Every state and U.S. territory requires those convicted of sex offenses to be added to a registry to be monitored and tracked after their release back into the community. Information about the offender is collected and shared with local and federal authorities, as well as the general public. Requirements and restrictions are often placed on registered sex offenders. That registration process is unique in each state and U.S. territory.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) was passed in 2006 as part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act to provide federal standards for jurisdictions to follow. SORNA calls for states and U.S. territories to meet minimum requirements for sex offender registration and notification.
While SORNA’s guidelines streamlined registration and notification requirements across the country, these requirements are far from uniform. Each jurisdiction determines the details of their own registration process. This leaves a patchwork of rules for sex offenders that vary widely depending on where a registrant lives or works.
Probation Information Network developed a list of questions regarding the sex offender registration requirements across the country. These are questions that might concern the public, victims and their advocates, or those who are facing registration or are currently registered and their loved ones. We then searched the statutes or code of each jurisdiction for the laws surrounding sex offender registration and notification. Where necessary, we consulted with the law enforcement agency in charge of the jurisdiction’s registry to provide clear and concise answers to the following questions:
How long must a sex offender remain on the registry? The length of time a sex offender must comply with registration requirements varies widely depending on the jurisdiction where the registrant lives, and the level of the offense committed. All but 2 jurisdictions offer a path for eventual removal from the registry for at least some of their registrants.
Every jurisdiction has passive community notification in the form of a public sex offender registry website. Concerned citizens are free to search the website and can sign up for email notifications if a sex offender moves into their neighborhood. Some jurisdictions go even further and require active notification, where either law enforcement or the offender themselves is required to directly notify the immediate community that a sex offender is in the area. This can take many forms, including electronic, mail, or in-person notification, publication in local newspapers, and community meetings.
Are there any restrictions on where a registered sex offender can live? Some jurisdictions restrict registrants from living within a measured distance of certain places. This restriction could be for all registrants, or only for higher-level offenders or those under supervision. Some jurisdictions do not have a state-wide restriction but do allow local jurisdictions to enact their own.
Registered sex offenders are usually restricted from certain types of employment, and from working at establishments that specifically cater to minors. Some jurisdictions go even further and restrict registrants from working within a measured distance of certain places.
Returning citizens of every type need to find employment upon reentry, and sex offenders are no exception. Some jurisdictions include registrants’ employment information on the public registry website. This could be the employer’s address or in some cases the name of the employer.
Some jurisdictions require registered sex offenders to report any identifiers they use online, such as email addresses and social media user names. In some jurisdictions that information is included on the public registry website, separate from the registrant’s profile, in a feature that allows the public to search by specific identifiers.
Some jurisdictions require a state-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, to be labeled to identify the holder as a registered sex offender. This label could be the words “Sex Offender” printed on the ID in a prominent place or a more subtle designation known to law enforcement.
Is there a fee to register as a sex offender? Some jurisdictions pass on some of their administrative costs to the registrants. This could be a one-time fee paid only upon initial registration, or an ongoing fee paid annually or quarterly. Some jurisdictions charge a fee every time a registrant updates their information.
Does a sex offender have to register if they work or go to school in a different state? It depends on the state, and how long the registrant will be there. Some jurisdictions require registrants to notify authorities immediately, while others allow limited stays without requiring registration. Registrants currently under supervision usually need permission from their Parole or Probation Officer before traveling and should always consult their supervising officer.
Can a registered sex offender go on vacation? Does a sex offender have to register if they visit a different state? It depends on the state, and how long the registrant will be there. Some jurisdictions require registrants to notify authorities immediately, while others allow limited stays without requiring registration. Registrants currently under supervision usually need permission from their Parole or Probation Officer before traveling and should always consult their supervising officer.
The answers provided are taken directly from the laws found on the state or territory’s legislative website or, where necessary, from the website of the law enforcement agency in charge of the jurisdiction’s registry. In some cases, we contacted state or territory officials for clarification and have directly quoted those conversations.
While we stand by our research, it is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered legal advice and, while we strive to provide accurate and up to date information, it is not guaranteed to be complete or correct. We provide links to each jurisdiction’s legislative and law enforcement websites and maintain a directory of lawyers who specialize in sex offender registration laws. For those currently under supervision, consult with your Parole or Probation Officer for guidance.
Can a registered sex offender go on vacation? Does a sex offender have to register if they visit a different state? It depends on the state, and how long the registrant will be there. Some jurisdictions require registrants to notify authorities immediately, while others allow limited stays without requiring registration. Registrants currently under supervision usually need permission from their Parole or Probation Officer before traveling and should always consult their supervising officer.
28 states and territories require registration for visits of less than 7 days.
This comparison chart is intended to be a quick reference guide to compare the sex offender registry requirements across jurisdictions. It does not provide enough details for a full and accurate picture and should not be used by itself, but rather as a tool alongside the full-text versions.
Within 3 business days
AL Code § 15-20A-14
(a) Any adult sex offender who declares he or she is entering the state to establish a residence or who enters this state to establish a residence shall immediately appear in person and register all required registration information with local law enforcement in the county where the adult sex offender intends to establish or establishes a residence.
AL Code § 15-20A-4
For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(9) IMMEDIATELY. Within three business days.
(20) RESIDE. To be habitually or systematically present at a place. Whether a person is residing at a place shall be determined by the totality of the circumstances, including the amount of time the person spends at the place and the nature of the person’s conduct at the place. The term reside includes, but is not limited to, spending more than four hours a day at the place on three or more consecutive days; spending more than four hours a day at the place on 10 or more aggregate days during a calendar month; or spending any amount of time at the place coupled with statements or actions that indicate an intent to live at the place or to remain at the place for the periods specified in this sentence. A person does not have to conduct an overnight visit to reside at a place.
(21) RESIDENCE. A fixed residence as defined by this section or other place where the person resides, regardless of whether the person declares or characterizes such place as a residence.
Registered sex offenders from other jurisdictions who travel to Alaska are required to notify the Alaska Sex Offender Registry office of their presence in the state. For visits of less than 30 days, [a] temporary presence report completes notification.
This report must be submitted before the visit or within three days of arriving in Alaska.
– Alaska Department of Public Safety
A. A person who has been convicted of or adjudicated guilty except insane for a violation or attempted violation of any of the following offenses or who has been convicted of or adjudicated guilty except insane or not guilty by reason of insanity for an offense committed in another jurisdiction that if committed in this state would be a violation or attempted violation of any of the following offenses or an offense that was in effect before September 1, 1978 and that, if committed on or after September 1, 1978, has the same elements of an offense listed in this section or who is required to register by the convicting or adjudicating jurisdiction, within ten days after the conviction or adjudication or within ten days after entering and remaining in any county of this state, shall register with the sheriff of that county.
AR Code § 12-12-903
(10)(A) “Residency” means the place where a person lives notwithstanding that there may be an intent to move or return at some future date to another place.
(10)(B) “Residency” also includes:
(i) A place of employment;
(ii) A place of training;
(iii) A place of education; or
(iv) A temporary residence or domicile in which a person resides for an aggregate of five (5) or more consecutive days during a calendar year;
Currently, California Penal Code section 290 requires a registrant who is residing in one location for more than five (5) working days to register with the law enforcement agency (Police or Sheriff Department) having jurisdiction over his/her location.
Unfortunately, under existing law it has not been determined whether a person on vacation or visiting is actually “residing” in a temporary location while in our state. As a result, it is at the discretion of law enforcement to decide when a person vacationing or visiting on a temporary basis must register in their jurisdiction. Therefore, we suggest you contact the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the California location you intend to visit. The local law enforcement agency can address any questions you may have concerning your visit to their area.
– Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice
CO Rev Stat § 16-22-102
(8) “Temporary resident” means a person who is a resident of another state but in Colorado temporarily because the person is:
(c) Present in Colorado for more than fourteen consecutive business days or for an aggregate period of more than thirty days in a calendar year for any purpose, including but not limited to vacation, travel, or retirement.
CO Rev Stat § 16-22-108
(5) During the initial registration process for a temporary resident, the local law enforcement agency with which the temporary resident is registering shall provide the temporary resident with the registration information specified in section 16-22-105. A temporary resident who is required to register pursuant to the provisions of section 16-22-103 shall, within five business days after arrival in Colorado, register with the local law enforcement agency of each jurisdiction in which the temporary resident resides.
CT Gen Stat § 54-253
(d) Any person not a resident of this state who is registered as a sexual offender under the laws of any other state and who travels in this state on a recurring basis for periods of less than five days shall notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such person’s temporary residence in this state and of a telephone number at which such person may be contacted.
For visits less than 5 days: Information will be registered for internal law enforcement use only and will not be included on the online registry. For visits 5 days or longer: Full, in-person registration is required. Information will be temporarily added to the online registry and removed when the visiting registrant leaves the state.
– Connecticut State Police Sex Offender Registry
11 DE Code § 4120
(a) Unless otherwise indicated, the definitions set forth in § 4121(a) of this title shall apply to this section. In addition, when used in this section, the phrase “custodial institution” includes any Level IV or V facility operated by or for the Department of Correction, the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services or the Delaware Psychiatric Center, or any like institution, and the phrase “temporary resident” shall include any person who is for more than 7 days or for more than an aggregate of 30 days in any 12-month period, employed or works in Delaware, or who is a full- or part-time student in Delaware. A student is any person who attends or enrolls in any public or private educational facility, including, but not limited to, colleges or universities.
(e) (2) Any person convicted of any offense specified in the laws of another state, the United States or any territory of the United States, or any foreign government, which is the same as, or equivalent to, any of the offenses set forth in § 4121(a)(4) of this title; or any person convicted of any federal or military offense enumerated in 42 U.S.C. § 16911(5)(A)(iii) and (iv), who is not a permanent or temporary resident of the State on the date of that person’s conviction, and who thereafter becomes a permanent or temporary resident of the State shall register as a sex offender within 3 business days of establishing permanent or temporary residency within the State. Any such person shall register at a designated Delaware State Police facility, and the Delaware State Police shall be deemed to be the registering agency.
(2)(n) “Temporary residence” means a place where the person abides, lodges, or resides, including, but not limited to, vacation, business, or personal travel destinations in or out of this state, for a period of 3 or more days in the aggregate during any calendar year and which is not the person’s permanent address or, for a person whose permanent residence is not in this state, a place where the person is employed, practices a vocation, or is enrolled as a student for any period of time in this state.
(e) Registration pursuant to this Code section shall be required by any individual who:
(7) Is a nonresident sexual offender who enters this state for the purpose of employment or any other reason for a period exceeding 14 consecutive days or for an aggregate period of time exceeding 30 days during any calendar year regardless of whether such sexual offender is required to register under federal law, military law, tribal law, or the laws of another state or territory;
HI Rev State § 846E-2
(g) In addition to the requirement under subsection (a) to register with the attorney general and comply with the provisions of this chapter until a court relieves the covered offender of the registration requirements of this chapter, each covered offender shall also register in person with the chief of police where the covered offender resides or is present. Registration under this subsection is for the purpose of providing the covered offender’s photograph, fingerprints, and registration information. Registration under this subsection is required whenever the covered offender, whether or not a resident of this State, remains in this State for more than ten days or for an aggregate period exceeding thirty days in one calendar year. Covered offenders required to register in person with the chief of police under this subsection shall register no later than three working days after the earliest of:
(1) Arrival in this State;
ID Code § 18-8307
(4) (a) Within two (2) working days of coming into any county to establish residence, an offender shall register with the sheriff of the county. The offender thereafter shall register annually, unless the offender is designated as a violent sexual predator, in which case the offender shall register with the sheriff every three (3) months as provided in this section. If the offender intends to reside in another jurisdiction, the offender shall register in the other jurisdiction within two (2) days of moving to that jurisdiction and will not be removed from the sexual offender registry in Idaho until registration in another jurisdiction is complete.
A sex offender visiting the State of Illinois for more than 3 days in a calendar year will be required to register with the local law enforcement jurisdiction where the sex offender is staying. This means cumulative days; it does not necessarily have to be 3 consecutive days.
– Illinois State Police
(a) For purposes of this Article, the place of residence or temporary domicile is defined as any and all places where the sex offender resides for an aggregate period of time of 3 or more days during any calendar year. Any person required to register under this Article who lacks a fixed address or temporary domicile must notify, in person, the agency of jurisdiction of his or her last known address within 3 days after ceasing to have a fixed residence.
(b) Any sex offender, as defined in Section 2 of this Act, or sexual predator, regardless of any initial, prior, or other registration, shall, within 3 days of beginning school, or establishing a residence, place of employment, or temporary domicile in any county, register in person as set forth in subsection (a) or (a-5).
(a) Subject to section 19 of this chapter, the following persons must register under this chapter:
(1) A sex or violent offender who resides in Indiana. A sex or violent offender resides in Indiana if either of the following applies:
(A) The sex or violent offender spends or intends to spend at least seven (7) days (including part of a day) in Indiana during a one hundred eighty (180) day period.
(B) The sex or violent offender owns real property in Indiana and returns to Indiana at any time.
Offenders who reside in Iowa, whether moving in or visiting, have (5) days to register with the Sheriff’s Office at the county where they have established residence.
– Iowa Department of Public Safety
IA Code § 692A.104
1. A sex offender shall appear in person to register with the sheriff of each county where the offender has a residence, maintains employment, or is in attendance as a student, within five business days of being required to register under section 692A.103 by providing all relevant information to the sheriff. A sheriff shall accept the registration of any person who is required to register in the county pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Any offender required to register as provided in the Kansas offender registration act shall:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, register in person with the registering law enforcement agency within three business days of coming into any county or location of jurisdiction in which the offender resides or intends to reside, maintains employment or intends to maintain employment, or attends school or intends to attend school.
(7) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, if a person is required to register under federal law or the laws of another state or territory, or if the person has been convicted of an offense in a court of the United States, in a court martial of the United States Armed Forces, or under the laws of another state or territory that would require registration if committed in this Commonwealth, that person upon changing residence from the other state or territory of the United States to the Commonwealth or upon entering the Commonwealth for employment, to carry on a vocation, or as a student shall comply with the registration requirement of this section, including the requirements of subsection (4) of this section, and shall register within five (5) working days with the appropriate local probation and parole office in the county of residence, employment, vocation, or schooling. A person required to register under federal law or the laws of another state or territory shall be presumed to know of the duty to register in the Commonwealth. As used in this subsection, “employment” or “carry on a vocation” includes employment that is full-time or part-time for a period exceeding fourteen (14) days or for an aggregate period of time exceeding thirty (30) days during any calendar year, whether financially compensated, volunteered, or for the purpose of government or educational benefit. As used in this subsection, “student” means a person who is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis, in any public or private educational institution, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution, or institution of higher education.
LA Rev Stat § 15:542.1.3
A. Any person who is convicted or adjudicated of an offense under the laws of another state, or military, territorial, foreign, tribal, or federal law for which R.S. 15:542 requires registration shall be subject to and shall comply with all of the registration requirements of this Chapter within three business days of establishing a residence in Louisiana and shall comply with all notification requirements required in R.S. 15:542.1 within twenty-one days of establishing a residence in Louisiana. Such person shall also notify the bureau within three business days of establishing residence in Louisiana and shall provide the bureau, within thirty days of establishing residence in Louisiana, certified copies of court records pertaining to the offense or offenses which require registration as a sex offender, including but not limited to the bill of information, indictment, court minutes, and final disposition.
LA Rev Stat § 15:541
(22) “Residence” means a dwelling where an offender regularly resides, regardless of the number of days or nights spent there. For those offenders who lack a fixed abode or dwelling, “residence” shall include the area or place where the offender habitually lives, including but not limited to a rural area with no address or a shelter.
Pre-2013 applies to a person sentenced prior to January 1, 2013.
Post-2013 applies to a person who commits criminal conduct and is sentenced on or after January 1, 2013.
In Maine, registrants must register with two separate entities: Local Law Enforcement and the Registry.
A registrant must notify local law enforcement within 24 hours of entering the state.
A registrant must verbally notify the registry within 5 days for Pre-2013 or 3 days for Post-2013, but do not have to fully register unless in the state for 14 consecutive days or more than 30 days in a calendar year.
– Department of Public Safety, Maine State Police
Pre-2013 34-A ME Rev Stat § 11223
A person sentenced at any time for a military, tribal or federal offense requiring registration pursuant to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, also known as the Jacob Wetterling Act, Section 170101 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Public Law 103-322, as amended; or the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, Public Law 109-248; or in a jurisdiction other than this State who is required under that jurisdiction to register pursuant to that jurisdiction’s sex offender registration statute or would have been required to register if the person had remained in the jurisdiction or, if not so required, who has been sentenced on or after January 1, 1982 for an offense that includes the essential elements of a sex offense or a sexually violent offense shall register as a 10-year registrant or lifetime registrant, whichever is applicable, within 5 days and shall notify the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction within 24 hours of establishing domicile or residence in this State. The person shall contact the bureau, which shall provide the person with the registration form and direct the person to take the form and a photograph of the person to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction. The law enforcement agency shall supervise the completion of the form, take the person’s fingerprints and immediately forward the form, photograph and fingerprints to the bureau.
34-A ME Rev Stat § 11203
4-D. Residence. “Residence” means that place or those places, other than a domicile, in which a person may spend time living, residing or dwelling. Proof that an offender has lived in the State for 14 days continuously or an aggregate of 30 days within a period of one year gives rise to a permissible inference under the Maine Rules of Evidence, Rule 303 that the person has established a residence for the purposes of registration requirements imposed by this chapter.
Post-2013 34-A ME Rev Stat § 11283
A person who has been sentenced for a military, tribal or federal offense requiring registration pursuant to the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, Public Law 109-248, 42 United States Code, Chapter 151 or in a jurisdiction other than this State who is required under that jurisdiction to register pursuant to that jurisdiction’s sex offender registration statute or would have been required to register if the person had remained in the jurisdiction or, if not so required, who has been sentenced for an offense that includes the essential elements of a Tier I, Tier II or Tier III offense shall register as a Tier I registrant, a Tier II registrant or a Tier III registrant, whichever is applicable, within 3 days and shall notify the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction within 24 hours of establishing domicile or residence in this State. The person shall contact the bureau, which shall provide the person with the registration form and direct the person to take the form and a current photograph of the person to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction. The law enforcement agency shall supervise the completion of the form, take the person’s fingerprints and immediately forward the form, photograph and fingerprints to the bureau.
34-A ME Rev Stat § 11273
12. Residence. “Residence” means that place or those places, other than a domicile, in which a person may spend time living, residing or dwelling. Proof that an offender has lived in the State for 14 days continuously or an aggregate of 30 days within a period of one year gives rise to a permissible inference under the Maine Rules of Evidence, Rule 303 that the person has established a residence for the purposes of registration requirements imposed by this chapter.
