING if he gets turned back. Any feedback?
Sounds to me like Mexico is simply a no go for RSO’s.
He most definitely will be sent back to the U.S. We tried to go to Puerta Villarta a couple of years ago after my husband had already been to Cabo 2 times before without issue (2013 and 2015). In 2017 when we tried PV, he was denied access and we were put on the return flight that we had just arrived on. Got most of my money back from hotel etc b/c it was made w/Costco Travel, but not all of it. We went about 3 months ago to the local MX Embassy to see if MX had relaxed the entry once again for RSO, showing passport stamps from MX visits in the past, but they said he would be denied again. Were told by someone else the only place we could likely go in MX would be driving across over to Rocky Point. We haven’t tried that as yet. I don’t want to pay for a VRBO or what have you and then be turned back even trying to drive through.
Did you ever figure out a way to get into Mexico? Is driving to Mexico a better option than flying?
The reason why RSOs are flagged while using air travel is because AWC relies on flight data. All aircraft passenger manifests are electronically submitted to be run against Federal no-fly and Interpol databases (this is due to 9/11). The same for cruise ships; the reason why you have to board 3 hours before departure is because they run the passenger list through the FBI database.
However, trains, buses and many border crossings don’t use electronic databases. So its harder for AWC to track.
I am going to Budapest next October and my spouse called every airport that we will be having layover’s in. What she found out from Schipohl in the Netherlands, Frankfort Germany, and Budapest is that as long as I do not have any current alerts in the system (ie: warrants) I am good to go. My advice for all of you is to call the airport police at each destination airport and explain that you are a RSO wishing to travel. If you call consulates, they will just tell you to call airport police.
Scott,
Do you have the phone numbers to the Frankfurt and Schipol? That would help us. We plan to go to Austria and are connecting through there. Also, on your flight back, did you clear customs in the US?
We are going to Italy next year with a layover in Frankfurt. Hoping we don’t have any issues based off comments here. Any further info would be appreciated.
You shouldn’t have any problem with Germany or Italy, I am a New York State RSO and have traveled frequently and recently to Europe and there is never any issue, I have been turned away from Mexico, Dominican Republic, Canada, Brazil, but the US doesn’t have Europe in it’s pocket and I think it will remain that way. Safe travels.
@ Lindsay, U.S. travelers required to register for past sexual offenses should not have a problem traveling to and/or entering any of the 26 embercountries of Europe’s Schengen Agreement. I
am a Registrant and have been able to enter Sweden and France on recent (2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018) vacations.
Here is a list of the Schengen Agreement’s 26 member countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
‘Wishing you happy travels! 🙂
Just traveled to Norway by way of Schipol Dec 2018 as rso had zero problems at all. Was slightly delayed returning to US but only very slightly. Once you enter a Schengen Country you dont really pass through passport control exactly when traveling to other Schengen countries. Your passport will be stamped in the first one you arrive in and it is good for all schengen nations
Thank you! Hope your trip was pleasant.
I am traveling from US to Spain THROUGH Amsterdam in July. In fact all three legs of my trip go through Amsterdam but only worried about initial entry. So you are saying you had ZERO issues? My passport is brand new but has no identifiers on it.
Thank You for that information!!!
I want to travel to the Virgin Islands in March from the US. I was on Pa Megans but now off. In the time I was on megans I traveled to Florida and had to register. Now they have me listed on theirs even Though I don’t live there. I only vacationed there for a week..Am I going to have problems. Also Ill be traveling to Mexico. Whats my situation there.
According to comments and experiences, Mexico is certainly out.
Has any RSO turned away from India? I see the matrix shows yes but never saw any post saying that. I am currently on a deferred adjudication probation and got the permission from the judge to travel to India for family reasons. Just wondering if anyone had any issues entering India. Looking forward to hear from you.
I tried to travel to india in January 2018, and was denied entry. Flew into Mumbai airport.
I would like to travel to India. Has anyone denied entry while landing in India? I am an Indian origin(born in India) but no longer have Indian passport and I only have USA passport. All I have is something called OCI(Oversees citizen of India which has life long visa. I would like to connect with someone who is in similar situation to find out their travel experience.
I would like to travel to India. Has anyone denied entry while landing in India? I am an Indian origin(born in India) but no longer have Indian passport and I only have USA passport. All I have is something called OCI(Oversees citizen of India which has life long visa. I would like to connect with someone who is in similar situation to find out their travel experience.
Has anyone has any experience traveling and no longer being required to register? My husband has been off registration for 6 years and I was told by the US Marshalls office that the passport requirement would not apply to him. But they can’t guarantee the laws of other countries. This leads me to believe that the passport will report something as to criminal background but I can’t find anything online about it.
Any luck Lindsay?
I’ve been off the registry for years. No problems in Europe, just coming back into the US. Some countries are connected to the US databases (I think England is one, I know Canada and Mexico are) so they know all about your past.
Richard
I am going to travel to Hong Kong to meet up with my Fiance from the Philippines any trouble for any one
Just returned from hong kong have been 3 times. They did seem to be asking more questions this time but allowed me entry. This was the first time with the marked passport.
I heard HKG is definitely still in play for us!
Richard L
Paul is there a study on how many Veterans are on the Registry and yes all of us need to show are power to get get ride of this registry .
@ Lindsay, U.S. travelers required to register for past sexual offenses should not have a problem traveling to and/or entering any of the 26 member countries of Europe’s Schengen Agreement. I
am a Registrant and have been able to enter Sweden and France on recent (2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018) vacations.
Here is a list of the Schengen Agreement’s 26 member countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
‘Wishing you happy travels! 🙂
Thank you! I appreciate the info.
im wanting to move to cambodia. Anyone see any issues there? rso was a misemeanor
Cambodia will refuse you, now!
I lived in Cambodia from 2015-2017. Went back for visit and was refused entry in Sept.2018.
Does anyone know if Cuba will turn a RSO around? Entering Colombia, you’re at the mercy of the immigration officer on duty.
yes, Cuba will now turn you away. I have been there more then 40 times in 20 years and been an RSO for 16 of them but as of January 2018 I was turned away.
I am planning to travel to Thailand in 2020. Any problems getting in?
If you are subject to IML you won’t get in. There were four uniformed security people waiting for me as I came down the ramp from the plane. They showed me the letter they received from the friendly Angel Watch people. Angel Watch was also kind enough to include a blown-up mugshot of me from some website which claimed that I was a dangerous child sex predator, which is no where even close to the truth. I was traveling with my Thai wife to visit her family.
Do not go in to Thailand directly from the U.S., that’s how you’ll get turned back. If you go in from another country you’ll have better luck.
Will be visiting Hong Kong in October. Would love to visit Disney world. Has anyone had a problem visiting Disney world as a sex offender?
Not to sound facetious, but do you have I am a SO tattooed anywhere on your body? Stop living your Life in FEAR! Traveling is one thing, but what you do for fun is not regulated!
I just returned from Hong Kong. My passport has no identifier. Hong Kong immigration didn’t even ask me any questions and granted me 90 days to stay. Even returning to the US I wasn’t questioned. Everything went very smoothly.
Just don’t get an annual pass and you’re fine. Disney does do registry check on annual pass holders.
Hello everyone and thank you for being such a good, supportive and informative community. I am an RSO in WA state and recently applied for and received my passport. I cannot for the life of me find any marker on it indicating my status. Is it a more subtle hidden thing, or just a digital “red flag” that appears on scanning at an airport? I have hopes to travel internationally this summer (schengen, so I should be okay) but am very nervous about all the proposition of this. If my passport is unmarked, is there any chance I wouldn’t flag in systems like Mexico etc?
Thanks for any and all information.
What was your original conviction that made you sex offender? It depends on your offense.
I had a communicating with a minor for immoral purposes and attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor convictions. I’m not sure if those are state level offenses or federal terms.
Thanks taking the time to respond.
I wouldn’t fly directly in to Mexico, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, or Thailand. Count yourself lucky and go for it. Avoid layovers in the aforementioned countries if coming directly from the U.S. I know from personal experience if you fly in to Thailand from Europe you should be ok. It’s the Angel Watch in the U.S. that notifies countries you’re coming.
But what happens if I return to the U.S. with stamps from more countries than just the one I notified my jurisdiction I would be traveling to?
I got my first ever passport on 2/4/19. No unique identifier on it as well.I emailed and called the passport center about the IML law and unique identifier.They sent an automated response.Can’t find info on how to fix a passport that maybe should have marking on it.I’m going to paris in march and want to fix it if I have to before I get stopped from boarding a plane. No way to find out if marker is needed for me or not.Not fair at all.My charge was a touch crime for 2 seconds in 2002 in Fla. Maybe my charge isn’t serious enough to warrant the marker.Don’t see how Dept of State could let these things slip by. Hope i have no problems travelling.Searching all day online for examples on how to fix this.
Any issues with Barbados? Marked No for denial but Belize also used to be a country we could travel , but now is marked yes for denial. It looks like matrix has not been updated recently.
I would like to find out about this too. I traveled to Belize in August of 2018 but now it’s marked that they are turning RSO away. I’m schedule to go to barbados in March
Did you have problems entering Barbados? would like to know thanks!
I traveled to Barbados successfully 2 months ago. I was interrogated. Be prepared to explain your past
and have a plan for hotels, etc and a return ticket. I was interrogated by police. Be respectful and unassuming.
Paul Rigney
214-624-2552
Hello Paul.Would taking a copy of your arrest record and showing it to customs help in any of these situations, Like Mexico or Thailand or any of those Countries? Being 10 or 20 years arrest free should shine a light on how dangerous you are or are not. Just a thought.
Sure, have you found out anything more about Belize or Barbados? Traveling to Belize soon. Thanks!
Ours law makers have to change policies to protect the Americans citizens.
Negative information about their citizens. People who have been served and educate and prove over the years that they are better fit to the society than most people. Should be treated with respect an their rights be protected rather tthat violated
On lifetime registry in TX working with attorney to get off. I meet requirements. Offense was 29 years ago. Conviction was 26 years ago. Denied Mexico and turned immediately back in 2016. Just travelled to Rome successfully in Dec 2018. Got a certified letter waiting for me at post office from US State Gov. I assume this is revoking my passport to get scarlet letter passport. When I get off registry, can I get yet again a new passport and will this get me off the scarlet letter and notifications list?
Who’s your attorney? Any luck getting of the registry? Which county? Im in Texas too.
Thanks
Does anyone have any information on travel to Tahiti? I’m curious about being able to travel to Bora Bora. I know that Tahiti is under French Polynesia control, and I’m curious about how that applies to RSO’s. Thanks in advance.
I travelled to Tahiti recently without any problems. I did have a letter from the US Consulate in French Polynesia that stated they did not care what crimes I committed in the US but not to commit any in French Polynesia. That was it. I cleared customs in Tahiti without any problems. OF course in the US, upon returning home, I was asked some questions, my bag searched and I was delayed for an hour but I expected that.
Hey Doug, did you do the 21 days notice for Tahiti?
Doug, I hope you see this. Did you do the 21 days notice for Tahiti?
Just got me first ever passport with no visible RSO identifier.I had a 2nd degree felony L&L mol in 2002 on a 15yo and I register in Fla twice a year.Will I be denied boarding intl flight without passport marking.Very nervous about losing my chance to travel and money lost.Who do I contact about my possible mismarked passport ? Any comments are helpful.
Hello, does anyone know if SO are allowed entry in Nigeria and South Africa. Please let me know. Also, what if you have dual citizenship with two countries and have a passports for both countries but you are RSO in the United States but not your birth country. If you travel on your birth country passport would you be flagged or even recognized as a RSO. Please advise!
I have been wondering the same thing. Any news on this?
Hey Paul. Thanks for the great conversation the other night. I did some investigation and found some things. I called all the major airlines in the USA and CBP. They all told me that a flight originating from another country with a layover in the USA does not transmit the Advance Passenger Information System (passenger manifest) to the USA. They only transmit the manifest to the destination countries. With that being said, it is not all countries that receive the manifest. Here are the list of countries that requires a Advance Passenger Information System.
Antigua, Australia[9], Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Grenada, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Maldives, Mexico[10], Panama, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint, Lucia, Spain (except for Schengen zone passengers)[10], Taiwan[11], Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom[10], United States.
If your flight is originating out of the United States and your destination country is not on this list, it still does not stop Angel Watch from informing that country of your arrival as a sex offender.
As long as your flight does not ORIGINATE from the United States and you are not on a registrar where you are originating from then your sex offense status will not be transmitted to your destination country even if you layover in the United States.
France? Does France turn people away?
Cam,I do not know if France will turn you away. The post was just to inform you which countries require the airline to inform them who is coming to their country from the point of the flight origin. In this case, those countries will also recieve an alert. It is up o the country to decide whether or not to allow you entrance.
Are you implying that if you travel to a country that you are accepted into from the US,that is not a territory of the US, that you can fly into a country and be permitted entry that you are denied entry into when flying from the US?
So if you’re a RSO from the United States and you wish to travel freely how would you go about booking and handling your flights?
The only way you can travel freely as an RSO is if your flight does not originate from the US. If you are an RSO living in the US and traveling internationally, then you must register your travel plans with the 21 day notice. However if you don’t live in the US, you dont need to give notice. Also, if you are traveling to two countries that are not in the US then its difficult for AWC to track it. BUT be careful because you must fly back to the US from the country that you originally flew into first.
Hey I was curious about your post. I am currently trying to book a trip with some friends to Japan and also travel to South Korea and Vietnam. I want to be honest with checking that I have had a crime in my past. How would I travel if im flying from the US?
Just FYI South Korea will deny you entry. I have lived in South Korea for many years and am a permanent resident. When I went home for Christmas 2019 and came back at the beginning of 2020 I was questioned by immigration. Only by the grace of someone holy did I not get turned away because of my PR. I had to go to my local immigration office and talk to them and they asked questions. A couple of months later I went back again after their report went up the chain of command and was told that I could stay.
Thank you IML for f******* our lives up.
Does Angel watch notification apply to all RSO, or only to those with a victim who was a child?
Also with the 21-day notification, are you required to list ALL countries you will visit? Or only the first country? I would assume that it would be easy for US Immigration to see all the countries you visited when you returned by looking at the stamps in your passport.
Did you find an answer to your question? I’m wondering the same thing. Are they expecting me to call them from Guatemala 21 days before I think I’ll be headed to El Salvador on a bus?
I received my new passport in November of 2018, I was expecting an identifier on it or even a note for page 27 but neither appeared. Traveling through Amsterdam to Spain and Sweden. Does anyone actually have a passport with this identifier?
Same here. I recently received one without the marker as well, and am also traveling to Italy and Prague next week.
Did you have any issues getting into Italy?
Just renewed mine recently after several years since expiration.
I filled out the passport forms on the State Dept website, printed them, and walked into my county courthouse.
Fast delivery of the passport with no delays, even after having to claim my previous passport was lost. No obvious markers or notes on mine either.
If you’re not currently on registration then you won’t have an identifier, only those who are currently on registration who’ve committed a crime against a child
Does a Receipt of Child Pornography charge considered and “assault on a child,” or is it just hands-on charges?
I have a possession of Child Pornography conviction. This is considered to be a victimless crime. My passport does not have an identifier on it. I just got back from Hong Kong and experienced no problems getting in and nothing coming back.
I would be interested in whether you received a State Dept. letter. My offense is also child pornography (receipt/possession)in 1994/1995. I visited Europe in October of 2018 with my regular passport and had no issues until my return. About 2 months later I received a certified letter from the State Dept. I never picked it up and after a second notice it was returned to them. Nothing since. My PA registry was listed as “pending.” because I got politicians involved and as of April, was removed from the PA registry. As I understand it, this should eliminate the need for an identifier. I plan to argue that they jumped the gun with their letter and should have waited due to the “pending” mark, and that they should re-instate the passport. Problem is I lived in Florida for a few years, leaving in ’94 and lived in Nevada for 6 months also leaving in ’94. These two asshole states will never remove you from their registries so I still have an entry in the federal registry because of these idiots. Hell, NV has no picture, no offenses listed, no current address, no nothing, except that I now live in PA. And the only reason they got this info is because I sent them 2 certified letters demanding removal. All they did was grab info and do nothing.
Hello. Did you travel to Spain yet? How was the airport experience? We are traveling this May and our port of entry is Madrid.
Did you make it in spain?
Yes, I have a new U.S. passport with the IML special identifier/notification. I have just returned from 3 weeks in France and now one there – including the border control officer at Paris CDG Airport – bothered to flip to or look at IML’s special notification. In fact, the only person who looked at it yet but as the U.S. customs officer at LAX who (as usual) sent me to secondary review. (Honestly, I think you would be hard pressed to find a Schengen country that gives a damn about America’s IML & its sex hysteria.)
Typo correction: …. 3 weeks in France and NO ONE there ….. bothered to look at IML’s special notification.
I received a passport card, which an “covered” SO can’t get. Then I received my passport book which says something about see page 27 but there’s nothing there. Do all passports have the see page 27 in it?
i was wondering if anyone has tried getting a dual citizenship as a RSO ?
also if so would that work into getting into mexico ?
I have researched the purchasing of a citizenship in another country. Many offer this, and the cost to some of them is relatively low. You do want to be sure that the country doesn’t have a registry system that could possibly effect you. Spain, Portugal, and France are just a few of them. I am currently pursuing a German citizenship. Cypress is a cheap one as well. Good thing is you never have to use your U.S. passport again!
I have thought of doing the same thing. Please keep us updated on the process and outcome. Thanks
Would you have to renounce your U.S. Citizenship, and if so, we ould that affect my 100% Disability Payment from the Veterans Administration every month? That $3057 per month is my only income.
Every country I’ve looked at for permanent residency (including Germany) require a copy of your police record. How do you get around that?
try this web site is in Spanish now the golden rule is that if you were born in mexico you might have a chance to get a double citizen or if your parents were born in mexico you can become a Mexican citizen the is a law that if you are a mexican citizen they will let you in read this:artcle #36 Artículo 36. Los mexicanos no podrán ser privados del derecho a ingresar a territorio nacional. Para
tal efecto, deben acreditar su nacionalidad además de cumplir con los demás requisitos que se
establecen en esta Ley, su Reglamento y demás disposiciones jurídicas aplicables.
Didn’t even know about the change on travel and the need to register to travel. Planning to go on a cruise to Mexico and Grand Cayman. Anyone with experience with traveling on a cruise as an RSO? Should I even bother? Don’t want to waste money if I can’t even disembark the ship. Wish I found out about all of this earlier. Tomorrow is the last day I can decide to go or not without screwing over my travel companions or paying for a trip I dont go on
You most likely wont be allowed on the cruise ship. As I had a cruise booked with Norwegian and after some phone calls was told I would not be aloud to board the ship
I was under the impression that Carnival cruise line was the main line turning RSO away. I cruise Royal Caribbean about 3x a year and am a Emerald member with over 90 days at sea in my life with the most recent cruise last month… About 4 years ago I was flagged and had to explain my charges to them. After reviewing my charges (Lewd and Lac, consensual when I was younger) they let me board, no problem since, I am just pulled aside when I return to the USA like usual. But i go to Mexico all the time, Also Grand Cayman without any issues whatsoever.
Who would I contact at Royal Caribbean to go over my situation before I book a cruise? Thanks
I would book a cruise through their website, If they call you I would ask them if they can review your case, as I go all the time with Royal. If your case was consensual like mine was chances are pretty good i would think.
Matthew. I’m interested in this. I have a cruise booked with Norwegian since August. I’m leaving in January. I haven’t been called?
Phil, you may want to also visit the ACSOL website and do a search using the word “cruise” or “cruises”. There are quite a few reports there of difficulties with one cruise line or another. Do your research before you buy. Some of them won’t even allow you to board.
Was wondering if it would be a problem going through Istanbul, Turkey airport.
Christian, my boyfriend is a RSO in CA and traveled to Turkey in 2019. He gave his 21 day notice and had no issues entering the country. Hope that helps!
Does anyone know the status of entering Greece as a RSO?
no issues entering Greece October 2018
Hi! We want to go to Atlantis in the Bahamas. Husband is a RSO. Will we have issues? We will be taking our 3 young children and don’t want them to see a lot of drama or go through a lot of stress. Our toddler is very sensitive. Thanks!
I just came back from the Bahamas with my gf and we stayed at the Atlantis. I was pulled to the side entering and i just had to explain my crime and my departure. Everything was fine! Enjoy your stay 🙂
I am very interested to see how your question is answered.
Where you able to get in with your family?
I’m trying to talke my girlfriend on vacation to Puerto Rico and Hawaii those are both USA , just want to make sure there is no problem going into either
No problems with traveling to US territories. The only problems you will face when traveling are when you go through customs and immigration. You exit directly into Puerto Rico and Hawaii bypassing immigration. PR is awesome have a great trip.
I just visited Guatemala this past memorial day weekend. No problems at all entering, only the typical return going thru secondary screening.
Did you visit any of the other C-4 countries while you were there? I’m wondering if I’m expected to call Homeland or ICE from Guatemala to tell them when I’m going to the next country on my trip. California said they’re going to de-register me when I leave, so there won’t be any jurisdiction for me to notify after that. But I don’t want a bunch of stamps on my passport causing a problem when I get back six months later.
This is a very useful website! Thanks to everyone for their replies and information.
My wife loves to travel but I have not been able to go with her due to my probation. Now my probation is over so I can travel.
My wife is a Mexican citizen but I fear that I will be denied entry to Mexico to visit her parents who live there.
1. Will I be denied, even though my wife is a Mexican citizen?
2. Would they deny me at the airport AND at the border crossing in Laredo?
3. I live in Texas and I am able to de-register. So, if I de-register, would I still be denied entry to Mexico?
4. Does it help at all to de-register? Considering that I would still be in a database that says I committed a sex offense in the past.
If you deregister
You will have no problem
I am a TX resident also, and if you know how to de-register I’d like to hear how. I know there is a DPS website that says it’s easy, but it’s not.
Let me know if it can realistically be done.
Visa needed in Europe starting in 2021. How do you think that might affect registered citizens?
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/us-citizens-need-visas-to-visit-europe-in-2021/index.html
Travelers with more serious offenses may face problems entering the Schengen Area ETIAS countries for short stays. Those who have served more than 3 years of jail time, or have been convicted of human trafficking or drug offenses with more than 2 years of jail time, are likely to be refused entry.
https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-news/travel-europe-criminal-record-requirements-apply
Not looking good
Here is more info. about the European Union’s ETIAS:
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/europe-visa-etias/
This has now been pushed back to 2022!!!
My husband and i want to take our family on a cruise (3 kids) but arent sure about it because he is an rso, girl was OVER 18 and said on the stand it was concensual and she told him where to meet her but he was a teacher and she was a student so now he has to register for life. Are there any cruise lines that would allow us on board? Or would it be better to try and fly somewhere, if that is a possibility, thanks
Hey, soo I’ve read a lot of comments that have said that travel to Mexico is basically impossible for a RSO but I read an article recently that was discussing Missouri’s awful laws and that they had 3 dozen move to Mexico. Is that true and if so how are they getting to Mexico? Is driving across more likely than flying? I also am curious about Canada. I’m a one time offender from the Bible Belt who’s recieved a misdemeanor when I was 20 which was several years ago. Probation cleared and clean record since the event. I’m wanting to visit the countries and I myself have even had thoughts of maybe life would be better in another country permanently especially since my crime is legal in some other countries. Anyone that can give me any quality feedback to my questions I would highly appreciate it. Thank you so much!!!
I’m Interested in hearing an answer for all this also.
Does anyone know which are the top 2 or 3 states to live in for a lower tier offender. I’m married with young kids that I’d like to be able to support and watch them play sports and ect things all parents want to be able to do. I’m looking for the most peaceful state to move to I have a skilled trade that I can use anywhere I go. I just want peace to where I can raise my kids without worry of everyone being constantly harassed. I realize no where will give me a true second chance but surely somewhere there’s a state or two that is reasonable. If anyone knows of the best two or three states please let me know.
If you can withstand the cold Oregon is the place to go and unless you’re a violent offender you will not be on the Internet as only predators and level 1 offenders who are violent offenders are listed on the Internet. It’s the place to go. This is the only state that has a classification system that does not put everyone on the Internet.
Actually, Washington also keeps level 1 offenders off of their public registry. I don’t even show up on the national registry. I’m a level-1, non-violent offense, and the only thing I have to deal with is a visit to my house once a year by a non-uniformed officer to verify my residence.
You would be fine in Georgia
I live here with an offense against a minor and have a happy life. If his offense was before 2005 then he would have no restrictions and register once a year
NYS doesn’t list Level 1 RSOs on the website either. But NYS is expense as hell and Level 1 RSOs are required to register for 20 years.
Tennessee is very easy. We were considering moving there and I called and talked to local Sheriff’s office. My hubby is level 2 and they don’t require any registration. Although, as I understand it, he’d still be on the nat’l registry. Also, many places in Tennessee still have a very low cost of living.
I’ve heard that RSO’s in TN have a large red “S” on their drivers licenses. Check that out.
Tennessee only has a license restriction. Says restriction 88 in small letters on the front.
Ej. hi, I’m in New Hampshire. It’s easy living here if you don’t mind the 4 yearly visits to the P.D. to register. other than that there is no problem. I’ve been in this town for the past 20 years and never any trouble. Not the best place but better than other States I have heard about. I believe that VT. has only 1 yearly registration.
Hello. We already bought a ticket for Spain in May. Any recent experience? My husband is an rso. Last time we traveled to Europe we entered through Iceland and didn’t have a problem at all. Will Spain allow us to enter? Thanks.
Hi B, my wife and I just returned from 2 weeks in France and Spain. We flew into Paris and had no issues at all (I’ve never had an issue going to France). We then flew from Paris to Barcelona and again no issues. We drove and spent a couple of nights in the Rioja region before spending 2 nights in San Sebastián. The first morning we were in San sabastian, after breakfast I returned to our room and the front desk called to say that the Police were there and wanted to speak with me. So I went down and met with them and they said they just wanted to make me aware that the state I reside in informed Spain that I would be traveling there and that’s all they wanted. After San Sebastián we went to Barcelona for last part of trip. No issues except for when leaving Barcelona to fly home. Was flagged at passport control in Barcelona and taken down to an office while the policia made calls in Spanish. After about 20 minutes they told me no problems and then let me go. He could not speak English and I am not fluent in Spanish but he was telling me something about a 1 yr term in Spain, I wasn’t provided any documents or didn’t have to sign anything and just wanted to get out of there so didn’t push for more info or to speak to anyone else. Note that in Spain, every hotel or bed and breakfast or Airbnb is required to get and scan a picture of each persons passport, so I’m sure the police will know where your husband is at each night. Upon arrival back in the US at JFK, I was flagged again at passport control and taken to an office, waited about 10 minutes before they called me in and asked where I had been and who traveled with but then said ok and let me go, no further questions or searches.
Hi Rob,
Thank you so much! Can my husband and I give you a call?
B
Yes
Paul 214-624-2552
Hi B,
Please forgive me, I am just seeing this now. Have you gone on your trip yet? Any issues? Hope all went well!
Rob
I traveled to Spain in August of 2018 from JFK. Had no issues leaving NY or entering Spain. Trip was fine with no issues. As with many,it was only on the return that I was detained by U.S. customs back in NY. I was at customs for less than a two minutes before I was asked if I was traveling with someone. After I answered “yes,” I was soon given a paper to give to another officer, then I was sent on my way.
Where you able to get in?
I just want to be free to live I’m 45 i was convicted when I was 20 for have sex with a under age female that lied to me about her age that was 25 years ago I have worked I have never been in trouble before or after the matter and now I want to travel get married but I’m scared to death to tell my girlfriend can someone please help me with trying to enjoy the years I have left
To all interested in traveling to HONG KONG. I just returned from there 2 weeks ago and had no problems at all. My passport does not have a rso identifier. I did everything by the book. I let my registering authority know about my trip. However, when I got to Hong Kong they didn’t even ask me any questions and granted me 90 days stay. Upon returning to the US I was not asked any questions here either. Everything went very smoothly. The trip was great!
Does anyone know what happens AFTER registration ends for an SO? I have 10 years of registration in WA state. If I do the proper steps on completion of that time to be removed from the registry, will I be perpetually banned from the countries on the Matrix? Is this like Canada where it looms forever, or will I be cleared to go to most countries again?
Any help and advice is greatly appreciated.
I’m in same boat as you, my 10 years is up in July here in WA state, I never had any issues of the 32 counties I went to prior to 2015, but now I’m nervous of even trying to go anywhere until I’m relieved of duty
I also live in WA State. I was removed from registration in 2016. I am traveling to Hong Kong and Vietnam soon – I will update you as to what happens, but expect no problems. I do not have to do the 21-day notification and no not have a marked passport.
Please update me
Paul Ringey
214-624-2552
[email protected]
Please update me about your trAvel
Did you get into Vietnam? Please send details!!
Update?
Peter what steps do you have to take to get off the registry?
I was convicted in 1996 in WA State. I did not know that there is an option to be removed from the registry in WA State.
I want to visit Peru. I’ve done many searches and can’t find a definitive answer. Does anyone know if I can travel there being a Registered SO? Please give me any information you can provide. Thank you.
If you’re not sure (outside of the countries we know deny entry to RSOs), apply for a travel visa with the country you want to travel to. That’s the easiest and cheapest way to find out.
Hi Chris, I’ve traveled to Peru back on June 2016 and was denied entry there. My warning to you is that if you travel there, Peru will deny you entry unless otherwise I’m wrong.
Paris France trip report:
I just came back from Paris France. I gave the 21 day advance notice of travel. I took a direct flight from Denver to Paris. I had no issues with the French customs/immigration arriving and departing. On my arrival back in Denver going through customs I did have to go through a 5 minute secondary screening of where an officer looked through my bag and asked me, where I visited and for how long I was gone, and I was sent on my way.
Question, are you required to answer the officer’s question without your attorney present?
Has anyone recently traveled to Nepal, is not listed on the Matrix, same with South Africa? Both are countries I am looking at visiting sometime in the near future.
Apply for a visa, especially for South Africa. At least you’ll know in advance if they’ll let you in before you spend a fortune on travel plans.
the risk in applying for a visa when they are not required is it makes them look into it more, not saying ignorance is bliss, but in applying you are essentially assuring they know you are coming. Yes, if they approve it, it might be helpful but I have heard that even with approved visas you can be turned away. I know people who have called the consulate as well, they said no worries, and then when the landed, they were denied. Unless it is a known fact they will deny you, ya never know. I have gotten into the UK, twice, this was before IML, but they were denying SOs then. Crap shoot totally, some countries you avoid all together, some, no problem and then some, you hope they missed something or don’t care
Any SO’s been allowed on a Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas?
No, you can book, but expect a phone call shortly after with a full refund, Carnival is one of the major cruise lines that consistently turns SO away, they scan the manifests for anyone on the SO registry. So you will be turned away. I would only try
MSC or Holland at this point. Norweigan and Royal Caribbean are hit or miss as I hear it depends on your case and they will do a review of your crimes and ask for details of what happened, If they clear you you are fine, If not expect to be turned away.
I took a Norwegian cruise in November 2018 to Italy and had no issues. This was 15th cruise, 14th since my conviction. I have had no issues. 14 of those cruises were on Carnival. I recently read that people were being turned away so I called Carnival to inquire and they told me that yes indeed they are turning away RSO now. The security guy I spoke with at Carnival told me that to his knowledge Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney all had the same policy.
We cruised on Princess last year and it didn’t have any trouble. We didn’t try to get off in Canada as I’d heard that can cause issues.
El Salvador is a NO GO for registrants and should be added to matrix. Traveled on Avianca on April 13th direct from LAX to SAL. No problems at LAX with check-in, lounge access or the flight. After exiting the plane, both my partner and I were stopped by 2 undercover policemen, one who spoke English well and the other who spoke none for our passports. I am an RSO and even though he is not; he was still on the list because of me. Both officers asked me questions while the English speaking officer questioned my partner, searched my phone, inquired who, when and how long we planned to stay, and where. My partner speaks ZERO English which made it more stressful. After about 20 minutes we were taken to immigration and made to wait an hour when a Spanish only speaking immigration officer interviewed me on the side for another 30 minutes. While I was able to communicate in Spanish, it is learned and I am NOT fluent. However, he said I did well and we were asked to pay $10.00 each for our visas and then waited another long period. I later discovered immigration was calling my friends in country to verify my answers. The same immigration officer then asked me to sign the questions he had asked me (written in Spanish) to take to his supervisor. Another long wait and when he returned said I would be denied entry! He also said my partner was free to go but continued to hold both passports taken upon arrival. His boss came to speak to me (again, only Spanish) and then left 30 seconds into the conversation to answer a phone call and walked away. Another long period of over an hour and he returned to confirm my partner would be entering the country. Since our friends are bilingual and the hotel had a driver waiting for him, this was not a problem. Finally after 5 hours my partner was given his passport and allowed to leave. I, on the other hand was made to wait another 45 minutes when another woman from immigration had me sign a Spanish only document stating the legal codes and reasons for my denial of entry. After I signed, my $10 visa fee was returned to me. My crime was 288c(1) wobbler in 2001. Keep in mind, we landed shortly after 7 pm and it was now almost 1 am! I was then taken to the terminal and forced to wait in a brightly lit fluorescent room with a few other passengers all night. There was no food, water or air conditioning working and it was humid and 79 degrees outside. I sat up all night in those chairs at the gate and finally broke down at 4am and drank water out of the bathroom sink. MY passport was finally returned to me at 7am when my 10 am flight was ticketed. Has I not flown business and not had lounge access for food, water, a shower and a short nap; I would have broken down and God knows what would of happened. Finally, returned to LAX 27 hours after boarding my original flight. Even though I never entered the country, I was still forced to wait for a second inspection and questioned what was the purpose of my trip. I replies “To visit friends but it doesn’t matter, I wasn’t allowed to enter.” My advice is, don’t waste your time but, if you’re intent on attempting to visit; go first class, separate luggage upon check in, carry a change of clothes and keep keys and documents with you at all time. Also, be able to understand the local language and purchase travel insurance. I say this because I failed to purchase travel insurance, separate my luggage and carry my keys on my person.
It has been my unfortunate experience to learn that travel insurance often doesn’t cover being denied entry.
Hello Kevin, I traveled to El Salvador in March this year and I had no problems entering the country. But I want to add a couple of things that could’ve had made the difference. I was born in El Salv. but I’m a naturalized U S citizen, so my passport it’s a US Passport. I am also a SO I arrived at 7 am and yes I had a lot of anxiety but at the check point it took 2 minutes to process my passport and I was in. I am also a SO and when I returned to the US I went through 5 hour check in process at the airport
I am very sorry for what happened to you in my home country, but a word of advise: don’t take this list as a sure thing, if a country its not listed does not mean we are going to be admitted.
I need to go to Thailand late this year to visit my son. I noticed on the matrix that they do not allow SO’s in. Are the rules strictly enforced? What about Cambodia? Any experience there?
Cambodia will not let you enter. I was denied entry. However, I was allowed to enter Thailand after I was sent back to my connection in TPE. My advice. Book into Hong Kong. Then purchase a flight onsite from HKG to BKK. This will leave no way for them to contact Thailand and you should sail right through.
They are now catching on to this, I just did this and was contacted by my detective in my jurisdiction and he said I will Be charged with a crime when I return
update on this can you elaborate on catching a new charge? How can the U.S. do that you registered your itinerary and you cant report what you don’t know they expect you to fly back to the U.S. ? You’re outside their jurisdiction anyway.
Were you charged with a crime?
Just thought I’d let everyone know that I recently surrendered my passport and applied for a new one to see if it contains the SO notice on the last page. It did not. I never received a letter from the State Department asking me to surrender my passport. I did it on my own since I plan to travel to Aruba in January 2020, and wanted to have a new passport, just in case the SO notification statement was in there and like I said, it was not.
Just curious. I havent applied for a passport yet. Is there a check box on the pasdport applucation asking if youve been convicted of any crime? Dont you still have to notify authorities before your travel and don’t they notify the country your visiting anyway? That’s awesome that you have a clean passporr.
I did mine recently too. There is nothing asking anything like that if you are updating your passport. They have access to everything to see if you need an identifier or not. It’s the State department. They can access FBI and see what’s what. Don’t fret. We may be labeled and looked down upon, but only God will judge us in the end! Take care and good luck.
There is no check box. If you are on the registry with a crime against a minor, yes you must give 21 days notice, I believe. Authorities only notify the countries that are signatory to IML, I think, but perhaps someone else can answer that for sure. I just made hotel and flight reservations to Aruba for January 2020 convention. We’ll see if I have any issues, but the Travel Matrix says Aruba is a go at this point anyway!
Update?
My husband is brasilian and has dual citizenship. His PO just told him that he has to get a new American passport with the SO info on the back cover. If he has dual citizenship will he be denied entry into his native country of Brazil?
Traveling to South Africa, any known issues?
I recently received a passport with the endorsement. In speaking with the South African consulate in Los Angeles they indicated that this was new to them and weren’t sure if entry would be denied. They suggested applying for a VISA, even though it is not required for US citizens, since this would allow them to look into the issue further. Their feeling was that IF the VISA was granted, which would prevent the authorities in South Africa from having to research it, then there would be a better chance of gaining entrance. My trip got canceled so I didn’t proceed with the VISA so can’t provide any additional experience.
Today I just received a certified letter from the State Department revoking my passport. Stating that I need to have one stating that I had a sex offense against a minor. I just traveled my first time out of the country since my conviction 10 years ago. I received my passport two years ago with out any identifier. I traveled to Paris with no problems a month ago and now this.
I am an SO that didn’t have a conviction on a minor. Mine was that I pants’ed my now ex-wife but was my wife at the time and she had a boyfriend who advised her to take this to the Military police and hence was charged for attempted sexual contact. So I did 73 days in the brig and now am both retired, and divorced, living in Nevada. I was wondering if Turkey was off limits. I have a friend who is going there for some cosmetic surgery in Sept. and I wanted to be there with her. I am a Tier 1 and hopefully won’t have an identifier. I sent out for my passport 2 weeks ago and am awaiting a new one. So with this information, what can anyone tell me about Turkey? There is a good direct flight from L.A. and would love to book it before it fills up, but am nervous about trying to go there and then get turned away. Thanks in advance.
I know someone who tried to go to Indonesia and he had to change planes in turkey. They gave him no trouble.
Tried to go to Indonesia? Does that mean he didn’t make it?
I was wondering about Turkey. Also I was wondering about the 21 day in advance notification. What exactly do you tell them in that 21-day Advance notification? Thank you in advance.
I think it depends on the state what they will ask, I am not sure, but definitely your itinerary, passport number and country of issue. As for travel to Turkey, I believe you are good to go on that one.
So when you say itinerary, you mean just like a print out or a visual of where I fly into and then out of? Everywhere else is fly by wire, so to speak? I want to fly into maybe Germany, which I know won’t hassle me, and then take trains everywhere. Does that mean they just need to know inbound and outbound? I know that once you are in schengen countries and make it past the customs you can basically go to all their countries as long as you get the stamp. My cousin lives in Austria and my girlfriend is in Italy. Both are schengen countries. And thanks for the Turkey comments. I am glad to see that. My passport has no Identifier(it’s BS that this exists at all). This site is a gift!! Thank you all again and God bless you all on your travels.
Jim, were you able to get into Turkey? If so, did you go on a separate ticket from Germany/EU or did you book a ticket from the US to Turkey (even if you connected somewhere).
Ian, I know this is late but I just saw your question about Turkey. My boyfriend went last year, he is a RSO- gave the notice and did not have a problem in Turkey at all.
The passport identifier provision of International Megan’s Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders (IML) (Public Law 114-119) went into effect on October 31, 2017.
Just got my passport this week. No identifier if you aren’t charged against a minor. Also, Still wondering about the 21 day advance notification thing. If I fly into one place and fly out 2 weeks later at the same place, but in that 2 weeks I travel around, do I need a detailed itinarary to give to the state or just my flight information, to include where I am landing and when I plan on returning? If I land in Germany, and take the train to Italy, do I need to tell the state that this is what I am planning on doing or just that I landed in Germany and will be leaving from there? Any and all help would be nice. Also, I live in Nevada, so if anyone is from here that knows a lot, please don’t hesitate to comment. Thanks again!
Has anyone had any experience with Travel to St. Martin in the Caribbean? My brother owns a time share and would like to take my wife and I there for vacation but I couldn’t find any info on it. I believe his property is in the French Owned side.
Did you hear anything about entering St. Martin? I have a trip planned there in November.
so,if i find a cruiseship company that would allow me onboard,if i go to a country that doesn’t allow so’s will i be allowed to just stay on the ship? or will they come onboard and get me? also,i believe it was james who commented he doesn’t have the scarlett letter stamped on his passport since his charge was possesion of child pornography.this is the first i heard of that. can anyone verify this? i know i would still have to follow m.l. rules on leaving the country,but that may make things a little easier.
Hi Doug,
did you get an answer about having the option of staying on the ship if a country denies you entry?
We have a med cruise with MSC coming up with 8 different ports of call. How’s this work?
Does anyone know how they are applying IML to individuals relieved of registration? My state did not recognize a military specific offense and I have a letter stating so. The Feds put a green flag out on me in 2014 and I have not traveled abroad since. The green flag should expire, but just wondering if they are targeting those relieved at the state level.
Been off the registry for years. Don’t have the “marker” on my passport and never had any problems in Europe.
Hello everyone.
I have a trip planned for Hong Kong. Today is the 22nd day before I leave. The only thing I have been known to have to bring was the itinerary of my trip. I updated my passport in April and it did not have the identifier on there.
Went to the registration office (in Texas) and they said that I was supposed to bring my passport as well….along with my itinerary including my seat number for every flight as well as the hotel I am staying in…and any rental car info. They said I would need to carry a travel permit with me. I have not seen anyone having to carry this around….I am not on parole or probation. So now I have to keep up with that as well as my passport.
All I brought was my itinerary. She said you should have made an appointment. I told her I did not know I had to make an appointment to turn in travel info. She made one for me for tomorrow. I will bring all of my information that I have with me. It will be the 21st day.
Some registration officers did not know about the 21 day thing….some did. Shouldn’t they all know?
So this is a new experience for me and this part of being on the list. It has made what should be a fun anticipation of a good trip stressful.
They said “why are you having a panic attack?”. I said I was not having an attack, but frustrated that there are no clear guidelines what to bring or not bring in this type of scenario and my ticket is already bought…and plans made….and thinking I was doing what was needed.
I don’t know if this travel permit thing is new….I thought everything would be on the passport….the registration officer said some countries if you do not have the permit just turn you right back around and ban you from entering the country again.
I will let you know how it goes tomorrow morning. Nervous….and really more than anything just want to get there, enjoy the trip and get back without any hassles….it seems like already there will be some bumps along the way.
Perseverance is the key…step by step. Of course none of this is meant to be punitive.
Any luck on your trip?
M…hello. I just returned this past Sunday from Hong Kong. Jet lag has kicked my butt. After a lot of anxiousness on my part the overall trip went fairly smoothly. I am supposed to have an identifier I do believe based on the law….however when I renewed my passport this past April with the intention that during background check they would see the need for it and put it on there…and they did not.
As mentioned before you need to give 21 day notice no matter what your offense is to your registration officer. I have read on here that some actually went to the Marshall’s Office. I don’t know about that I went to my registration officer. I would tell you do not just hand off the info and leave. Make sure they input it into the system. If it is not registered into the Marshall’s Office before that 21 day period you might have the Marshall’s waiting for you upon your return for failing to register. Absurd, I know…but don’t risk it.
I did watch them as mentioned before, input it into the system. I am in a fairly large town where we have to make appointments 30 days in advance just to register because of how many people they have to keep up with. My officer told me do not come in on the 21st day thinking they will see me. Call 2-3 days in advance to make an appointment.
Now they gave me a sheet of paper showing what they had inputted…it is called “Notification of International Travel of Sex Offender” from the NSOTC “National Sex Offender Targeting Center”….doesn’t that sound pleasant? I was told to keep this with me on my trip….I have been told that I do not need to keep it…there is nothing in the law that says to keep it….no one ever asked me for it…. I packed it with me just in case. I will say when I came back they said they needed the piece of paper that they gave me to officially report back in that I arrived. I said why do you need a piece of paper when I am standing in front of you with my ID in hand. They said they need to put in my file….I said can’t you print the copy that you have in your system already…..I call BS…but you know just went along and took a picture of my copy on my phone and handed it back to them..
As for the in and out….leaving US no issue…was not stopped…no one tried to identify me on the plane…etc…arriving in Hong Kong….was the moment of truth. They scanned my passport and the guy said it was not scanning correctly for him said something about an identifier not present….he wrote a note about an exemption….and handed to a immigration person who took it into a booth….an anxious 3-4 minutes…which felt like 3-4 hours…and a lady comes out and says that the regular scanner could not read my passport…but that she typed it into the system…and she asked if this was my first trip to Hong Kong…I said yes…and she said enjoy your trip and handed me back my passport with a 90 day tourist visa. I am sure that she saw everything about me in the computer…but asked no questions….I was in about 20 seconds after she handed me the passport over to baggage claim…no issues there either.
The whole trip no issues….
Upon return to the US when I scanned my passport…it was flagged….I had to go to another area to further look at my passport….they asked if I was on the registry…I said I was….they then had someone escort me to get my bags…and they took me to another area to search my bags….asking me if I had anything i brought back with me….I told them of the gifts I had brought….nothing significant….they checked all bags…took 10 minutes or so…..and told me welcome back…and zipped up all my bags…and I was onto my connecting flight….other than the inconvenience….of going through my bags….I was not asked any other questions….pretty simple.
I do expect as others have received some kind of notice that my passport is revoked in the mail soon. Maybe…maybe not…
It was obvious that Hong Kong had been notified….and that I was in the system upon my return to the US. I thought they would take it from me right then…but they did not.
Overall, I could not be more pleased with the trip and how smoothly it did go. It was amazing.
Hope that helps people out there with a little more info.
Thx for the Info, yes—-since you traveled outside the country with no identifier and it should be there, once you get back into the USA, the US DEPT OF STATE will pick it up and you will be notified by them within 30-45 days revoking your current passport saying you will need one with the unique identifier. Welcome to the club, life goes on and the blows keep coming…. 🙁
Rick again here….and as you said and others said….I did get a letter in the mail right around the 45 day mark revoking my passport and I had to send back immediately….and apply for a new one with the identifier….even though I renewed in April with the intent of them putting it on there…and they did not….so for their mistake I get to pay extra fess.
By the way it came in an overnight letter….great use of taxpayer money.
M….I sent a rather lengthy response…I will see if it posts…if not there in a day or two I will repost. I was able to enter and barely any hassles coming back although flagged both entering Hong Kong and US….but honestly very little problem. Maybe I had gotten myself ready for anything….and was happy with the results.
Rick,
I love it when they asked you why you are having a panic attack. It’s because we are scared out of our f-ing mind and we should be when the government is labeling us and threatening to throw us back in prison if we don’t follow their insane laws. I’m glad you got through it though.
Hi, I am RSO in Nj, I want to go on cruise to Alaska from Seattle but it stops at Canada on way back. Does anyone been on this cruise or knows about if US TSA at Seattle allows to go?
I was wondering this also… As with my personal experience (2-3 cruises a year out of Florida) You will not have a problem going anywhere in the caribbean on a boat and not allowed in. I’m Concerned about Canada though, that’s an entire different animal there, as they don’t even allow convicted felons entry much less a convicted SO.
Also when you cruise, As long as its a “closed loop” cruise you can just use your Birth Cert and ID so you don’t even have to use your “marked passport.”
I was on an Alaskan cruise about 10 years ago. The only issue I had was with the damned Americans who sent me to secondary inspection in Vancouver. Yeah right Yanks, Alaska is a destination vacation for Sex Offenders, friggin idiots. The Canadiens didn’t say boo.
We did that cruise last year, on Princess (loved it!). I didn’t get off the ship in Canada and there were no issues at all on the cruise.
Question. Did you have to let your agency of annual registration know you were traveling?
I know Canada will not let you step foot in their country, they are very strict about it, even if you are on a layover or ‘traveling thru’ would not suggest getting off the ship. May not be as bad as flying, but not worth the risk.
I have been off the registry for several years
Can I travel into Canada?
NO YOU CANNOT. You must apply for Criminal Rehabilitation, and that process takes at least a year. if you are approved then, it only lasts a year, and must be renewed annually. Not an easy process.
I took a cruise to Alaska out of Seattle 2 yrs ago on Princess Cruise line. Stopped in Canada for the day and had no issue.
Has anyone traveled with the SO stamp inside their passport? What was the reaction? Where did u go? Any problems?
I have another question for my retired and 100% disabled vets that I KNOW are here. Have you ever flown Space A successfully? It’s a lot harder since there is no itinerary and you don’t know when the flight will be. I would love to know if anyone has been able to do it. I want to do it with a friend of mine who just got 100% and is able to fly. I’m retired and have a military retired ID card, so if I wanted to, I can go anywhere, but because of my military conviction, and subsequent status on the registry, I was actually banned from my last base. But I can access my hometown base without any real issues. I also know not to travel to countries where I know for sure I wouldn’t make it in if I was traveling normally. So most of Asia is out. But I wanted to go to Europe and Germany and Italy aren’t such horrible countries to ban people from visiting and spending money in. Just wanted to see if anyone had any experience with Military Space A travels. Thanks again!
Has anyone traveled to Nepal, any problems entering the country? Planning a trip there this fall, I am an RSO, nothing is listed on the matrix so no idea how much a risk it would be traveling there, anyone, please advise?
I am confused about Jamaica. It says they turn offenders away, but also says be prepared to be grilled about itinerary. Has anyone successfully been allowed into Jamaica? Any info on other Caribbean islands not listed?
Does this only apply to felonies?
Side thought, since President Obama was the one who signed the law, if we could get a lawmaker to get this in front of President Trump and make it clear Obama put it in place, he may revoke it just based on that!
Has anyone been to uruguay recently? I want to take a vacation there.
RSO and I have a valid passport which predated the new marked passports. So at least for now I think I’m ok on that front. (until it expires or I get a letter). My question is… On the travel matrix it says pp get turned away from certain countries, is that applicable to RSO’s traveling FROM the US exclusively? In other words, has anyone gone to say Italy and then gone from Italy to Costa Rica etc? Appreciate any insight!
I was returned from mexico but i will now try with mexican passport any luck with people with double citizenship?
Canadian rso here
Going to phillpimes in 2 weeks will report back
How did it go Salmon?
How did that go? I’m off the registry now and plan to try to go to the phillippines also
Whats the Philippines update?
I am listed in the National database under my old name from Texas but am no longer required to register in my new state in WA. I called WA to give a 21 day notice and they said since I do not register any longer, they would not be taking my paperwork. Texas told me since I do not live there, they wont take my paperwork either. I do not have a special marked passport but under the IML rules, i am a “covered” offender, because I am listed on the national site because Texas will never take me off. To add to the confusion, Texas only has my old name on their site.. I changed my name once I got off the registry here in WA… Any suggestions on what I should do?
Call Me
214-624-2552
I’ve heard that registered offenders have to get their passport renewed every year. Is this true?
No. Every 10 years. They may need the unique identifier
Sam n, this is interesting..my fiance is in a very similar position. Texas won’t take him off the registry even though he is no longer required to register in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Supreme Court granted him a permanent injunction from being continually on this registry (deemed unconstitutional). Unfortunately his wrongful conviction happened in Colorado before the registry was created (he’s not on Colorado list) ,and he moved to Texas right away to finish his probation. Long story short, he hasn’t lived there for at least 15 years, but they still keep him on this list. Because of this situation, he is also a covered so. We’ve already been separated once by traveling to Mexico together. I am not a US citizen so this IML situation has been devastating for us. We are trying to find a way around this injustice, but feeling like we are on our own.
We are planning a trip to Norway later this year? Any words of wisdom about that country and a rso visiting?
You should have no problem.
Any issues for South Africa?
Anyone have info. On Turks and cacios
I’m planning a trip to St. Martin in Nov. 2019. Any issues with immigration there?
I would also like info on Turks and Caicos, Saint Kitts, Saint Vincent, Dominica, or Grenada. I am planning a trip to one of these that will let me in! Any info will be appreciated!.
nwwd to get this Identifier for my passport where can I get it?
Has anyone traveled to Turks and cacios and what problems did you encounter
Does anyone know definitely of someone from a non-SORNA-compliant state who was arrested by federal marshals for not complying with the IML 21-day foreign travel notice, if that person did register the travel with local police according to their procedure (3 days in advance in Illinois, for example)? I have read rumors but no one seems to know any facts for sure on this.
Going to Portugal in September with my wife. It’s Schengen so I assume no problem. Flying Newark to Porto.
Anyone have recent experience?
I went to Lisbon from madrid 3/25/19 by night train.It was easy.Flew to paris the next day from Lisbon with no problem.Spain,France,and portugal are no problem.Next month I’m going to Spain again, then brussels, and Amsterdam. Will report when trip done.Thanks.
Everything went very very smoothly with my trip to Portugal.
A month before leaving I called the head of the Illinois State Police SOR Unit Tracie Newton at the number on the back of registration form (217/785-0653) and asked her what to do, since my local police department in Chicago refused to take a notification more than three days before leaving, the officer saying that he had never heard of the 21-day notice required by IML. Newton told me that the 21-day notice is “not the law” in non-SORNA compliant Illinois and that I was to follow the Illinois regulation of three days in advance notice. She assured me that no one from Illinois who does this has ever had any problem with federal marshals, etc.
I did exactly that, boarded the plane for Portugal, breezed through customs in Porto, had an excellent experience in this beautiful country, traveled back to O’hare airport, where I got the expected X on my passport scan, but had a very light questioning (“Where are you traveling from”) and made it to baggage claim before my bags came out. Also, no baggage search: officer at that desk asked my social number, and replied go out that door and have a nice day. (Are they getting easier, or was I just lucky?)
I will now return to local police (within three days of arriving home) and change address from Portugal to my home in Chicago.
I’m not giving advice to anyone, just reporting what happened to me. I’m now very encouraged about returning to Europe which seems to be easy peasy, and am planning a trip with my wife to Norway next summer. I’ll probably stick to Schengen countries — many beautiful and welcoming places to go.
Update on your trip? Im thinking of planning a trip to spain soon.
Has anyone had problems with Serbia or Montenegro??? thanks
We have no confirmed reports on Serbia or Montenegro. While they are not part of the Schengen zone,
we predict you should be able to travel as a tourist without a problem.
Paul Rigney
214-624-2552
Thx Paul, Im going to plan a trip in October then, question, with the tickets there is one layover in London, where we can’t enter, will I have to go through customs in London??? i will be transitioning to a different airline in London then to Serbia.
I think it is very risky connecting in London. There may be a “transit lounge,” but my guess is if it’s a different airline you will go to customs but not make it through, and have to return to the US. Definitely find a connection that doesn’t go through London. I was connecting in London for a cruise from Southampton, would be picked up at Heathrow by a dedicated van, and would be in the UK for maybe 30 minutes, but customs wouldn’t let me to get to the van and made me fly right back to the US at my own great expense and also blowing off the cruise fare.
I’m also asking once again if anyone has any report about Portugal.
UK immigration is the worse. For some reason, they seem obsessed with the idea that everybody wants to emigrate to the UK.
Is it correct to infer from your comment that anywhere in Schengen area there are no issues? Very nervous about booking international travel after being interrogated in Jamaica and the DO.
Thank you for what you do, it’s very much appreciated.
Did Jamaica let you in? And what is DO? Did DO let you in?
I wanna bump my comments from before. If I fly into Germany, as per my itenary, do I need to stay there or can I take the train everywhere else? The 21 day thing is kind of vague. Just wanted to know. Thanks in advance. Look at my other prior posts for more info. Just look for the smoking monkey.
Anyone try to get a UK visa to let you back in? I have been to the UK 4 times a year for 10 years when now this new Passport came into effect. Until last year it was breeze thru, then last year I would get questioned and go on my way. Was just a waste of time but better then the folks in India who approved my Visa then turned me away when I got there.
So even with a SO conviction you were allowed into the UK? I’m off the registry and don’t have the marker in my passport. But my understanding is if you have any conviction you can’t get it.
Has anyone gone to Turks and cacios and what was your experience.
The identifier is a passport endorsement, currently printed inside the back cover of the passport book, which reads: “The bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor, and is a covered sex offender pursuant to 22 United States Code Section 2(c)(l).” Since endorsements cannot be printed on passport cards, covered sex offenders cannot be issued passport cards.
Anyone been to Medellin Colombia?
any issues?
Just got back home from Asia, I had got my girlfriend pregnant just found out also, was hassled extra hard coming back into the country by customs and had to talk to a US marshall because I didn’t give them my full itinerary and everywhere I was going to be, I want to marry my GF but I know due to Adam Walsh act this is near impossible but with her being pregnant how could I go about registering my child as a US citizen?i heard that’s huge hurdle to overcome as well, why would they want to keep you away from your family? Really need Help!
It is a big hurdle due to Adam walsh. Make sure you get a good lawyer to help you with the process. I’m in process with this and my wife just got her work card. You pretty much have to make a case saying you will not endanger your wife.
@ Allen any update on your situation. My girlfriend is from the Philippines, we met each other working abroad. Trying to see if i can help her come to the US as im planning to marry her in the future. Im rso but will be off registry in 5 years. Anyone that has any advice on this matter would love to hear back… thank you!
@James – Can you provide us some more details about your return? You said you were questioned by a US Marshall. Did customs call US Marshall? Was the US Marshall waiting for you? What questions did they ask you?
This is the first I’ve heard of this happening so would be helpful for others to get as much info from you as possible. Thanks in advance!
what part of Asia did you visit?
Your child automatically derives U.S. Citizenship from you! You just have to file/apply for it, snd his Passport! My advice to you is MOVE to where they are (if you can), and apply through the U.S. Embassy, there! THEN, it is a completely new application process for his Mother, one in which a good lawyer can advise you on! That is the best way around skinning that cat!
Where did you go in Asia??? Did you have any trouble traveling there? Did you have the passport marker?
Travelling to Italy in 3 weeks. I will update this after my trip.
I applied and received a passport and like many here, it did NOT come with any identifier.
I went to my local registration office (which is done at the county level here) to give the 21 day notice. I was prepared with a full itinerary; however, they had no real way of handling the 21 day notice, they just my address of record a hotel addresses and listed it as a “temporary change of lodging” and noted this was for the 21 day notice.
She said that this information would be forwarded to the State Police who would forward it in turn to “the feds” Other than dates and the one address she didn’t need or want any other info.
At first she said she “recommended” that I call the State Police; she later said I “needed” to call them as they would have further questions.
I called the State Police who asked for the dates, which countries, my passport number and the address and dates for each lodging in Italy. They said that they merely forward the information to the Feds and that she had no knowledge of what they do it with. She claimed that I “needed” to contact Italy to make sure I wouldn’t be turned away.
Both the county and the state level folks were polite but careful to distance themselves from the Feds. The State police officer wasn’t very bright and thought that Venice was a city in the country of Rome, etc. So I’m taking everything she says with a grain of salt.
My home state is NOT compliant with SORNA and it was apparent that neither the county nor the state had any interest in bothering me, or making me do what they thought was the bare minimum reporting.
I don’t really know what would’ve happened if I hadn’t called the State Police. I don’t know if my appearance at the local county registration office would’ve been sufficient.
It is irritating that compliance is so haphazard and slapped together on LE part, but a felony for me if I miss a beat.
I will update after my trip.
John…thanks for the note. I look forward to seeing how it goes. You are correct, you can ask 5 different registration officers…and get five different answers to all of this…but if we make one mistake we get slammed.
When I went to give 21 day notice some officers had no idea…while others knew but did not know steps….it was very frustrating.
Hey John. I too wanna go to Italy. I was curious. What state are you in? I have so may questions about the “21 day notice”. My “crime” wasn’t against a minor, so no identifier on my passport. It’s been 5 years since I was released from the brig, and put on the registry. I have 5 or 10 more to go. Anyway, I was just wondering what was fully needed for a trip. I was planning on just hopscotching around like a normal person in Europe, as my cousin lives in Austria and my girlfriend lives in Italy. I wanted to just fly into Germany, stay a night with a friend there, and then take the train to Italy. But if I don’t have an address in Italy for a hotel as I was gonna just wing it, like a normal person would who is backpacking across Europe, what would they say? Did you have any gaps in your itenary where they questioned you? I look forward to your after report.
How is this not illegal? That’s what I want to know. My right to movement is being impeded due to my NEEDING a hotel room? What if I just wanted to sleep in a field in the middle of the Alps? Do I need to have an address for that? Sorry for the rant. I, like ALL of us here are really frustrated. Good luck and have fun!
Hey Jim,
I’m from Oregon. Honestly, I don’t know how much the Feds were scrutinizing the itinerary. I do know that on the way back, the US officials didn’t ask me if there were any changes to my itinerary. In fact, they didn’t ask much at all. I will post a trip report in a bit.
So I’m back. And it went surprisingly smooth.
Flew to Italy with a layover in Frankfurt. Was surprised to have a border check on my passport at the Frankfurt airport. I’m guessing its because it was my first point of entry into the Schengen area. Had no problems with the official and they stamped my passport and waived me in. My status was never brought up. It may be possible that since my itinerary was entirely in Italy, Angel Watch sent info only to Italy and Germany had no idea. I’m guessing on that though and I might be entirely wrong.
Missed our connection flight in Frankfurt and ended up going on a later flight. This deviation from the info given to the Feds didn’t seem to cause any problems.
I don’t remember any passport check when we arrived in Rome. This could be because it was considered a “domestic” flight from another Schengen country. I have no Italy stamps in my passport from my trip.
Upon return we again had a connecting flight in Frankfurt and we were surprised with multiple security checks (for everybody, I wasn’t singled out) including another passport inspection and exit stamp.
Upon arriving into the US, there were a couple of customs entries (not sure not just one.) At the first layer, I was guided into a line that was obviously used to check visitors not citizens. However, the official was polite didn’t bring up my status at all but wrote a symbol on the ticket we were given. Everybody was given these tickets (to hand to the next layer)but only I had the symbol.
At the next layer, the screening official saw the symbol and politely directed me to a waiting area (not a separate room). After all the other passengers in the line had gone through and were gone, an officer came to talk to me.
They had me put my bag through an extra machine, asked if I had any film that could be damaged etc.
At that point the officer asked what happened on my trip, what went wrong. I was confused and said nothing went wrong. He then asked whey was my trip cut short and I was returned. I said I wasn’t, everything went according to plan. He then went and checked something on the computer. He appeared to be confused at fist what the issue was. It was pretty clear that the Feds had put some sort of alert for the US customs officials but the message had gotten confused.
After reading whatever the computer told him, he politely asked me if Italy had interrogated me or threatned to return me. I said no. He then asked what my crime was, how long ago it was, etc. When he found out it was 20 years ago, he asked if I was still on probation or parole of if I had done my time and moved on. I explained that I was no longer on any kind of supervision.
I was surprised when he then thanked me for being upfront and honest, apologizing for bring up what must be a painful topic and said I was free to go.
The entire interrogation lasted no more than 10 minutes. Everybody was polite. They did not manually search my bags. And they did not ask to look at my pictures (I had my camera with me and I had a gopro action camera in my bag.) I did not have a phone or computer with me. I had left those at home.
Sadly, I think my experience may have been an exception. But in my case, the experience was much less stressful than I was expecting. Honestly, I was dreading it.
While I still disagree with the entire principle of the thing, I cannot fault the officials in the way they handled it.
John,
All things considered that’s not bad. I’ve only had bad experiences with CBP.
I have a few questions-
I am a RSO (no jail, probation, only offense but it is with a minor) and have avoided travel for 20 years, but now have to. I am traveling with my family in October. We are flying into Copenhagen then driving or the train to Sweden for a week. Next spring we are supposed to visit family in New Zealand. What can I expect? I don’t want to embarrass my daughter. I read that New Zealand was a no. This is where my husband is from and his father is ill. Does anyone have any experiences? Last question. Other that your registration office, where are you supposed to call and inform that you are coming? The consulate?
Melissa, you are not going to get into New Zealand… You can hang that up Lol
I received notice that my passport was revoked and i needed to apply for a new one with the indicated marker. Under my state laws and as a condition registration i am only required to register once a year and only those who reside in my house hold can accsess my registration. In oregon we have no registration officers and are not required to do anything but the once a year registration in regards to traveling etc. I dont see how this could even work. I am in the process of getting off the registration. How do i go about notifying the angel watch center?
John….I will let others comment….but when I was doing research on all of this….I saw comments that if all else fails contact the US Marshall’s Office since that is where the info is sent anyway…and I believe they in turn give it to Angel Watch. I don’t believe there is anyway to contact Angel Watch directly…I may be wrong.
https://smart.gov/international_travel.htm
Rick,
I believe you are correct on contacting Angel Watch directly. It’s more of a place that exists, but never answers.
An update for everyone. I received an unmarked passport recently and just came back from my first international trip in many years. I flew from Seattle to Geneva, Switzerland with a stop in Frankfurt, Germany. Passport control in Germany was as easy as passing through and getting the stamp. When I arrived in Geneva, there were three plain clothes officers checking passports. It was very clear that this was for me specifically. I was pulled aside and walked to a private area. They were polite in their questioning: asked about my itinerary (which I had a printed copy ready for them), who I was meeting (my wife was traveling from another country to meet me), how long I would be there etc. During the questions, they had me unpack my bag and show them everything. After an inspection and having my hands tested for residue, I was welcomed to the country.
Flying back home I traveled through Reykjavik, Iceland. Same as Frankfurt, pass through and get the stamp. Getting back to Seattle, I scanned my passport in and received a slip with an X on it. No surprises there. Talked to an agent briefly before he informed me that we had to go downstairs for additional screening. Met with two or three other agents who asked questions of me and my wife about the trip. They first asked if I knew why I was detained. I said that I guessed that it was due to my SO in my background. That seemed to help the process along since I was honest and direct and non defensive. They went through both of our luggage and took my phone to be screened somehow. We waited for that process for about 30 minutes. The entire thing took maybe an hour maximum. The officers treated us with respect.
My advice, stay cool and calm. They know our pasts, it’s on their screens, but own your mistakes and be upfront. Even if someone is a jerk, they are going to let you back into your own country. Don’t have a short layover for a connecting flight! We were lucky to fly directly home from Iceland but would have likely missed another flight if we had one lined up.
Lastly, go to Switzerland! It’s great. Hell, go to all of the places that are part of the Schengen Area. We might have struggles going everywhere in the world, but there are 25 or so countries right there that will let us in without issue.
Plan well, be safe!
Peter,
I learned the hard way on the short layover thing. I tried to fly into SEATAC with an 1 1/2 hour layover to fly some where else. SEATAC’s area for passengers coming into the US was the old area (I understand they have now opened a larger one) and even skipping up the line (which I begged people to do) I still had to go through the mandatory interrogation. By the time I got to the transfer desk it was too late. Thank fully they rebooked me on a later flight on another airlines.
As for staying cool and calm that one is difficult for me. I am honest with them, but when they take up a large amount of time I tend to get pissy.
I recently inquired with the Malaysian Consulate on traveling there because I wanted to go with my girlfriend.
I’ll state the facts:
I’m a felon with lifetime requirement
I received my passport in April of 2019 with no stamps
I’m exempt from internet posting
I’ve copied the email chain from the Malaysian Consulate.
What I would like to know if anyone has inquired and received the same response I did but was still turned away when they went to Malaysia?
I also find it interesting that they use the term “blacklist”.
Re: Travel to Malaysia
From:Atase New York ([email protected])
Date:Monday, August 26, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT
Upon review of your passport details with the Malaysian immigration system, you do not have any blacklist to enter Malaysia.
Best regards,
________________________________________
From:
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2019 6:32:41 PM
To: Atase New York
Subject: Re: Travel to Malaysia
Thank for your response.
I’ve attached photos of my passport and I don’t have any stamps on my endorsement pages.
——– Original message ——–
From: Atase New York
Date: 8/19/19 13:57 (GMT-08:00)
To:
Subject: Re: Travel to Malaysia
Dear ,
Thank you for contacting us. Please provide us with your current US passport and any special stamping on the passport for us to review.
Best regards,
Immigration Office
________________________________________
From: Konsulat Jeneral Malaysia Los Angeles
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2019 1:06 PM
To: Atase New York
Subject: Fw: Travel to Malaysia
Thank you.
________________________________________
From:
Sent: Saturday, August 10, 2019 12:18 PM
To: Konsulat Jeneral Malaysia Los Angeles
Subject: Travel to Malaysia
Hello,
My name is and I would like some information regarding travel to your country as a registered sex offender.
I live in Los Angeles county and I am required to register once a year but I am exempt from being posted on the website.
Would I be allowed entry into Malaysia for a vacation with my girlfriend?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Regards,
Please let me know if you are able to go to Malaysia. I used to live in KL and would love to go back but I’ve been worried I would be denied entry. I don’t have an identifier on my passport
Did ypu ever find out anything about Malaysia? Do you know anything about Papua New Guinea? I want to find some ooff the rafar way of getting into Indonesia! I have heard that tbere are many sailing yachts that take on contributing crew from French New Caledonia to Bali! That would be perfect for me as I can fake checking in with the Harbour Master or smsll Immigration Office!
I received the EXACT same response from Thailand Immigration when I emailed their person in charge at the airport I was flying into. When I arrived, I was cordially denied entry! They said that RSOs eill only be added to the Blacklist after they arrive, and have been denied! I just booked a flight to Hong Kong and all was well!
Did you go to Malaysia? If so, or not, please elaborate on your experience! Thanks!
Did your conviction involve a minor?
Turned in my revoked passport via Fed-Ex this week. Applying for a new one this weekend. Will let the group know of anything out of the ordinary in the process.
Just an update. I did receive my passport….it did have the identifier on it,…and on the ID page itself under Endorsements….it says “see page 27″…which is where the identifier is….those kind of endorsements I can do without.
Another problem with this government ‘endorsement’ and identifier on the new passport is when its used other than for travel, like showing the hotel in a foreign country or showing it for boat or car rental in a foreign country. Bad enough that its available for any border official to see but how about all the others who will take notice and either refuse service or ask for an awkward explanation while others listen in.
Do all passports have the “see page 27” on them? Mine does but then there isn’t anything on page 27.
I was detaned in a over night holding cell monitored by a guard in the manilla airport. This was my 4th trip to see my wife. The security officials made up a story that i was offensive and abusive to there personnel. My wife tried desperately to help me but could not. Time before i brought my 12 year old son with me to meet my wife, no problems. I was flown back to america the next day and have not been able to see my wife in over 4 years.
Ok…. let me get this.. How can they retroactively enforce this law if it’s been deemed unconstitutional by states and also including the US Constitution? I cant wrap my head around this. I’m planning on going to Aruba. I was on 10 year term in Pennsylvania, then went to life, then to 25 year, then to 15 year, and now I have a court order saying that I dont have to register under Sorna, but I have to finish off my 10 year term. Wtf am I missing out here? Sounds to me that America is so fuckd up. IML needs to be challenged on retroactiveness, due process, and other factors you people have mentioned here. Let’s work together and get something into the work of a petition. Email me at [email protected]
Was looking at going to Italy after the first of the year….I have the unique identifier. I have seen the posts about no issues while there and entering…I was looking at connecting in Frankfurt…avoiding London….anyone have issues with this route. So crazy have to ask such detail advice about travel….I just want to take a vacation to Rome….and the potential drama just makes the enthusiasm wane some.
Look forward to any insight anyone has.
Hi Rick,
I went through Frankfurt both coming and going on my trip to Italy. I had no problems. I did not have the unique identifier.
Good luck,
– John
Thanks I appreciate it…may be going to Paris too…I appreciate the info.
I have been to Italy and Germany every year for the past 6 years with my next trip at end of January, 2020.
The only thing I experienced was last year coming and going thru Frankfurt a “problem” with my passport at Frankfurt. Other than questions about my trip before and after, and 30 extra minutes it was uneventful.
Also, one time in Rome I flew thru Madrid no problem. However, on day 2 the Time Police stopped at the apartment I was renting. They were very professional just confirming who I was, my plans and then on there way.
Except for last year, anytime I returned to the US I went through a secondary screening. This was uneventful and I’m most cases just sat in waitimg room while they processed my return. Last year, I loaded the app on my phone and cleared customs in my home city (DFW). I didn’t have any secondary screening and was clear customs like any other citizen.
For me, it made any passport or border patrol’s job easier keeping in mind that they are just doing their job. They almost seem appreciate it when I am accommodating and forthcoming with direct answers to any questions. Yes, it can be stressful. But, as I read in earlier posts, own it and don’t let this define you. We all have unique requirements m. Learn them and don’t try to beat the system. You will loose sooner or later…
Yeah that is really crazy how Blizzard banned that streamer. All he was doing was standing up for the protesters in Hong Kong! And all so Blizzard can protect their interests in China. How sad…
Giving international travel a try for the first time since my conviction (traveling to France). I’ve been reading through a lot of this thread to be better aware of what to expect.
I realized after I booked my trip it was under the 21 day notice. The sheriff’s office here in Oregon said I should contact the feds since it’s a federal law. I contacted USMS National Sex Offender Targeting Center at 202-616-1600 and was told that as long as the travel notification was submitted to them my travel would not be an issue.
I’m probably just being over anxious about this, but when you give the authorities the location you are staying do they contact the hotel too or just local law enforcement? I’m concerned about showing up and not having a place to stay because of my past. Should I expect being questioned by local law enforcement once I get to France?
When I’m in France if I decided to hop on a train and visit another country would that get me in trouble since it’s not part of the planned itinerary that was submitted in the travel notification?
I see that I will be detained upon arrival back to the USA for questioning. Sounds like I should plan on it being a lengthy process. What can I expect to be asked?
I also want to know this. I want to go to Europe and see the “Old Country” also. If anyone can please expound on the process, I would love it. I live in Nevada also.
Hi J,
I traveled to Italy in September. I got no indication that the Feds contacted hotels. Some of the places I stayed were pretty small and I’m sure I would’ve known if somebody had contacted them.
Hope this puts your mind at ease a bit.
Good luck,
– John
If you do not have a direct flight be careful of where you make your connections. I traveled to Italy but went separate from my family because they were going through Heathrow London. I am not sure if there would have been a problem but wanted to take the safe route. England is a place you cannot go. None of the European countries care about the US’s ridiculous SO laws. Don’t try to use Air BNB or you may get your entire family banned. I went through JFK to Milan. Make certain you have time for at least a 2 hour delay when you hit customs back in the US. They will ask you if you have ever been convicted of a crime. I am sure by the way they do this they are trying to bait you to lie. I always give them honest answers and avoid going into detail unless they push. At JFK customs has two lines. US citizens and everyone else. If you are an SO you go with everyone else. When you finally get to the customs agent he will ask you the embarrassing question of what were you convicted of. Then you wait 15 – 30 minutes standing in front of hundreds of people for another agent to take you to an office. If you are on probation make certain you have a travel permit from the appropriate authority. Here in Colorado you have to get permission from a judge. They may or may not ask you if you have any paperwork to prove you have permission to travel. They will also ask you to tell them what your offense was. I just give them what I was convicted of. The second time my wife and I traveled outside the US I had her pick up our bags. This saved me having immigration dig through my dirty laundry. As long as you have your travel requirements covered it is just embarrassing. It is only embarrassing if you let yourself be embarrassed.
why do you have to go to the line “for everyone else”?
I am not everyone else. I am a US Citizen. I am not moving to the other line. I can wait ALL DAMN DAY! I do not get embarrassed and I have dealt with this shit long enough to know it will only get worse.
The registration form says ‘if available’, if you are not sure of where you are staying, you do not have to provide it. They require you to let them know of the country you are traveling to and returning from. If you are traveling to another country when you arrive and not sure where you are going, which is common in EU, then it is up to you to notify them or not – if you know in advance. You do not have to provide the same information that you do on a regular registration for where you live etc, the police dept here tried to ask me for all of that and by the rules at the time, I did not have to, nor did I know where I was staying – there is information on the IML website, and the actual form – I suggest following that, but providing the minimum they ask. There are many trips that people take that they are ‘trekking’ cycling, driving, etc that a lot of this information is simply not available. The main thing is get educated and read as much as you can. You will likely get stopped/held/harassed coming back into the US – they can and will search your electronic devices – it is legal, expect that, would not bring a computer, and make sure there is not anything that would cause any reason to ask more questions, do not ‘volunteer’ info, I did that, and they searched even more. Answer only what they ask, cooperate and you should be fine – I have had all my stuff searched, everything, twice, it sucks, so make sure you do not have a connecting flight anytime soon! I have asked attorneys, NARSOL and even people that run this site about suggestions, rights etc on traveling BACK into the US, they are all either afraid to answer or simply won’t. Good luck and don’t stress too much! Oh, do NOT fly into/thru Heathrow/UK! You might (likely) get denied entry, France, Portugal, and many others are fine, even Iceland (just came back from there) was no problem.
I want to drive in to Mexico. Has anyone done this from Texas? I know you get turned back at the airports but didn’t know if driving was an option.
If you are an SO you are required to let the US marshals know you are traveling. They will contact the Mexican immigration and they will turn you back. If you don’t contact the Marshals you will probably be arrested when you return to the US. I believe it is a 10 year sentence.
Sail there from Los Angeles, or Chula Vista or Imperial Beach in the San Diego area, and hop off at Rosarita Beach, or Ensenada! Then travel by luxury bus! 90% of Marinas will have bulletin boards advertising ssilboats heading south!
IF you know how to sail, buy your own sailboat and sail there! If contacted on VHF, state that you are sailing directly to Iztapa, Guatemala, and will contact them if you require emergency repairs, which will be the only way they will be forced to allow you Entry…….
Lots of folks aren’t getting passport stamps. I believe part of the reason for this is because some folks are first offenders whose convictions have been dismissed (covered sex offender = someone whose been convicted of a sex offense against a minor). If you have a dismissed conviction, but nonetheless have a passport stamp, please disconfirm my theory by chiming in. Otherwise, anyone else with dismissed convictions who also did not receive passport stamps?
I have a dismissed conviction in TX, but am still required to register for an offense 22 years ago (when i myself was a “minor”). i have not yet reapplied for a new passport, but i have also not been notified that my current passport has been revoked.
Fighting to get off,
Have you been in contact with Attorney Steve Scott in Austin regarding this?
I incorrectly gave the wrong name. The correct name is Attorney Scott Smith. 512-474-6484.
My advice to anyone who was issued a passport without the required statement but who haven’t yet had their passports revoked, try using the “Correct a data or printing error” option on their website while your passport is still valid. Perhaps you might have a chance to get it remedied before they revoke it. Once that happens, however, you’re out of luck it seems.
I received my first passport in 2019 without the identifier and it was revoked after I traveled. Once this happened, I started researching the issue (wish I had done this earlier!). According to the regulations, the Secretary of State was not authorized by law to issue the passport without it, nevertheless, mine was issued anyway. Instead of correcting their error, they simply revoked it with the only remedy for me being to reapply. I fought this in correspondence and via calls to them, to no avail. In resignation I ended up reapplying.
Is there the possibility of a class-action suit for those of us who have been wronged by the State Department in this manner? Why should we have to pay twice for a passport that should have been printed correctly the first time? The law seems to be on our side in this regard.
I was issued both a passport card and book in 2018 without the marker. While my conviction was against a minor I have been off the registry for about 10 years. From my understanding of the law you are a “covered” SO if you are still on the registry. If you don’t have to be registered you don’t have the marker.
As someone who has travelled with a newly issued unmarked passport I can update this information a bit. I travelled in August and just recently received a letter from the good old government saying that my brand new issued by them passport needed to be immediately turned over. I am able to reapply for the passport with the marker but there is no information on how to do so, since I had attempted to do this very thing to start with.
I am frustrated but not giving up because having a marked passport, even though it is a scarlet letter, still means we can travel to the safe countries on these lists. The world might not be wide open to us, but a large part still is.
So if you got a new passport with no mark and travelled, be ready for a letter similar to mine.
I would try to request a correction from the Department of State before you get the letter. It may be your best shot at not having to pay twice for it.
Can a person travel with a passport issued in 2019 now in 2021? Or do you feel they will be denied entry to a safe country?
Planning a trip to the British Virgin islands. Any issues that anyone knows about? Do they follow the same immigration rules as England?
Don’t even attempt it. You will be prevented from even getting a boarding pass at the airport. The airline will scan your passport and you will be instantly denied by UK Immigration which also oversees the BVI. The American Virgin Islands are nice though and right next to the BVI. Hopefully you read this before you plan out the whole trip!
Thanks for the info HGMS. Are you speaking from first hand experience? Did you attempt to get to the BVI and were denied a boarding pass in the US? I was wondering if it would be any easier, flying into St. Thomas (USVI) and taking the ferry over to BVI. Probably the same outcome.
Here is what I received from the British Virgin Islands Immigration.
I regret to inform you that based on the Immigration and Passport Act of the British Virgin Islands, which is the law that governs the Immigration Department and its ability to allow entry into the Territory, your request for entry is being denied, as you are deemed to be an undesirable person, based on Section 23(1)(n) of the Act, and consultation with the Immigration Department and Attorney General Chambers. Therefore, any attempt to enter the BVI will be futile at this time, as entry will be denied by the Immigration Officer, and you will be subject to an immediate departure from the Territory.
Sail there from St. John!
Go to Guadeloupe, or ANY other non-UK European Caribbean Territory! Guadeloupe is INCREDIBLY GORGEOUS!
I was convicted of “Illicit Solicitation of a minor”, a fifteen year old “boy” (actually a police officer posing as such)who responded to an Ad. I had on Craig’s.
I was sentenced to five years suspended sentence, five years probation and must attend Sex Offender Counseling.
I have two nationalities. Brazilian and American. I was born in Brazil, but am an American Citizen by means of Naturalization.
I have been an American Citizen for over 35 years. I am 59 years old. My sentence expires on March of 2022.
I have a sister in Brazil who is older than I am. I had plans of one day after retirement going back to Brazil to end my days in the country I miss, and was born in.
I did not have child pornography in my computer, and was not convicted of any child pornography crime such as Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography however, the sentence and punishment seems to be the same.
Being a Brazilian Citizen besides an American Citizen, I don’t think Brazil can deny me entry into the country but, better safe than sorry.
I do not want to go to the Brazilian Consulate in Boston. Actually, I don’t need to go. I have a valid Brazilian Passport obtain after my conviction. I did not mention my conviction, and they seemed unaware of it. I just felt that I would be better off not exposing myself at that point, since I have no plans to travel until my sentence expires.
Does anyone here has any info of what I should and should not do?
Should I raise the flag myself before the time comes?
Will my American Passport be marked?
To be honest, I have read a lot about the subject but every site seems to have a different spin on it.
I am saddened by the fact that all I did, was to talk dirty on the internet, and never had any actual sexual contact with any minors in my life. To find myself in this situation I feel is unfair.
In my opinion, it amounts to nothing more than Cruel, Unusual and Unnecessary Punishment.
Hello! I got lucky and married a Swiss woman. We left the US last year. I received my B permit and can stay in Switzerland permanently. If at all possible,leave the US. My FBI report contained inaccurate information. Here, they could care less about old convictions. I left prison after 18 months in 1985. The peace here is unbelievable. In a couple of years I will apply for a Swiss passport. I’m done with the US.
Best to all.
That’s great man I’m about a month or two away from leaving the US permanently as well. Spent less than a year in jail over it but they’re telling me i won’t be able to petition to get off the registry for another 8 years so I’m done. Thought about going south but most likely heading to europe instead they’re definitely more relaxed for the most part. I will be giving them the bare minimum as far as the 21 day notice, day 21 i’m on that plane and out of here. I’m not locking myself into an itinerary either or book hotel rooms just to lose money if i’m denied entry and you can’t report what you don’t know so all they’re getting is my destination country from that point tho i may jump flight and board to somewhere else.
I figure once you’re out of their jurisdiction it’s really not their problem anymore anyways. I’m not sure if i’m required to notify every single country I’m planning on visiting or not tho once i’m out. They just want you to because it increases the likelihood of them sending you back to the states which is what they want, control. I just can’t live in the U.S. anymore with this shit so i’m giving it up, America is too far gone and i’ll be sacrificing everything knowing i’ll be leaving never to return but i have to have a life.
You will not be refused entry to Europe, and Once you are outside of the U.S., you do not have to notify anyone anymore! UF you do not have a marked Passport, be prepared for them to cancel your Passport! It happened to me! The U.S. canceled mine the day after I landed in Hong Kong! The problem no one told me! When I arrived at HKG to fly to ARN (Stockhölm) Hong Kong let me fly on the canceled Passport, and did not even tell me that it was canceled. The Customs Supervisor in Sweden was the only one who told me, and then he said, “Welcome to Sweden” with a Smile! He then advised me that if I planned on leaving Sweden, including flying or taking the train to another part of Europe, that I had to go to the U.S. Embassy there to sort it out! They took my unmarked Passport and had me pay for another Passport that would be marked! It is only good for a year, so I have to renew it every 10 to 12 months, depending on travel requirements! I just found out that I can apply to stay in Europe permanently! I don’t have to work as I receive over $3100 per month as a single 100% Service Connected Disabled Veteran (Straight PTSD)! I will return to Hong Kong as soon as the Airports here in Nepal open back up, where I will marry my Indonesian Fiance! I met her a couple of weeks after arriving there my first time last April! Then we will fly to Holland or Sweden together! I can return to Hong Kong without needing to Self Quarantine because I flew here from Hong Kong on January 1st, and have not traveled outside of Nepal since arriving here…
Guatemala, Hong Kong and Nepal are great places to visit!
Take Care and Stay in Touch!
[email protected]
I was on a cruise, I was turned away at Roaten Hondorus, Went to scan my sea pass when leaving ship and It beeped twice rather then once, I looked at the screen and it said entry denied. Spoke with the head security officer on board and he said he contacted Hondorian customs and they search manifests the day before and I was red flagged. It was a Bummer but I just stayed on the ship that day.
Just curious if someone is rso in a state that is non sorna.. Is all this passport stuff only pertaining to sorna? If you crime meets dorms
Trying to get off the registery in Wisconsin which I have no idea will happen but the money for
The lawyer is worth a shot. Thinking about waiting to see if my duty to register is over before renewing my old pre conviction passport.
Btw this site is great. Iv been extremely anxious lately and glad to see that conversation for us rso is starting to take place. This is just the beginning of our unjust situations.
Hello. I was planning a trip to see my best friend in Japan and just now found this site. Looks like Japan will turn me back. Can I instead travel to Hong Kong first and then, on a separate ticket, travel to Japan? I’ve looked to see if anyone has address this issue in the comments but cannot find anything. I am tier 1 but have the stamp in the back of my passport since the girl I was dating at the time was 14.
Im going to attempt a Japan trip in April. Its a 50/50 according to other stories I have read. If your sentence was less than a year, if you haven’t been denied in Japan in the last 5 years and if the crime wasn’t drug related you have a 50/50 chance of getting in. It depends on the immigration person that evaluates you. Some people on SOR have gotten in. But its your choice.
Japan will reject you unless you have Japanese blood and establish your Koseki through a Japanese Embassy, OR unless you grew up there from at least the age of four, and apply for Japanese Citizenship!
According to the comments in this thread, my problem is unusual. My SOAR officer has never asked me for a detailed itinerary, only for the name of the initial destination country. For the last two years, this has been a country in Europe. After I land, I travel to other countries, also in Europe.
Now I have learned on this site that we are supposed to supply a detailed itinerary. According to the SMART.gov website (https://smart.gov/international_travel.htm) the required information is as follows:
Destination(s):
• Dates/places of departure, arrival and return (if applicable), including the name of the city/town that is the point of departure from each country
• Means of travel (air, train, ship)
• Itinerary details (when available), including the name of the airport/train station/port, the flight/train/ship number, the time of departure, the time of arrival and information about any intermediate stops
So it looks like what’s OK with the local SOAR unit might be a violation with the US Marshalls. My question is: can I get in trouble for landing in my SOAR-approved destination country and then flying to other ones that are not listed, because my SOAR cops have not requested it?
And here’s another fear: Is it possible that the destination country might notify the US when I land? If so, would I then be in trouble, even though the local cops cleared my “itinerary,” just because that city/country was not listed?
Has anyone recently traveled to Germany? Any problems entering? Calling the consulate hasn’t gotten me any answers- nobody seems to know the answer. My husband is registered as a tier 3 from and offense that happened nearly 20yrs ago with no other offenses since then. we are worried he won’t be able to enter to visit family.
ALL of Europe and their non-UK European Territories WELCOME us with wide open arms!
Germany, as well as ALL of Schengen Europe, and their far flung Territories, including many islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific, WELCOME us with WIDE OPEN ARMS!
This is true Jess at least for now
Paul
Paul… Do you know anything about Russia, and any countries in Africa…? I am actively looking for my second sailboat to sail around the world!
Call me 214-624-2552
Carey please let the group know what you find out. I was planning the same trip but had decided to stick to the friendly Caribbean islands. If I can still do it, all the better. A hurdle I was coming up with was passage through the Panama Canal. Since Panama won’t allow entry, it’s impossible so might have to have a sailboat trucked across a nearby friendly country?
Hi all,
I am an RSO in WA state. My passport is unmarked due to my offense being against an adult.
My fiancee and I left on 11/21/19 for a two week trip to Scandinavia.
The first stop was to Iceland (layover). I was sweating so hard that if I hadn’t been wearing a black knit shirt the passport officer would’ve had to stop me because my pit stains would have been clear as day and I looked “guilty”. Instead, he looked at me, looked at my picture, stamped it and said have a nice stay. Hurdle number one: clear.
Then on to Sweden to spend the first week. Being a Schengen country, there was no passport control from Iceland at all.
Hurdle number two: clear.
Back to Iceland for the second and final week of our vacation. Again, smooth sailing; no controls.
Hurdle three… yep, clear.
Leaving Iceland we had our passports stamped again. Presumably because we were leaving the Schengen group.
Arrived at Sea-Tac Airport. Once again sweating balls. They have installed self serve passport scanners since my last trip through international arrivals. Hers comes up “clean”, mine has a big fat “X” over my picture.
We are sent to another line and the passport agent escorts us down to the bag search area. I was prepared for this since I’d researched all angles before attempting this trip. I’d even left my phone at home due to my lady and I having had a few intimate moments recorded; neither one of us really felt it necessary to share those times with law enforcement.
Prior to my leaving I had consulted with my attorney who told me that NY had just had a court case wherein Customs and Immigration were informed that they had no right to search traveler’s electronics. He also said that it may not matter to the Seattle officers so again, I left mine behind.
The officer was friendly and polite. He didn’t even ask about my phone. He did search our things thoroughly. He also tried to trip me up about my address. Then we were sent on our merry way.
Sorry about the ramble. Hope this helps someone.
Jeff,
Looks like you are the most recent Iceland experience, which gives me hope. My lady and I would like to travel to Iceland from the US this September, and I’m doing my research. I thought about reaching out to the consulate, and even by county registration department, but this site looks to be a huge help..especially the matrix!
If anyone else has any input on Iceland, please share!
Thanks!
Does anyone know about Martinique?
You should be OK, since it’s a French territory
Can anyone offer info on whether Virginia or D.C. is better for RSO’s? I’m moving there soon and they’re literally across the street from each other. I do know that D.C. does not put your home address on the internet, only the number of the block that you live on which is nice. Also, my conviction was in California where I’m not considered a sexually violent predator. Virginia classisfies my crime as such that I will be a “SVP” in that state. Any information will help. This site is a great way for all of in this horrible situation to communicate and help one another. Stay positive everybody!
Dear SP,
I am a RSO in VA. VA does have stricter compliance requirements for RSOs. I suggest you google VA SOR and look at the requirements.
Hi, I am not longer on the registry for which I am grateful. Do the laws and notices still impact me? I have an upcoming trip to St. Maarten and don’t want to be turned around. I have read that St. Maarten is “friendly” because it’s a Dutch territory so maybe my question is more of a general one.
1. Will I have to go to secondary?
2. Should I expect to have my passport invalidated upon my return AND be required to get a new one?
3. Any other issues I should be aware of
1. No (I went in November)
2. No
3. I just had to go through secondary when I returned to the US. Otherwise no problems going to Sint Maarten
Matt,
I am a RSO and my wife and I have been wanting to visit St. Maarten with my brother. Is there anything you had to do with notifying local authorities of the island when traveling there? I know what to do where I live, just didn’t want to get turned away once getting there. Thank you for any info on visiting there.
Jon,
I just told my county in TX that I was traveling international. I gave her my itinerary and she said, “Have fun”. I didn’t let St. Maarten know ahead of time, and didn’t have any problems at all. I’m not sure if St. Maarten was notified or not.
You are no longer on a registry! Apply for an unmarked Passport and fly flyyyyy away! You will not be subject to and secondary screenings as you no longer have an identifier on the Federal Systems!
Carey- if you are no longer on the registry are you able to get an unmarked passport?
Yes
paul
214-624-2552
I’m no longer on the registry and don’t have anything on my passport. However I still get the second check coming back into the US.
How did you get off the registry? Did you have an attorney help you out? Let me know. My “victim” now wants to help me clear my name because her parents were telling her what to say
First, I just wanted to thank everyone for their words of wisdom and their travel experiences, and to the spouses that support them.
Anyway my fiancee and I are planning our honeymoon. Was set on St. John but after realizing I couldn’t visit the BVI’s, we are reconsidering the destination. I am also looking into St. Bart’s. I know we would have a layover in St. Martin (going through the French side). Am I correct in thinking that when it comes to certain islands and territories of certain countries, that the parent country’s law apply to those islands/territories? I don’t want to presume and lose thousands of dollars and ruin the honeymoon if I am told I am not allowed to stay there. Any advice is appreciated.
And very nervous about when i re-enter the U.S. that I will be given issues but trying to push through it for my fiancee.
We are warmly welcomed in all of Europe’s Caribbean!
What about travel to Uganda? Does anyone have info on this?
Wow, RSO laws are so confusing. I was removed from the registry in Texas were I work and reside. I was convicted in Illinois moved to Texas and spent 10 years on the registry when it expired in Illinois, then a couple years later Texas removed me from the requirement to register. I have visited Florida a lot over the years and always register when I visit. Florida requires me to continue to register my visits. My question is: what will be my obligations if I travel from Texas to other states? what about international travel? Am I still consider a registered person by the federal government?
Jeffrey: I’m not a lawyer so take this with that in mind. There isn’t a Federal registry for state offends. The Feds receive their information from the state databases to form one national database. So if you aren’t on any state registry you shouldn’t show up on the Fed’s database. I’ve been off the registry for about 10 years and if you did a search for me on the National Sex Offender website nothing comes up. You could look yourself up to check.
Chad, if that is the case, why do you still go through secondary inspections upon return to the US? Surely there is some database
As I understand it, if you ever register in Florida, even as just a visitor, you will be on their registry for life with no provisions for removal.
Florida Action Committee currently has a lawsuit pending to remove non-residents that only visited and have been removed from their requirement to register in their home state.
Hello everyone. Just wanted to relay an overview of travel experience going to Paris and back. Feb 2020
I do have a new passport with the identifier included. I did give the 21 day notice.
Flying out no issues leaving the US airport. Used my passport to check in and go through TSA.
Arrived in Paris…went through customs…scanned my passport…officer did kind of a double take at whatever was on the screen….or maybe it was just my paranoia…but asked no questions…quickly stamped the passport and I was through. No issues at baggage claim….picked up bags…had a car waiting to be taken to the hotel. My wife and I had an awesome time in Paris…no issues…enjoyed many sites…hotel was fine.
No issues leaving Paris…you have to go through 2 or 3 checks to get out…but it is for everyone….the coronavirus is a hot topic…and was asked at each turn if I had been to China in the last two weeks…only question asked. I had not.
Upon arrival in Atlanta…where I was to get my connecting flight…went through customs…I was flagged of course….like has been reported by many….the officer…kept looking at my info on screen confused…asked if I had been arrested before…told her I had and when….she looked at other info….asked another officer to make sure she understood…said “don’t want to cause you any more delays if possible”….other officer looked at screen,…said yes…he is on the registry….said it showed my passport current and new…and I was good to go….
She handed my passport back and said thank you for your patience…I thanked her for being respectful…she said we all have a past….glad you enjoyed your trip.
I did not have to do anything else….picked up my bags and moved them to the connecting baggage area. No searches.
I know it is stressful…believe me I felt it…but in the end had no issues.
I do my research as to what countries are available to travel and enjoy vacations with my wife. I thank everyone on here sharing their experiences for making that a little easier.
I am so glad you didn’t buy into the Fear and Hysteria, here! I left the U.S. for a final time on April 1st of last year (2019), and won’t go back until my 20 years for a Level One in New York are done in 10 years!
The European Parliament passed a law that forces all of its member countries to forgive and release all non-reoffending sex offenders from registry and monitoring once it has been ten years since their actual offense! That allows us a NEW LIFE, if we just apply for residency and move there! I know a guy who applied in country after he arrived there, so you may not have to apply before leaving the States!
Since leaving the U.S., I have maxed out two 90 day tourist stops in Hong Kong, and one in Europe (Stockholm, Kobenhavn, and Napoli)! I flew here to Nepal on January 1st, and have been here ever since! I have not decided whether I will accept their offer of a one year tourist extension once the country reopens its borders… My current thoughts are to leave ー either fly back to Hong Kong, fly back to Europe, fly to Y’Isra’EL, or fly to somewhere in EUROPE’S Caribbean! Wherever I go, it won’t be back to the U.S.!
Try Albania! I would love to know if you can get in with no problem.
I had planned to fly to Hong Kong to meet up with friends in 2019. I contacted the authorities there but could not get a strait answer so I didn’t go. I went to the Philippines and was detained for 24 hrs.
Did you get a new passport with the identifier?
Is that your first International trip since being on the registry? My hunch would be that you will have issues on your next International trip. You could be blacklisted now and not know it. It happened to me.
I am looking to possibly relocate to Nicaragua. Has anyone have experience about an RSO entering the country for relocation rather than visiting? I want to do this by the end of 2020. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
I am Interested in traveling to Cuba and possible relocation I am a RSO and the vic was under 13
Have you found anything about Cubs?
Thanks
I was denied going to Dominican Republic upon arriving to DR in 2018. Some time after that, the passport updates started. I haven’t updated my passport, so I still have my original one that I also just got in 2018. Can we travel with regular passports or will we have problems because its not that new RSO passport? If anyone knows, thanks.
I want to travel but not sure what to do regarding passport. I renewed my passport in fall of 2018 and it came with no identifier. I have not moved and have never received a letter telling me that I have to get a new passport. Maryland only requires a 7 day advance notice. I have tried to find out if my passport is valid and I can not find out without reapplying. Should I go ahead and plan a trip and should I give a 21 day notice or 7 day per Maryland?
Has anyone been to Egypt? I don’t see it listed in the matrix. Any tips would be appreciated.
I’ve been digging through the comments on here. Egypt seems to be okay. It’s also on one of my lists of places to travel too.
I am looking to go to Africa in the fall once everything opens back up. Does anyone have any advice on what are the best countries to visit? What countries are a “no-go”? The only one listed on the Matrix is Kenya (of course the one I MOST want to go to). I do not know what tier my offense is on. It is a computer fed charge from 2000. All probation and required therapy are completed. I asked my local SO officer about notification for travel and he said that I didn’t need to let him know. Seemed a little shady after seeing all the comments here. I’m in Utah and a female.
Hi…
All you have to do is give the Federal Government’s required 21 days’ notice to your State’s SOMU! I would strongly encourage you to talk to them, first, before going down there… When I permanently left the U.S. in March, 2019, I went down to NYC’s SOMU (NYPD) in Lower Manhattan,and they told me to come back one to three days before my flight, because, as they put it, they don’t follow Federal Law regarding the matter. I did as told, and left the U.S. without any problems. Angel Watch will tell wherever you are going to to think very seriously about not admitting you due to your SO Status, and past, but the countries which accept our travels are use to it, and laugh about their notices and Watch Lists! That happened for me in Stockhölm, Sweden, and the Immigration Director at ARN told me that all of Europe WELCOMES us with wide open arms! We all can also qualify and apply for residency in any country in Schengen Europe at the 10 year mark of our conviction(s)!
Like you, I want to travel throughout Africa… Please let me know what you find out!
Carey
347.903.2939
PS. I am in Pokhara, Nepal, right now, living in a 5 Star Hotel Suite for only $600 U.S. per month, until can fly back to Hong Kong, where I was both before and after Europe, last year, up until January 1st, this year!
Carey, could you elaborate on the residency stuff for us in Europe? Im leaving at the end of October to leave the US permanently and I’m seriously considering renouncing if the country pushes me to it with all that harassment and hoops they make us jump through.
Hey Will! Residency is different in each of the countries, but shouldn’t be much of an issue. As soon as the EU reopens I will be moving there for good and never returning to this disgusting country. You will need to find employment (speaking the language will certainly help), open a bank account, locate a place to live (must have a bank account), and then you can get a work/residency permit that you simply renew as long as you remain employed. Check out our YouTube channel “Common Sense Laws” (will be changing soon) for even more information directly from my buddy that lives in Germany. We make videos for this exact purpose: helping people escape this new breed of Nazism to live worthwhile, meaningful lives.
And to anyone else reading this: please DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE. Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes those mistakes affect many lives, including our own, for a long time. You are not defined by your crime unless you allow yourself to be. Don’t stop FIGHTING these crimes against your HUMAN RIGHTS. I wish you the best of luck Will. You can do this, it will just take some time right now.
I have my dual citizenship I’m born in the US , but just got my Mexican citizenship. I did my first trip to Mexico with my New Mexico 🇲🇽 passport and it worked. I flew from Seattle to Mexico and no interrogation. Then I used my enhanced drivers license to go through the border by land into San Diego. Since I didn’t have a USA passport. I was curious should I still give 21 day notice if I’m now a citizen of Mexico to ?
Has anyone been turned away from visiting the British Virgin Islands?
I personally would not travel to Africa. It is not safe and especially for someone in your situation. There are other countries you can travel to. Try Europe.
New question, my husband is an RSO and we have a trip booked to Italy. The initial trip was direct from Chicago. They have since changed our flights to connect through London. Since London band RSO’s will this pose a problem for us getting to Italy?
I would suggest not going via London. Depending on the airport, you might be able to stay air-side therefore not entering the UK. That means you don’t go through passport control. But things change so why take the chance?
Whatever you do, DO NOT fly through ANY country that does not accept us! Thailand and the Philippines tried to obstruct my flying through their country. Both times, Air Asia intervened, and I got to where I was going! Don’t put yourself through that, though!
just got refused. gatwick airport,oct.5 2020. my third degree felony from florida conviction lewd and lascivious sent. 2004. reason stated was that in the last 10 yrs i was in prison. now please note it was a 2 hour layover then on to istanbul . flying from calgary.for much needed knee aurgeey. missed thaat . lost over $5000. was told i should have flown nonstop from toronto to istanbul.16 years ago no repeat. what happened to rehabilitation?
Joseph. Your experience is disturbing. I have been off the registry in Pennsylvania for four years. I have a new passport that is not restricted. In September I will be taking a trip to Amsterdam. My return flight to the United States will have a two hour layover in Heathrow airport in London. Are you saying that even though I only have to sit in the airport before I fly back to the United States I will be prevented from doing so? What can they do besides letting me take my originally scheduled flight to fly home?
Do NOT fly through the UK!
Fly, Instead, through Iceland, who does accept us, and stay for 3 to 5 days, and continue on to Italy!
Thanks for this
Thanks.
Hi i am trying to find out if i will be able to marry my indonesian fiance in her hone city of salatiga indonesia. If anyone has any experience with that country please help. I am a sex offender with an adult victim 16 years ago… i am an RSO lv3. So far the only info i found was related to offenses against minors… Thank you to anyone who can help
Let me know how that goes. My fiancé is also Indonesian. I’m trying to get to her
Please give an update on your current status. If you got married and where. It is my understanding that if you get married in Indonesia or the Philippines you will never be able to legally get your wife here to the US. You won’t be able to sponsor her as a RSO.
Hope someone can answer this; My passport says “see page 27” but there nothing there. Do all passports say this?
Came across this and hope it will be helpful. As always double check all information;
https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Traveling_with_a_criminal_history
It is indeed shady don’t trust him unless the cop really is that clueless most are. It’s a federal thing for 21 day notice of international travel that’s required to be sent to the U.S. Marshall’s office. I’m about to depart the US for good i’m so done with this place I doubt i’ll come back. The state police agent said she needed 30 days notice, i guess the paperwork involved will take her that long but i’m not sure I have to give them 30 days the law states 21 days, it’s their law not mine. I’m just not sure if it’d be me that gets in trouble if she fails to get the paperwork in on time it’s their responsibility and screw up not mine. I gave the notice that was required of me.
Does anyone have any information about Tunisia? May try to go in November just concerned about entry Travel Matrix doesn’t have any info.
Anyone have any insights on travel to Singapore. I see that SO’s have been turned away, but I am wishing to attend an international business conference 9/1/2021, and do not want to get there with my wife only to be turned away and not able to attend.
Suggestions? Should we contact the Singapore Consulate?
RJ…..how did that go for you….if you did travel.
Thanks.
I would say, no go to Singapore! I was simply changing planes there, missed my connection. The airline kindly offered a hotel room for the extra long layover. But when i tried to pass customs, they detained me in a lockup for hours. I was actually able to go on to Cambodia. But because i came in under a cloud of deportation, they deported me all the way back to US.
I suspect the whole layover might have been simply entrapment. Who knows.
I had a vacation booked in Cancun Mexico and was turned away and sent back on a flight the same day by Mexican authorities because I am a registered sex offender me and my fiance were thoroughly humiliated
NJCA6E hi guys http://xnxx.in.net/
My situation did NOT involve a minor she was 18 and said on the stand it was consensual, she did it because she had a crush on me and texted me telling me where to meet her, the problem is i was a teacher and she was a student. That was almost 10 yrs ago, got 2 counts of 2nd degree rape (because we were together twice) and i have to register as a level 3 SO! Spent 77 days in county jail but have to register for life. The judge did sign off that i can go to schools and parks etc since my case didnt involve a minor which is good because i have children. Anyway, my wife and i would like to travel to the bahamas or really any tropical island and possibly move to one of them some day but im terrified i will get sent back upon arrival and my wife and kids will be there. This is also the reason we have not tried to go on a cruise. Any legitimate advice on travel or cruises would be greatly appreciated, thanks
I was stopped from entering the Bahamas
When were you turned away from the Bahamas? I have been many times over the years even went early last year.
Ship or plane
Has anyone been to Albania? I would like to visit since that’s were my ancestors are from.
Hey Steve. I have not been to Albania, but would definitely love to visit. It’s currently open to Americans even during the pandemic and I think you can stay up to 1 year visa-free. Since it’s visa-free you shouldn’t have any issues going there. It is, however, going to be a little bit of a pain since most airlines aren’t operating right now and most airports don’t have many flights into the region scheduled. Best of luck to you!
HGMS, Thanks for your response. I haven’t traveled outside the US before, so I’m just a little paranoid with the Offender status lurking over me. Albania still requires a passport to enter, right? Not sure how I could be sure that there wouldn’t be any issues traveling there. I’m still not sure if I should get my new passport (which I haven’t submitted for yet) with the Offender scarlet letter or at least wait until I travel for the first time.
Thanks for any advice!
I can’t believe I have to deal w this crap after doing my time and finishing parole…its unreal to think that I’m no longer allowed to travel to places because the government feels I could commit another sex crime…who gets punished for crimes they could potentially commit but havent? SORNA is punishment! Sorry for the rant I’m just so bummed out about all these restrictions on my liberty now SMH…definitely looking for a new home in a country where I can really be free. America’s becoming a police state.
Can anyone verify they have gone to Aruba recently?
I had an absolutely horrifying experience being turned away in Mexico, and would like to ensure the same doesn’t happen the next time I try to travel.
Thanks!
I’m booked for July 2021. Did you end up going?
Hey did you end up going to Aruba? I’m trying to see if they in fact allow SO
Has anyone had problems with making reservations with Airbnb’s when traveling? Didn’t know if they look at your background.
AirbnB will ban you if they become aware of a registrant’s status.
So do they want to check your passport when arriving? How else would they find out? Does angel watch notify them?
Just wondering if anyone knows any countries accepting visitors now without a 14 day quarantine? I have a marked passport. I’ve been to Armenia the last two years with no problems except being delayed at customs each time and finally asked by customs if I had two passports. I don’t know what that was about. Unfortunately Armenia is in a war now so I’m looking for somewhere else to meet my Filipino wife for a few weeks vacation.
Hey Bruce. I’m in the same boat with my Vietnamese fiancee. There are a bunch of countries open to travel visa-free for Americans right now even with the pandemic. All the countries around the Adriatic are open right now but the pain (cost & travel time) is for her getting decent flights out of SE Asia and into the region. We will both be moving PERMANENTLY to Europe as soon as it reopens to get married and have a real life free of American Nazism. Turkey is open and only requires a quick eVisa for Americans, but apparently they are not giving people a hard time about criminal histories.
I have recently gotten off the registry and don’t have a marked passport, and we will try to go there next month so I can use up my remaining vacation time for 2020. Best of luck to you both; I empathize because I know exactly what you’re going through and how hard it is. I’ve seen my love in person a total of four weeks in three years.
Hong Kong
I never attempted going to Malaysia and instead, like you, went to Hong Kong. I’m very interested in returning to Malaysia as well though.
My conviction was almost 31 years ago and I have been living abroad for 17 years now. Since IML went into effect they notified my adopted country about my past. I was fortunate enough to have a permanent residency visa and went into immigration and explained my situation.
I ended up hiring a lawyer back in the states to help get my off registration. I want to be able to fly anywhere I want without feeling the paranoia of someone standing behind me with a knife in my back.
I had an additional assault charge at the same time as my offense and another one several years later as a result of a fight with a relative. The lawyers have gotten those expunged and now I have to go in front of the Parole Board and prove that I have been rehabilitated so I can get off the damn list.
Hello – Looking for some advice about travel to Ireland, which is listed as “no go” on the chart. I am a Level 1, with an endorsement on my US passport and I would like to travel to Ireland. I am, through my wife, an Irish citizen and therefore have an Irish passport as well. Any idea of what would happen if I leave the US on my US passport, and travel through Paris using my Irish passport, then to arrive in Ireland and use the Irish passport again to clear immigration? Will Ireland still see the “flag” on my record, or does that appear only if I am using my Irish passport?
What are you worried about? You are an Irish citizen. They will let you in.
Would I be allowed to travel to Acura, Ghana? My girlfriend lives there. My first offense occurred nearly 30 years ago. I have been a RSO since 1994. My level has been dropped from a 3 to a 2 due to my age. I traveled to the Philippines in 2014 with no problems, but the rules have changed since then.
The hope of returning to the phillipines made 9 years in prison bearable. November 2013 release date.2014 phillipines enacted the law.My life awaits me there if i had to find another entry point certainly do it.This isn’t living under these tyrannical rules.We are fodder for the prison machine
Any luck ?
Do RSO’s have to renew their passport every year?
Do RSO’s have to renew their passport every year? Asking for a friend. LOL
No. Once every 10 years same as otheres.
Paul Rigney
214-624-2552
No every 10 years
Paul
214-624-2552
No every 10 years
Paul214-624-2552
Anyone know of a cruise that i could go on as an SO? My wife and i really want to but dont want to be stuck on the ship at ports, thanks
My husband and I have been on 2 cruises with Carnival with no problem. One to Mexico(2017) and one to the Caribbean(2019). Before the Caribbean cruise the Carnival security department called him and questioned him which they said was required in order to provide clearance for him to board. They called it a risk assessment. Aside from that there were no issues on board or disembarking at any ports. I’ve heard that Princess (also a Carnival company) has the same procedures however in Canada, border patrol comes aboard when the ships arrive in port to interrogate any SO before allowing them to disembark.
I am a Level 1 Offender in Georgia, no probation that was over 2020 and trying to get off registry. Never had a passport and looking to travel to Guatemala this year with my Best friend of 10 years who just got married and will have his green card this year. Was thinking of also going to Mexico but seems like hit or mis. I am also trying to go back to court to get off the registry since I am Level 1. Just trying to see if anyone has any advice or been down this situation with issues.
Did you go to Guatemala? Have any problems there? Did you go anywhere else?
Look at the actual form for international travel.
They actually have crosshairs on the form. Yet tell us w are not being targeted by the gov.
https://app.alea.gov/Documents/Forms/SOForm-InternationalTravel.pdf
It seems that the form and info are really based on how much info the local PD is willing to gather. As they suggest adding additional info (additional aliases, dual citizenships, etc. in the “other information” section.
As far as information about the destination country. It seems to only have room for 1 destination. If they were worried about you going to multiple countries I think the form would have the option to list additional countries, I mean this is an online form that they fill out and then download to email to the US Marshals office, so they could have as many fields on the form as they want. It would be very easy for them to say:
Destination Country 1:
Address Destination County 1:
Destination Country 2:
Address Destination Country 2:
etc.
They also have a short instructional document for local PD attached. For instructional information regarding the destination country and the destination address, the only instructions they gave were the following: Address – If available, within destination country. Please be as specific as possible. If you need more space, use the “Other Information” box.
Other information – any specifics about itinerary (airline & flight number, ship name, date/times of arrival and departure, multiple stops or layovers); visa information; explanations for any “other” responses in drop-down menus; anything that needed more space than the above boxes allowed
I hope this helps answer some questions for some of you. It would be great if someone could download the PDF and post it in case they block the link. Even photos would be helpful for future reference.
I have been off the Pennsylvania sex offender list for four years. Once I was removed from the list my research indicated that I did not appear on any state or national database. I obtained a renewed passport two years ago and it is not restricted. I have traveled through Schengen countries several times over the last 10 years and have not had a problem at all, other than returning through customs at my home airport in Philadelphia while I was still on the list.
In September I will be taking a river cruise from Amsterdam to Switzerland. During this time I will be traveling through Schengen countries. However, on my flight home from Switzerland I will have a connecting flight in London. I will have a two hour layover. I know the UK does not permit entry by sex offenders or felons. Do I have any reason to suspect I will run into a problem while waiting for my connecting flight?
Since you’re off the registry and your new passport doesn’t have the identifier on it, why would you think you would have problems in the UK? You don’t have to give notice to anyone of your international travels, so I would think you would be ok.
Congrats on getting off the registry!
I’m leaving my state for a lengthy road trip and will be de-registered when I go. After the road trip, I plan to go to Guatemala, but I won’t have any jurisdiction to report that to. Am I supposed to contact the U.S. Marshall directly in order to submit the 21-day notification? Additionally, I would like to visit other countries during the several months I am abroad. Will I need to contact the U.S. Marshall 21 days in advance of traveling to each additional country? If subsequent travel is via bus, will I still get turned away at the border crossing into countries like Hunduras and El Salvador, if Angel Watch has given them notice? Or, does the notification only get passed along to agents at airports?
Hello,
I have been following this comment thread for some up-to-date information about traveling but it has been challenging to keep up with all the responses. My husband (SO) and I love to travel but with the restrictions and mandates changing every so often, I would love to be able to connect to all of you and share stories expeditiously. If you are willing, I will make a WhatsApp group that we can use as a platform to share our travel stories and get immediate response. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested. Thank you!
Is Istanbul Turkey open for RSO to travel
just received my first passport. First page says “see page 51” but there is no “offender stamp” on page 51. Has anyone ran into this?
Anyone been to austrailia or have any info for a registration released offender? No Megan’s or csl still need mark on passport?
So is there still a SO identifier on passports? Where is that court proceedings going so far?
Yes. https://tinyurl.com/dbnbpd2v
There were 2 lawsuits very narrowly tailored both dismissed.
I have a question regarding IML and those that do not have a US passport. I’m from a European country (not the UK), and once supervised release is over, planning on leaving for good. I will give the 21 day notice. Will I be able to travel without a problem on my non US passport?
I have a dumb questions – when a green notice is sent out, does it go out to all countries or just tge country that you are planning to go to? The reason I ask is for example- if you want to go to Europe and your flight takes you thru London, will London boot you out and not allow you to continue onward or what? But I’d REALLY be curious to know about the green notices if anyone knows anything about them
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