Missing Persons Alerts: Definitions by State

Knowledge can help communities respond when someone goes missing. This gallery breaks down the different missing persons alerts used across the United States, including their definitions and the states where they are used. Explore each alert to learn what it means and how these systems help bring missing people home.

An AMBER Alert is an emergency notification for a child who has been abducted and is believed to be in immediate danger of serious bodily injury or death. It is designed to quickly mobilize the public using mobile alerts, television, radio, and elect
A Kentucky Ashanti Alert is an emergency notification system used to rapidly inform the public about missing adults who are endangered or believed to have been abducted and do not qualify for an AMBER Alert. It applies to missing individuals 17 years
An Ashanti Alert is an emergency communication system used to help locate missing adults ages 18–64 who do not qualify for AMBER or Silver Alerts. The person must be in danger or their disappearance must appear involuntary, such as an evidence-based
A Wyoming Ashanti Alert is a statewide alert for endangered missing adults over 17 who fall outside the AMBER Alert program. It may be used when an adult has been abducted or is in immediate danger, including cases involving dementia, Alzheimer’s dis
A Blue Alert asks the public to help locate a suspect involved in the killing, serious injury, or assault of a law enforcement officer, or a suspect connected to a missing officer who may still pose a threat. The suspect must be at large and consider
A Brittany Alert is an emergency public notification system used to locate missing and endangered individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. It is intended for people with severe physical, mental, or developmental disabilities that
A Camo Alert was an emergency notification system designed to help locate current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces with a mental health condition that could place them at risk. The missing person had to be pre-registered, have verified mili
A CLEAR Alert (Coordinated Law Enforcement Adult Rescue) helps law enforcement locate and rescue adults ages 18–64 who have been abducted, disappeared under suspicious circumstances, or are in immediate danger of injury or death. It is intended for a
A Virginia CODI Alert (Critical Operation for a Disappeared Child Initiative) helps mobilize the public when a missing child poses a credible threat but does not qualify for a traditional AMBER Alert. It applies to youth 17 or younger and, in Virgini
Virginia’s Critically Missing Adult Alert helps locate endangered missing adults whose disappearance poses a credible threat to their health or safety. It focuses on vulnerable adults, including those with developmental or intellectual disabilities,
The Developmental Disabilities Alert helps law enforcement quickly locate missing individuals with documented intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) who face an immediate threat to their health or safety. It can apply to individuals of any
An Ebony Alert helps law enforcement quickly inform the public about the suspicious or unexplained disappearance of a Black person ages 12–25. The system has a particular focus on missing Black youth and young adults, especially young Black women and
An Emergency Missing Child Alert is used when a child under 18 is missing but has not been confirmed abducted, and there is reason to believe the child is in danger of serious bodily injury or death. It can apply when a child wanders away, becomes lo
An Endangered Child Alert is used for missing children under 18 who are endangered but whose cases do not meet the stricter criteria for an AMBER Alert. It can include children with serious medical, physical, mental, or developmental vulnerabilities,
An Endangered Missing Adult Alert helps locate a missing adult who is 65 or older or has a mental or developmental impairment and faces a serious threat to their safety. It can include seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s and adults with conditions t
An Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA) is a California emergency notification system used to help recover at-risk missing people of any age who do not meet the requirements for other alerts, such as AMBER or Silver Alerts. It can include children missi
A Michigan Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA) is a localized notification system used to quickly share information about a missing person believed to be in danger. It has no age restriction and can help locate vulnerable children, adults with disabili
A Nebraska Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA) helps locate vulnerable missing people who do not qualify for a standard AMBER Alert. It focuses on vulnerability rather than age and can include seniors, adults or children with disabilities, and children
The South Dakota Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA) helps quickly alert the public when a missing person is in immediate danger but does not meet AMBER Alert requirements. It can cover children, vulnerable adults, seniors, and other at-risk individual
The Utah Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA) helps rapidly share information about missing and endangered people who do not qualify for a standard AMBER Alert. It can be used for any age, including vulnerable children and adults facing health, disabili
In Colorado, the Endangered Missing Alert, also known as a Media Alert, helps notify the public about missing people who face evident danger but do not qualify for other specialized alerts. It can protect children and vulnerable adults whose circumst
The Endangered Missing Alert (also called a Media Alert) notifies the media and public about a missing person who is endangered or at risk but does not qualify for other alert programs. It can apply to any age, including children without proof of for
The Endangered/Missing Child Alert is used when a child is missing and believed to be in danger but does not meet the strict requirements for an AMBER Alert. It can involve endangered runaways, parental or custodial abductions, children with special
An Ohio Endangered Missing Child Alert helps the public locate a missing child who is believed to face imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death but does not meet the strict requirements for an AMBER Alert. It applies to children under 18, incl
An Illinois Endangered Missing Person Advisory is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement, Illinois State Police, and broadcasters to quickly share information about a high-risk missing person who does not qualify for an AMBER Alert. It can h
The Washington Endangered Missing Person Advisory (EMPA) helps quickly distribute information about endangered missing individuals who do not meet the criteria for an AMBER Alert. It can apply to vulnerable people of any age, including those with dis
An Endangered Missing Person Alert is issued statewide when a missing person may be at risk of physical injury or death. It can apply to people of any age, including cognitively impaired adults, medically dependent individuals, abducted adults, and m
An Endangered Missing Person Alert is issued statewide when a missing person may be at risk of physical injury or death. It can apply to individuals of any age, including youth under 21, vulnerable adults with cognitive or medical needs, and suspecte
In Oregon, an Endangered Missing Person Alert is issued statewide when law enforcement believes a missing person may be at risk of physical injury or death. It helps locate vulnerable people who may not qualify for other alert systems, including adul
In Texas, the Endangered Missing Persons Alert is a statewide emergency alert designed to help locate missing people of any age with a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability whose disappearance poses an immediate threat to their safety. U
In Iowa, the Endangered Person Advisory is a public notification system that rapidly shares information about a missing and endangered individual who does not qualify for a standard AMBER Alert. It can help locate vulnerable adults, people with cogni
In Kansas, the Endangered Person Advisory is a specialized public notification system that helps locate high-risk missing individuals who are in immediate danger but do not meet AMBER Alert criteria. It can protect vulnerable people of all ages, incl
In Missouri, the Endangered Person Advisory is a partnership between law enforcement and local broadcasters that rapidly shares information about a missing, at-risk person who does not meet AMBER Alert criteria. It can help protect vulnerable childre
In New Mexico, the Endangered Person Advisory is a rapid-response system used to notify the public about a missing child or adult who is considered at risk and in imminent danger, but does not meet the strict criteria for an Amber Alert. It can help
In Wyoming, the Endangered Person Advisory is an emergency communication system used to rapidly share information about missing individuals who do not meet AMBER Alert criteria but are believed to be in imminent danger. It can help locate at-risk adu
In Missouri, the Endangered Silver Advisory helps locate missing adults 60 or older who are believed to have dementia or another permanent cognitive impairment and may be in imminent danger. It is a specialized system separate from Missouri’s broader
In Tennessee, the Endangered Young Adult Alert helps locate missing adults ages 18–24 when there is an immediate concern for their safety or well-being. It can be used for young adults with medical conditions, cognitive impairments, or other circumst
In Florida, an Enhanced Missing Child Alert is issued when a child under 18 is missing and believed to face imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury. The alert can be used even when there is no confirmed evidence of an abduction, allowing em
In California, a Feather Alert is an emergency public notification designed to help locate an Indigenous person who has been abducted or is believed to face imminent risk of serious bodily injury or death. It applies to Indigenous women and Indigenou
In North Dakota, a Feather Alert is an urgent public notification designed to help locate an Indigenous adult who has been abducted or is believed to be in grave danger of serious bodily harm or death. The alert applies to Indigenous individuals 18 a
In Delaware, a Gold Alert helps rapidly locate missing people whose disappearance presents a credible threat to their own safety or the safety of the public. It can protect seniors, people with disabilities, suicidal individuals, and children who do
In Kentucky, a Golden Alert helps locate a missing person whose disappearance creates a danger because of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, developmental disability, traumatic brain injury, or another qualifying impairment. It can apply to vulnerable in
In Delaware, a Green Alert helps locate missing active-duty military members, veterans, National Guard members, and military reservists who have a physical or mental health condition related to their service. The alert is used when that condition cre
In Indiana, the Green Alert helps rapidly locate missing veterans and military service members who are believed to be at risk of harm or self-harm. It covers veterans, active-duty service members, Indiana National Guard members, and reservists whose
In Kentucky, the Green Alert helps rapidly share information about missing military veterans and active-duty service members who are at risk because of service-related physical or mental health conditions. It includes active-duty members, veterans, N
In West Virginia, the Green Alert is a public emergency system designed to help locate at-risk military veterans and active-duty service members who are missing. It covers active-duty members, Reserves, National Guard members, and qualifying veterans
In Wisconsin, the Green Alert helps locate a missing, at-risk military veteran or service member whose disappearance is connected to a service-related physical or mental health condition. It covers veterans, active-duty members, National Guard member
In Kentucky, an IAN Alert is a statewide emergency notification system designed to quickly help locate a missing child with autism or another intellectual, developmental, or mental disability who is in physical danger. It specifically protects childr
In Oklahoma, the Kasey Alert is a statewide emergency notification system designed to help locate critically missing and endangered adults ages 18–59. It can be used when an adult is believed to have been abducted, is in serious danger, is a danger t
In Louisiana, the Level II Endangered/Missing Child Advisory is an urgent notification used when a missing child may be endangered but does not meet the strict criteria for an AMBER Alert. It can help locate children age 17 or younger, including youn
In Georgia, Levi’s Call is the state’s official AMBER Alert program, used when a child age 17 or younger has been abducted and is believed to face imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. Law enforcement must have a reasonable belief that a
In Hawaii, a MAILE AMBER Alert is a statewide public notification system used when a child has been abducted and is believed to be in life-threatening danger. It protects children age 17 or younger and requires evidence of an abduction, immediate dan
In Georgia, Mattie’s Call helps locate missing elderly and disabled adults with conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or other severe cognitive impairments who are believed to be in im
In West Virginia, the Missing and Endangered Child Alert helps rapidly notify the public about a child whose whereabouts are unknown and who is believed to face an elevated risk of danger or harm. It applies to children under 18, or up to 21 when und
In Alabama, the Missing and Endangered Person Alert (MEPA) helps locate vulnerable missing or abducted people who face an immediate threat of serious bodily injury or death. It can protect individuals with mental or physical disabilities, dementia, A
A Missing Child or Missing Person BOLO Flyer is a public notification tool for people who do not meet the stricter criteria for an AMBER Alert or Missing/Endangered Alert. It can be used for unaccounted-for individuals, including runaway minors and m
In Florida, a Missing Child Alert helps locate a child under 18 who is believed to face life-threatening danger but there is no confirmed evidence of an abduction. Law enforcement must have a well-founded belief that the child is in danger of death o
In New York, the Missing Child Alert helps locate children and young adults under 21 who are missing and believed to be in danger because of special circumstances, such as a severe medical condition, mental impairment, or cognitive disability. It is
In Wisconsin, the Missing Child Alert helps locate vulnerable children under 18 who are missing but do not meet the strict criteria for an AMBER Alert. It can protect children who have wandered away, run away, or are missing without definitive proof
In New York, the Missing College Student Alert helps locate college students of any age who disappear under dangerous circumstances and face a credible risk of serious bodily harm or death. The student must be actively enrolled at a higher education
In Arkansas, the Missing Endangered Adult Advisory helps locate vulnerable adults age 18 or older who are missing and do not qualify for an AMBER Alert or Silver Alert. It is designed for adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, cognitive,
In North Carolina, the Missing Endangered Alert is a statewide system designed to quickly share information about vulnerable missing people who may need protection from abuse, physical harm, neglect, or exploitation. It applies to children and adults
In Oklahoma, the Missing Endangered Juvenile Alert helps locate children age 17 or younger who are missing and believed to be endangered but do not meet the strict requirements for an AMBER Alert. It can protect vulnerable youth, including runaways,
In Montana, the Missing and Endangered Person Advisory (MEPA) is a statewide alert program for missing people who do not meet AMBER Alert criteria but are believed to be endangered. It applies to people of all ages, including vulnerable adults, senio
In Pennsylvania, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory (MEPA) is a statewide alert system that quickly shares information about missing individuals who face a special risk of injury or death but do not qualify for another specific alert. It can prot
In Wisconsin, the Missing Endangered Person Advisory is a public notification system for at-risk missing individuals who do not qualify for other specialized alerts and may face imminent danger of injury or death. It can help locate people with medic
In North Dakota, the Missing Endangered Person (MEP) Alert is an urgent public bulletin used to help locate an adult who has been abducted or is believed to face imminent danger of serious injury or death. It applies to adults age 18 and older, helpi
In Colorado, the Missing Indigenous Person Alert (MIPA) is a statewide system designed to quickly share information when an Indigenous person goes missing under circumstances that threaten their safety. It applies to Indigenous adults and children, i
In Washington, the Missing Indigenous Person Alert (MIPA) is an emergency notification system for missing Indigenous people of any age or gender. It is used when a person disappears under unexplained, involuntary, or suspicious circumstances or faces
In Minnesota, the Missing Person Alert helps law enforcement share information about missing people who are not believed to be endangered. It can assist with cases involving children, vulnerable or impaired adults, and seniors with conditions such as
In Virginia, the Missing Person with Autism Alert is a statewide program for individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder whose disappearance creates an immediate threat to their health and safety. It applies to people of any ag
In Colorado, the Missing Senior Citizen Alert helps quickly locate people age 60 and older who go missing and are believed to be in danger. It is designed for seniors with impaired mental conditions, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or another
In New Hampshire, the Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert helps locate adults with cognitive, developmental, physical, mental, or other vulnerabilities who go missing and are believed to be endangered. It can protect people with conditions such as Alzheim
In New York, the Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert is a statewide notification system designed to help locate adults who cannot safely help themselves after going missing. It applies to adults age 18 and older with documented conditions such as dementia
In New Jersey, the Missing Vulnerable Person Alert helps quickly locate people of any age with mental, intellectual, or developmental disabilities who go missing under dangerous circumstances. It can protect children and adults with conditions such a
In Vermont, the Missing Vulnerable Person Alert helps locate individuals who cannot protect themselves from significant harm and may be in danger of death or serious bodily injury. It can apply to adults with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, d
In North Carolina, the Missing Weather Alert helps quickly locate missing people who may face serious danger from extreme weather or major weather events. It is designed for missing individuals or children who are on foot without vehicular shelter an
In Arkansas, the Missing/Endangered Child Alert helps quickly spread information about children who are missing under high-risk circumstances but do not meet the strict criteria for an AMBER Alert. It can protect children with medical or cognitive ne
In Michigan, the Mozelle Senior or Vulnerable Adult Medical Alert is a statewide system designed to help locate missing seniors and vulnerable adults with severe cognitive or physical impairments. It can protect people with Alzheimer’s disease or dem
In Connecticut, the Purple Alert helps quickly locate missing adults with serious intellectual, developmental, cognitive, physical, or behavioral health conditions who face immediate danger. It generally protects adults ages 18 to 65 with conditions
In Florida, the Purple Alert helps locate missing adults age 18 or older with intellectual, developmental, brain, physical, mental, or emotional disabilities who face immediate danger. It is designed for vulnerable adults who do not qualify for a Sil
In Kansas, the Purple Alert helps locate missing adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who may be in serious danger. It can protect people with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, and
In Maryland, the Purple Alert helps locate endangered missing adults ages 18 to 60 with specific cognitive, developmental, physical, or hearing disabilities. It can protect people with conditions such as Down syndrome, autism, brain injuries, cogniti
In Mississippi, the Purple Alert helps rapidly locate missing children or adults with mental, cognitive, intellectual, developmental, or certain physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. It is designed for individuals whose disabilities are not re
In Missouri, the Purple Alert is a new statewide emergency notification system for people of any age with developmental, intellectual, cognitive, or mental disabilities, or brain injuries, who are in immediate danger. It is designed to help people wh
In Rhode Island, the PURPLE Alert is a statewide emergency notification system for vulnerable adults with serious physical, behavioral health, developmental, or neurological disabilities who go missing. It applies to Rhode Island residents age 18 or
In West Virginia, the Purple Alert helps rapidly locate missing individuals with cognitive impairments who are believed to be in imminent danger. It can apply to people of any age with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, intellectual or
In Arizona, the SAFE (Seek And Find Emergency) Alert helps locate highly vulnerable missing people, including adults age 65 and older and individuals of any age with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or qualifying developmental or cognitive disabilities
In Virginia, the Senior Alert helps locate missing adults over age 60 with documented cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia who may be unable to care for themselves safely. The program has a strict “No Waiting” policy, requiri
In Alaska, the Silver Alert helps locate missing vulnerable adults age 18 and older who are believed to be in serious danger because of a physical or mental impairment or medical condition. It can protect people with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, de
In Arkansas, the Silver Alert helps locate missing adults with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other severe cognitive conditions that may prevent them from safely managing their own affairs. The program focuses on cognitive vulnerability rather tha
In California, the Silver Alert helps locate missing people who are age 65 or older, developmentally disabled, or cognitively impaired. Unlike many Silver Alert systems, California’s program can also apply to younger adults or minors with qualifying
In Connecticut, the Silver Alert helps locate missing seniors, vulnerable adults, and certain missing children who may be endangered because of age, mental impairment, or medical conditions. It covers adults 65 and older, adults ages 18–65 with quali
In Florida, the Silver Alert helps locate missing adults with irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties, most commonly Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It primarily protects adults age 60 and older, but can also apply to adults ages 18–59
In Hawaii, the Silver Alert is a statewide system designed to help locate missing vulnerable individuals, including adults age 65 and older, people with severe cognitive impairments, and developmentally disabled adults. The alert can protect people w
In Indiana, the Silver Alert helps locate missing endangered people who cannot safely return home on their own and is not limited to senior citizens. It can apply to endangered adults, children with special needs, and other high-risk missing people,
In Kansas, the Silver Alert is a statewide system that quickly shares public notices when a vulnerable adult goes missing and may be unable to return to safety because of age or health conditions. It primarily protects adults age 65 and older and adu
In Louisiana, the Silver Alert helps locate missing adults who are seniors or have cognitive or developmental disabilities and may face an immediate safety risk. It covers adults age 60 and older, as well as adults age 18 or older with conditions suc
In Maine, the Silver Alert helps locate missing endangered people, including adults age 60 and older and individuals with qualifying cognitive, developmental, intellectual, physical, or mental health conditions. Unlike systems limited to seniors, Mai
In Maryland, the Silver Alert helps locate missing adults age 60 and older with documented cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, who may be in immediate danger. The program uses a two-tier system based on whether the person
In Massachusetts, the Silver Alert helps locate missing adults with serious memory impairments, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease who may be at risk of wandering or becoming lost. The program focuses on cognitive impairment rather than relying strictl
In Mississippi, the Silver Alert is a statewide rapid-response system designed to help locate vulnerable adults with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or severe brain trauma. Unlike the common assumption that Silver Alerts
Nevada’s Silver Alert is a rapid-response public notification system designed to help law enforcement locate missing and endangered adults age 60 and older with severe cognitive or medical impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The sys
In New Jersey, the Silver Alert helps locate missing people with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other cognitive impairments when their disappearance poses a credible threat to their health or safety. Unlike many Silver Alert programs, New Jersey’s
New Mexico’s Silver Alert is a public advisory designed to help quickly and safely locate vulnerable missing individuals who may face an immediate threat to their health or safety. It historically focused on people age 50 and older, but can apply to
North Carolina’s Silver Alert is an emergency public notification system used to rapidly share information about missing, endangered adults with cognitive impairments. It primarily helps adults 65 and older with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease
North Dakota’s Silver Alert is a specialized public notification system used to help locate missing vulnerable individuals with cognitive, physical, or developmental impairments. It can apply to disabled adults, vulnerable elderly adults, and minors
Oklahoma’s Silver Alert is a specialized public notification system designed to help locate missing seniors age 60 and older with cognitive impairments, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It addresses “wandering,” when someone may lose track
In Oregon, the Silver Alert helps law enforcement locate missing older adults and people with cognitive, developmental, physical, or serious medical conditions who may be in immediate danger. It focuses on vulnerable individuals, including seniors, p
Rhode Island’s Silver Alert is an emergency public notification system designed to locate missing adults age 60 and older or individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease who face a credible threat to their safety. The system uses television, radi
In Tennessee, the Silver Alert helps locate missing people who are endangered because of age, dementia, intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, or certain mental health conditions. It can protect adults age 60 and older, pe
Texas’ Silver Alert is a statewide emergency broadcast system designed to help locate missing older adults with cognitive impairments and bring them home safely. It protects people 65 and older, as well as individuals with Alzheimer’s disease who mee
Utah’s Silver Alert is a quick-response public notification system designed to help locate missing and endangered adults with conditions that may affect memory, awareness, or decision-making. It applies to adults 60 and older, as well as people of an
Washington, D.C.’s Silver Alert is a public safety broadcast system designed to quickly locate missing, vulnerable individuals at high risk of bodily harm or death. It protects seniors 65 and older with cognitive disorders, as well as adults 18 and o
Washington’s Silver Alert is a designation within the Endangered Missing Person Advisory system used to help locate missing endangered people age 60 and older. It focuses on older adults who may be unable to return to safety on their own because of c
West Virginia’s Silver Alert is a voluntary public notification system designed to help locate missing seniors age 65 and older who are at risk of serious harm. It uses radio, television, and roadside message signs to mobilize the public and assist i
Wisconsin’s Silver Alert is a statewide emergency notification system designed to quickly locate missing adults age 60 and older with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other permanent cognitive impairments. The program was inspired by Leo and Claire
Florida’s Spectrum Alert is a statewide emergency notification system designed to quickly locate and safely recover missing children under 18 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It addresses the serious safety risk of children wandering or “eloping”
Arizona’s Turquoise Alert is a quick-response notification system for missing endangered people under 65 who disappear under suspicious or unexplained circumstances and do not qualify for an AMBER Alert. It protects people ages 18–65 and certain juve
New Mexico’s Turquoise Alert is a statewide emergency notification system designed to rapidly spread information when an Indigenous person goes missing. It protects Native American and Indigenous individuals of any age who are enrolled in or eligible