People sentenced to 30 months or more for a sexual offence are subject to notification requirements indefinitely. Since 2012, those on indefinite notification have been able to ask for a review after a qualifying period. A well-prepared application, with evidence that you no longer pose a risk, gives you the best chance of success.
Before you apply
- Check your qualifying date: it is usually counted from your first notification after release, not from your conviction.
- Keep complying with every notification requirement. A breach can count heavily against you.
- Collect evidence of rehabilitation, such as completed courses, employment and probation or MAPPA reports.
- If an application is refused, you have only 21 days to appeal.
How long are you on the sex offenders register?
The "sex offenders register" is the common name for the notification requirements in Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The length depends on the sentence, and is halved for people under 18 when convicted:
- Imprisonment for 30 months or more: indefinitely
- Imprisonment for more than 6 months but less than 30 months: 10 years
- Imprisonment for 6 months or less: 7 years
- A caution: 2 years
- A conditional discharge: the length of the discharge
- Any other sentence, such as a community order or fine: 5 years
Fixed periods end automatically. Our guide to the sex offenders register explains the requirements in more detail.
Why can people on indefinite notification apply for a review?
In 2010 the Supreme Court decided, in R (F) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, that lifelong notification with no chance of review was incompatible with the right to respect for private life. Parliament responded by adding sections 91A to 91F to the Act, which created the review scheme now in force.
When can you apply?
You can apply once you reach your "qualifying date":
- Adults: 15 years from the date of your first notification. If you were in custody, that is usually the notification you gave after release.
- Under 18 at conviction: 8 years from the date of your first notification.
Some police forces write to people as their qualifying date approaches, but do not rely on it. Work out the date yourself and start preparing early.
How does the review work?
You apply in writing to the chief officer of police for the area where you live. The police decide whether you still pose a risk of sexual harm that justifies continued notification. The Act lists factors they must take into account, including:
- the seriousness of the original offence and how long ago it was committed,
- your age now and at the time of the offence, and the age of any victim,
- whether you have committed further offences or breached your notification requirements,
- any risk assessment by the agencies that manage your case, such as MAPPA,
- any representations from victims, and
- any evidence you or your solicitor put forward.
The application is your chance to show the police that you no longer pose that risk. Evidence of completed treatment programmes, stable housing and employment, support from family, a clean record since release and positive reports from probation can all help. An independent risk assessment from a psychologist may be valuable in some cases.
What if the police refuse?
If the police decide you should stay subject to notification, they must give you their reasons. You can appeal to the magistrates' court, but you must do so within 21 days of being notified. The court can hear evidence and legal argument, so a carefully prepared appeal can make a real difference. If the refusal stands, you will normally have to wait several years before you can apply again.
Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and other orders
If you are also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, ending indefinite notification does not end the order. Notification requirements generally continue while an SHPO is in force, so you may also need to apply to the court to vary or discharge the order. A solicitor can advise on the best order in which to make these applications.
Life after notification ends
Coming off the register removes the duty to notify the police of your address, travel and other details. It does not remove the conviction itself, which will still appear on DBS checks. Our guide to how sexual offence convictions affect employment, travel and professional licences explains what continues to apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I come off the sex offenders register early?
If your notification period is fixed (for example 5, 7 or 10 years), it ends automatically and you do not need to apply. If you are subject to indefinite notification, you can ask the police to review it once you reach your qualifying date: 15 years after your first notification following release for adults, or 8 years if you were under 18 when convicted. There is no way to come off before that date.
Who decides whether I come off the register?
The application goes to the chief officer of police for the area where you live. The police decide whether you still pose a risk of sexual harm that justifies continued notification, and they may consult other agencies involved in managing risk.
What happens if the police refuse my application?
You can appeal to the magistrates’ court, but the deadline is short: 21 days from the date you are notified of the decision. If the decision stands, you normally have to wait several years before you can apply again.
Does coming off the register end my Sexual Harm Prevention Order?
No. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) is separate. While an SHPO is in force, notification requirements generally continue. You may need to apply to the court to vary or discharge the order as well.
Will my conviction still show on a DBS check?
Yes. Ending notification requirements does not remove the conviction. Convictions for serious sexual offences are not filtered and will continue to appear on standard and enhanced DBS checks.
Is the process the same in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. This page covers England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own review schemes with different procedures.
How we help
We are a referral service, not a law firm, and we do not give legal advice ourselves. When you contact us, we pass your details in confidence to an independent solicitor who specialises in sexual offence defence, so they can contact you directly. We cover the whole of England and Wales, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and every other area we cover.
This page is general information about the law in England and Wales, not legal advice. Last updated 11 November 2026.