What is the Sex Offender Registry?
What is the Sex Offender Registry?
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.
What is SORNA?
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.
Why Are the Requirements for Sex Offender Registration Different Everywhere?
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.
Where PIN Comes In
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:
- What is the duration of registration?
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.
- Must the immediate community be notified directly, either by the offender or law enforcement?
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.
- What are the residence distance restrictions?
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.
- What are the employment distance restrictions?
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.
- Is an employer’s information included on the public registry?
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.
- Are online identifiers included on the public registry?
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.
- Is a state-issued ID required to be labeled?
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.
- What is the cost of registration?
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.
- How long can a registrant be in the state for work or education before registration is required?
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.
- How long can a registrant visit the state before registration is required?
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.
Disclaimer
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.
What is the duration of registration?
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.
2 states and territories do not offer an option for eventual removal from the registry.
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.
| State | What is the duration of registration? |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Lifetime |
| Alaska | 15 years after unconditional discharge; Lifetime |
| Arizona | 10 years from release from prison, jail, probation, community supervision or parole; Lifetime |
| Arkansas | 15 years after initial registration or registration after incarceration; Lifetime |
| California | 10 years, 20 years following release from incarceration or release on probation or other supervision; Lifetime |
| Colorado | Upon completion of sentence; 5 years, 10 years, 20 years from date of discharge from DOC or DHS or final release from jurisdiction of the court; Lifetime |
| Connecticut | 10 years; Lifetime |
| Delaware | 15 years, 25 years following release from incarceration or following the effective date of any sentence to be served on supervision; Lifetime |
| Florida | 25 years after release from confinement, supervision, or sanction, whichever is later; Lifetime |
| Georgia | Upon completion of all prison, parole, supervised release, and probation; 10 years after completion; Lifetime |
| Hawaii | 10 years, 25 years of maintaining a clean record; 40 years after release or sentencing, whichever is later; Lifetime |
| Idaho | 10 years from release from incarceration or placement on parole, supervised release, or probation, whichever is greater; Lifetime |
| Illinois | 10 years from conviction for probation sentences; 10 years from final parole, discharge, or release for custody sentences; Lifetime |
| Indiana | 10 years after release from incarceration or placement in program, on parole or probation; Lifetime |
| Iowa | 10 years from placement on probation or release from incarceration; Lifetime |
| Kansas | 15 years, 25 years after the date of parole, discharge, or release; Lifetime |
| Kentucky | 20 years following discharge from confinement or probation; Lifetime |
| Louisiana | 15 years, 25 years from the date of initial registration in Louisiana; Lifetime |
| Maine | 10 years; Lifetime OR 10 years; 25 years; Lifetime |
| Maryland | 15 years; 25 years; Lifetime |
| Massachusetts | 20 years after conviction or release from all custody or supervision, whichever occurs last; Lifetime |
| Michigan | 15 years; 25 years; Lifetime |
| Minnesota | 10 years after initial registration or until probation, supervised release, or conditional release period expires, whichever occurs later; Lifetime |
| Mississippi | 15 years, 25 years on registry in this state from most recent of release from prison or placement on parole, supervised release, or probation; Lifetime |
| Missouri | 15 years; 25 years; Lifetime |
| Montana | After 10 years, 25 years of registration; Lifetime |
| Nebraska | 15 years, 25 years after discharge from probation, parole, or supervised release, or release from incarceration; Lifetime |
| Nevada | 15 years; 25 years; Lifetime |
| New Hampshire | 10 years from date of release; Lifetime |
| New Jersey | 15 years following conviction or release from incarceration; Lifetime |
| New Mexico | 10 years; Lifetime |
| New York | 20 years from the initial date of registration; Lifetime |
| North Carolina | After 10 years, 30 years of registration; Lifetime |
| North Dakota | 15 years, 25 years after date of sentence or release from incarceration; Lifetime |
| Ohio | 15 years; 25 years; Lifetime |
| Oklahoma | 15 years, 25 years from completion of sentence; Lifetime |
| Oregon | 5 years, 10 years after termination of supervision or discharge from jurisdiction of the court; Lifetime |
| Pennsylvania | 10 years; Lifetime; OR 15 years; 25 years; Lifetime |
| Rhode Island | 10 years from the expiration of sentence; Lifetime |
| South Carolina | Lifetime |
| South Dakota | 10 years; 25 years; Lifetime |
| Tennessee | 10 years after termination of active supervision on probation, parole, or any other alternative to incarceration, or discharge from incarceration without supervision; Lifetime |
| Texas | 10 years after release from incarceration or community supervision; Lifetime |
| Utah | 10 years after termination of sentence; Lifetime |
| Vermont | As of July 1, 2015: determined by the courts. Prior: 10 years after release from prison or discharge from parole, supervised release, or probation, whichever is later; Lifetime |
| Virginia | 15 years, 25 years from later of initial registration or last conviction for violation or any felony; Lifetime |
| Washington | 10 years, 15 years after release from confinement or entry of the judgement and sentence; Lifetime |
| West Virginia | 10 years after release from incarceration or placement on probation, parole, or supervised or conditional release; Lifetime |
| Wisconsin | 15 years after conviction, incarceration, or supervision; Lifetime |
| Wyoming | 10 years; 25 years; Lifetime |
| Washington DC | Until the expiration of probation, parole, supervised release, etc. or 10 years after placement on such or unconditional release from incarceration, whichever is latest; Lifetime |
| Guam | 15 years from initial registration; Lifetime |
| NMI | 15 years, 25 years from sentencing or release from incarceration; Lifetime |
| Puerto Rico | 15 years, 25 years after release from prison or notice of registration is served; Lifetime |
| US Virgin Islands | 15 years, 25 years from release from custody or from date of sentencing if not incarcerated; Lifetime |
Alabama
AL Code § 15-20A-10
(f) An adult sex offender shall appear in person to verify all required registration information during the adult sex offender’s birth month and every three months thereafter, regardless of the month of conviction, for the duration of the adult sex offender’s life with local law enforcement in each county in which the adult sex offender resides.
Alaska
AK Stat § 12.63.020
(a) The duty of a sex offender or child kidnapper to comply with the requirements of AS 12.63.010 is as follows:
(1) for a sex offender or child kidnapper, as that term is defined in AS 12.63.100(6)(A), for each sex offense or child kidnapping, the duty
(A) continues for the lifetime of a sex offender or child kidnapper convicted of
(i) one aggravated sex offense; or
(ii) two or more sex offenses, two or more child kidnappings, or one sex offense and one child kidnapping; for purposes of this section, a person convicted of indecent exposure before a person under 16 years of age under AS 11.41.460 more than two times has been convicted of two or more sex offenses;
(B) ends 15 years following the sex offender’s or child kidnapper’s unconditional discharge from a conviction for a single sex offense that is not an aggravated sex offense or for a single child kidnapping if the sex offender or child kidnapper has supplied proof that is acceptable to the department of the unconditional discharge; the registration period under this subparagraph
(i) is tolled for each year that a sex offender or child kidnapper fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter or is incarcerated for the offense or kidnapping for which the offender or kidnapper is required to register or for any other offense;
(ii) may include the time a sex offender or child kidnapper was absent from this state if the sex offender or child kidnapper has complied with any sex offender or child kidnapper registration requirements of the jurisdiction in which the offender or kidnapper was located and if the sex offender or child kidnapper provides the department with proof of the compliance while the sex offender or child kidnapper was absent from this state; and
(iii) continues for a sex offender or child kidnapper who has not supplied proof acceptable to the department of the offender’s or kidnapper’s unconditional discharge for the sex offense or child kidnapping requiring registration;
Arizona
A.R.S. § 13-3821.
M. A person who is required to register pursuant to this section because of a conviction or adjudication of guilty except insane for the unlawful imprisonment of a minor or the kidnapping of a minor is required to register, absent additional or subsequent convictions or adjudications, for a period of ten years from the date that the person is released from prison, jail, probation, community supervision or parole and the person has fulfilled all restitution obligations. Notwithstanding this subsection, a person who has a prior conviction or adjudication of guilty except insane for an offense for which registration is required pursuant to this section is required to register for life.
Arkansas
AR Code § 12-12-919
(a) Lifetime registration is required for a sex offender who:
(1) Was found to have committed an aggravated sex offense;
(2) Was determined by the court to be or assessed as a Level 4 sexually dangerous person;
(3) Has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a second or subsequent sex offense under a separate case number, not multiple counts on the same charge;
(4) Was convicted of rape by forcible compulsion, § 5-14-103(a)(1), or other substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction; or
(5) Has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of failing to comply with registration and reporting requirements under § 12-12-904 three (3) or more times.
(b)(1)(A)(i)(a) Any other sex offender required to register under this subchapter may apply for an order terminating the obligation to register to the sentencing court fifteen (15) years after the date the sex offender first registered in Arkansas.
(b)(1)(A)(i)(b) If the sex offender was incarcerated in a correctional facility, the date the sex offender first registered in Arkansas is the date the sex offender registered upon his or her release from the correctional facility.
(ii) After fifteen (15) years of having been registered as a sex offender in Arkansas, a sex offender sentenced in another state but permanently residing in Arkansas may apply for an order terminating the obligation to register in the circuit court of the county in which the sex offender resides or has last resided within this state.
(c) If a court denies a petition to terminate the obligation to register under this section, the sex offender may not file a new petition to terminate the obligation to register under this section before three (3) years from the date the order denying the previous petition was filed.
California
CA Penal Code § 290
(d) A person described in subdivision (c), or who is otherwise required to register pursuant to the Act shall register for 10 years, 20 years, or life, following a conviction and release from incarceration, placement, commitment, or release on probation or other supervision, as follows:
(1)(A) A tier one offender is subject to registration for a minimum of 10 years.
(2)(A) A tier two offender is subject to registration for a minimum of 20 years.
(3) A tier three offender is subject to registration for life.
Colorado
CO Rev Stat § 16-22-113
(1) Except as required in subsection (3) of this section, any person required to register pursuant to section 16-22-103 or whose information is required to be posted on the internet pursuant to section 16-22-111 may file a petition with the court that issued the order of judgment for the conviction that requires the person to register for an order to discontinue the requirement for such registration or internet posting, or both, as follows:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this subsection (1), if the offense that required such person to register constituted or would constitute a class 1, 2, or 3 felony, after a period of twenty years from the date of such person’s discharge from the department of corrections, if such person was sentenced to incarceration, or discharge from the department of human services, if such person was committed, or final release from the jurisdiction of the court for such offense, if such person has not subsequently been convicted of unlawful sexual behavior or of any other offense, the underlying factual basis of which involved unlawful sexual behavior;
(a.5) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (1)(d), (1)(e), and (1)(f) of this section, if the offense that required the person to register constituted human trafficking for sexual servitude pursuant to section 18-3-504 (1)(a), upon completion of the person’s sentence and his or her discharge from the department of corrections, if he or she was sentenced to incarceration, or discharge from the department of human services, if he or she was committed to such department, or final release from the jurisdiction of the court for the offense, if the person has not subsequently been convicted of unlawful sexual behavior or of any other offense, the underlying factual basis of which involved unlawful sexual behavior, the person may file a petition with the court pursuant to subsection (2) of this section. Notwithstanding any other information obtained by the court during the hearing of the petition, a court shall not issue an order discontinuing the petitioner’s duty to register unless the petitioner has at least established by a preponderance of the evidence that at the time he or she committed the offense of human trafficking for sexual servitude, he or she had been trafficked by another person, as described in section 18-3-503 or 18-3-504, for the purpose of committing the offense. Failure to make the required showing pursuant to this subsection (1)(a.5) requires the person to comply with the provisions of subsection (1)(a) of this section for any subsequent petition to discontinue the person’s duty to register.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this subsection (1), if the offense that required such person to register constituted or would constitute a class 4, 5, or 6 felony or the class 1 misdemeanor of unlawful sexual contact, as described in section 18-3-404, C.R.S., or sexual assault in the third degree as described in section 18-3-404, C.R.S., as it existed prior to July 1, 2000, after a period of ten years from the date of such person’s discharge from the department of corrections, if such person was sentenced to incarceration, or discharge from the department of human services, if such person was committed, or final release from the jurisdiction of the court for such offense, if such person has not subsequently been convicted of unlawful sexual behavior or of any other offense, the underlying factual basis of which involved unlawful sexual behavior;
(c) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this subsection (1), if the offense that required such person to register constituted or would constitute a misdemeanor other than the class 1 misdemeanor of unlawful sexual contact, as described in section 18-3-404, C.R.S., or sexual assault in the third degree as described in section 18-3-404, C.R.S., as it existed prior to July 1, 2000, after a period of five years from the date of such person’s final release from the jurisdiction of the court for such offense, if such person has not subsequently been convicted of unlawful sexual behavior or of any other offense, the underlying factual basis of which involved unlawful sexual behavior;
Connecticut
By law, the required registration period is based on the offense as follows:
1. generally, 10 years for the first conviction, and lifetime for a subsequent conviction of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor (CGS § 54-251);
2. generally, 10 years for the first conviction, and lifetime for a subsequent conviction of a nonviolent sexual offense (CGS § 54-251); and
3. lifetime for sexually violent offenses (CGS § 54-252).
Under the law, the court may also impose registration for 10 years for a felony the court finds was committed for a sexual purpose (CGS § 54-254)
– Summarized by Connecticut Office of Legislative Research. The full statutes can be found at https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_969.htm.
Delaware
11 DE Code § 4121
(e) (1) Any person designated as a sex offender who is required to register pursuant to this section shall comply with the registration provisions of § 4120 of this title as follows:
a. For life, if the sex offender is designated to Risk Assessment Tier III, or if the person is designated to Risk Assessment Tier I or II, and has previously been convicted of any of the offenses specified in paragraph (a)(4)a., (a)(4)c. or (a)(4)d. of this section;
b. For 25 years following the sex offender’s release from Level V custody, or for 25 years following the effective date of any sentence to be served at Level IV or below, if the person is designated to Risk Assessment Tier II, and is not otherwise required to register for life pursuant to this subsection, except that any time spent at any subsequent period of Level V custody shall not be counted against such 25-year period; or
c. For 15 years following the sex offender’s release from Level V custody, or for 15 years following the effective date of any sentence to be served at Level IV or below, if the person is designated to Risk Assessment Tier I, and is not otherwise required to register for life pursuant to this subsection, except that any time spent at any subsequent period of Level V custody shall not be counted against such 15-year period.
Level V custody refers to incarceration in a jail/prison.
Level IV custody refers to Work Release Centers, Home Confinement (electronic monitoring), Residential Drug Treatment, Violation of Probation Centers.
– Delaware Department of Correction
Florida
FL Stat § 943.0435
(11) Except as provided in s. 943.04354, a sexual offender shall maintain registration with the department for the duration of his or her life unless the sexual offender has received a full pardon or has had a conviction set aside in a postconviction proceeding for any offense that meets the criteria for classifying the person as a sexual offender for purposes of registration. However, a sexual offender shall be considered for removal of the requirement to register as a sexual offender only if the person:
(a)1. Has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or sanction, whichever is later, for at least 25 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release, provided that the sexual offender’s requirement to register was not based upon an adult conviction:
a. For a violation of s. 787.01 or s. 787.02;
b. For a violation of s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10);
c. For a violation of s. 800.04(4)(a)2. where the court finds the offense involved a victim under 12 years of age or sexual activity by the use of force or coercion;
d. For a violation of s. 800.04(5)(b);
e. For a violation of s. 800.04(5)(c)2. where the court finds the offense involved the use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals or genital area;
f. For a violation of s. 825.1025(2)(a);
g. For any attempt or conspiracy to commit any such offense;
h. For a violation of similar law of another jurisdiction; or
i. For a violation of a similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this subparagraph.
Georgia
GA Code § 42-1-19
(a) An individual required to register pursuant to Code Section 42-1-12 may petition a superior court for release from registration requirements and from any residency or employment restrictions of this article if the individual:
(4) Has completed all prison, parole, supervised release, and probation for the offense which required registration pursuant to Code Section 42-1-12 and meets the criteria set forth in subparagraphs (c)(1)(A) through (c)(1)(F) of Code Section 17-10-6.2.
(b)(3) If a petition for release is denied, another petition for release shall not be filed within a period of two years from the date of the final order on a previous petition.
(c)(2) An individual who meets the requirements of paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of this Code section may be considered for release from registration requirements and from residency or employment restrictions only if:
(A) Ten years have elapsed since the individual completed all prison, parole, supervised release, and probation for the offense which required registration pursuant to Code Section 42-1-12; or
(B) The individual has been classified by the board as a Level I risk assessment classification, provided that if the board has not done a risk assessment classification for such individual, the court shall order such classification to be completed prior to considering the petition for release.
Hawaii
HI Rev State § 846E-2
(a) A covered offender shall register with the attorney general and comply with the provisions of this chapter for life or for a shorter period of time as provided in this chapter. 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. A covered offender shall be eligible to petition the court in a civil proceeding for an order that the covered offender’s registration requirements under this chapter be terminated, as provided in section 846E-10.
HI Rev State § 846E-10
(a) Tier 3 offenses. A covered offender whose covered offense is any of the following offenses shall register for life and, except as provided in subsection (e), may not petition the court, in a civil proceeding, for termination of registration requirements:
(1) Any offense set forth in section 707-730(1)(a), (b), (d), or (e); 707-731(1)(a) or (b); 707‑732(1)(a), (b), or (g); or 707-733.6;
(2) An offense set forth in section 707-720; provided that the offense involves kidnapping of a minor by someone other than a parent;
(3) An offense that is an attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit any of the offenses in paragraph (1) or (2);
(4) Any criminal offense that is comparable to one of the offenses in paragraph (1), (2), or (3); or
(5) Any federal, military, out-of-state, tribal, or foreign offense that is comparable to one of the offenses in paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
(b) A repeat covered offender shall register for life and, except as provided in subsection (e), may not petition the court, in a civil proceeding, for termination of registration requirements.
(c) Tier 2 offenses. A covered offender who has maintained a clean record for the previous twenty-five years, excluding any time the offender was in custody or civilly committed, and who has substantially complied with the registration requirements of this chapter for the previous twenty-five years, or for the portion of that twenty-five years that this chapter has been applicable, and who is not a repeat covered offender may petition the court, in a civil proceeding, for termination of registration requirements; provided that the covered offender’s most serious covered offense is one of the following:
(1) Any offense set forth in section 707-730(1)(c), 707‑731(1)(c), 707-732(1)(c), 707-750, 707-751, 712‑1202, or 712-1203(1)(b), as section 712-1203(1)(b) read before its amendment pursuant to section 9 of Act 147, Session Laws of Hawaii 2008;
(2) An offense set forth in section 707-720; provided that the charging document for the offense for which there has been a conviction alleged intent to subject the victim to a sexual offense;
(3) An offense set forth in section 707-756 that includes an intent to promote or facilitate the commission of another felony covered offense as defined in section 846E-1;
(4) An offense that is an attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit any of the offenses in paragraph (1), (2), or (3);
(5) Any criminal offense that is comparable to one of the offenses in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4); or
(6) Any federal, military, out-of-state, tribal, or foreign offense that is comparable to one of the offenses in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4).
(d) Tier 1 offenses. A covered offender who has maintained a clean record for the previous ten years, excluding any time the offender was in custody or civilly committed, and who has substantially complied with the registration requirements of this chapter for the previous ten years, or for the portion of that ten years that this chapter has been applicable, and who is not a repeat covered offender may petition the court, in a civil proceeding, for termination of registration requirements; provided that the covered offender’s most serious covered offense is one of the following:
(1) Any offense set forth in section 707-732(1)(d), (e), or (f); 707-733(1)(a); 707-752; 707-759; 711-1110.9; 712‑1203(1); or 712-1209.1;
(2) An offense set forth in section 707-721 or 707-722; provided that the offense involves unlawful imprisonment of a minor by someone other than a parent;
(3) An offense set forth in section 707-757 that includes an intent to promote or facilitate the commission of another covered offense as defined in section 846E-1;
(4) An offense that is an attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit any of the offenses in paragraph (1), (2), or (3);
(5) Any criminal offense that is comparable to one of the offenses in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4);
(6) Any federal, military, out-of-state, tribal, or foreign offense that is comparable to one of the offenses in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4); or
(7) Any other covered offense that is not specified in subsection (a) or (c) or paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6).
(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this section, any covered offender, forty years after the covered offender’s date of release or sentencing, whichever is later, for the covered offender’s most recent covered offense, may petition the court, in a civil proceeding, for termination of registration requirements.
Idaho
ID Code § 18-8307
(7) An offender shall keep the registration current for the full registration period. The full registration period is for life; however, offenders may petition for release from the full registration period as set forth in section 18-8310, Idaho Code.
ID Code § 18-8310
Registration under this act is for life; however, any offender, other than a recidivist, an offender who has been convicted of an aggravated offense, or an offender designated as a violent sexual predator, may, after a period of ten (10) years from the date the offender was released from incarceration or placed on parole, supervised release or probation, whichever is greater, petition the district court for a show cause hearing to determine whether the offender shall be exempted from the duty to register as a sexual offender.
Illinois
A sex offender must register in person annually for a period of 10 years. The 10-year registration period will start upon conviction for those offenders sentenced to probation. Those offenders sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections, another state’s department of corrections, or federal corrections must register for 10 years from final parole, discharge, or release.
Those offenders adjudicated as Sexually Dangerous or Sexually Violent, must register every 90 days for natural life.
Offenders classified as a sexual predator must register annually for his/her natural life.
– Illinois State Police
730 ILCS 150/7
Sec. 7. Duration of registration.
A person who has been adjudicated to be sexually dangerous and is later released or found to be no longer sexually dangerous and discharged, shall register for the period of his or her natural life. A sexually violent person or sexual predator shall register for the period of his or her natural life after conviction or adjudication if not confined to a penal institution, hospital, or other institution or facility, and if confined, for the period of his or her natural life after parole, discharge, or release from any such facility. A person who becomes subject to registration under paragraph (2.1) of subsection (c) of Section 3 of this Article who has previously been subject to registration under this Article shall register for the period currently required for the offense for which the person was previously registered if not confined to a penal institution, hospital, or other institution or facility, and if confined, for the same period after parole, discharge, or release from any such facility. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, a person who becomes subject to registration under this Article who has previously been subject to registration under this Article or under the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act or similar registration requirements of other jurisdictions shall register for the period of his or her natural life if not confined to a penal institution, hospital, or other institution or facility, and if confined, for the period of his or her natural life after parole, discharge, or release from any such facility. Any other person who is required to register under this Article shall be required to register for a period of 10 years after conviction or adjudication if not confined to a penal institution, hospital or any other institution or facility, and if confined, for a period of 10 years after parole, discharge or release from any such facility. A sex offender who is allowed to leave a county, State, or federal facility for the purposes of work release, education, or overnight visitations shall be required to register within 3 days of beginning such a program. Liability for registration terminates at the expiration of 10 years from the date of conviction or adjudication if not confined to a penal institution, hospital or any other institution or facility and if confined, at the expiration of 10 years from the date of parole, discharge or release from any such facility, providing such person does not, during that period, again become liable to register under the provisions of this Article. Reconfinement due to a violation of parole or other circumstances that relates to the original conviction or adjudication shall extend the period of registration to 10 years after final parole, discharge, or release. Reconfinement due to a violation of parole, a conviction reviving registration, or other circumstances that do not relate to the original conviction or adjudication shall toll the running of the balance of the 10-year period of registration, which shall not commence running until after final parole, discharge, or release. The Director of the Illinois State Police, consistent with administrative rules, shall extend for 10 years the registration period of any sex offender, as defined in Section 2 of this Act, who fails to comply with the provisions of this Article. The registration period for any sex offender who fails to comply with any provision of the Act shall extend the period of registration by 10 years beginning from the first date of registration after the violation. If the registration period is extended, the Illinois State Police shall send a registered letter to the law enforcement agency where the sex offender resides within 3 days after the extension of the registration period. The sex offender shall report to that law enforcement agency and sign for that letter. One copy of that letter shall be kept on file with the law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction where the sex offender resides and one copy shall be returned to the Illinois State Police.
Indiana
IC 11-8-8-19
(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) through (f), a sex or violent offender is required to register under this chapter until the expiration of ten (10) years after the date the sex or violent offender:
(1) is released from a penal facility (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-232) or a secure juvenile detention facility of a state or another jurisdiction;
(2) is placed in a community transition program;
(3) is placed in a community corrections program;
(4) is placed on parole; or
(5) is placed on probation;
for the sex or violent offense requiring registration, whichever occurs last. The registration period is tolled during any period that the sex or violent offender is incarcerated. The registration period does not restart if the offender is convicted of a subsequent offense. However, if the subsequent offense is a sex or violent offense, or an offense under IC 11-8-8-17, a new registration period may be imposed in accordance with this chapter. The department shall ensure that an offender who is no longer required to register as a sex or violent offender is notified that the obligation to register has expired, and shall ensure that the offender’s information is no longer published to the public portal of the sex and violent offender registry Internet web site established under IC 36-2-13-5.5.
(b) A sex or violent offender who is a sexually violent predator is required to register for life.
(c) A sex or violent offender who is convicted of at least one (1) offense under section 5(a) of this chapter that the sex or violent offender committed:
(1) when the person was at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
(2) against a victim who was less than twelve (12) years of age at the time of the crime;
is required to register for life.
(d) A sex or violent offender who is convicted of at least one (1) offense under section 5(a) of this chapter in which the sex offender:
(1) proximately caused serious bodily injury or death to the victim;
(2) used force or the threat of force against the victim or a member of the victim’s family, unless the offense is sexual battery as a Class D felony (for an offense committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 6 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014); or
(3) rendered the victim unconscious or otherwise incapable of giving voluntary consent;
is required to register for life.
(e) A sex or violent offender who is convicted of at least two (2) unrelated offenses under section 5(a) of this chapter is required to register for life.
(f) A person who is required to register as a sex or violent offender in any jurisdiction shall register for the period required by the other jurisdiction or the period described in this section, whichever is longer.
Iowa
IA Code § 692A.106
1. Except as otherwise provided in section 232.54, 692A.103, or 692A.128, or this section, the duration of registration required under this chapter shall be for a period of ten years. The registration period shall begin as provided in section 692A.103.
2. A sex offender who has been sentenced to a special sentence under section 903B.1 or 903B.2, shall be required to register for a period equal to the term of the special sentence, but in no case not less than the period specified in subsection 1.
3. If a sex offender is placed on probation, parole, or work release and the probation, parole, or work release is revoked, the period of registration shall commence anew upon release from custody.
4. A sex offender who is convicted of violating any of the requirements of this chapter shall register for an additional ten years, commencing from the date the offender’s registration would have expired under subsection 1 or, in the case of an offender who has been sentenced to a special sentence under section 903B.1 or 903B.2, commencing from the date the offender’s registration would have expired under subsection 2.
5. A sex offender shall, upon a second or subsequent conviction that requires a second registration, or upon conviction of an aggravated offense, or who has previously been convicted of one or more offenses that would have required registration under this chapter, register for life.
6. A sexually violent predator shall register for life.
Kansas
Adults are required to register for 15 years, 25 years, or lifetime depending on their crime of conviction. If an adult is convicted of a second or subsequent offense that requires registration, the offender must register for life.
– Summarized by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation
The list of offenses and their required duration of registration can be found in K.S.A. 22-4906.
Kentucky
KRS 17.520
(1) A registrant, upon his or her release by the court, the Parole Board, the cabinet, or any detention facility, shall be required to register for a period of time required under this section.
(2) (a) Lifetime registration is required for:
1. Any person who has been convicted of kidnapping, as set forth in KRS 509.040, when the victim is under the age of eighteen (18) at the time of the commission of the offense, except when the offense is committed by a parent;
2. Any person who has been convicted of unlawful imprisonment, as set forth in KRS 509.020, when the victim is under the age of eighteen (18) at the time of the commission of the offense, except when the offense is committed by a parent;
3. Any person convicted of a sex crime:
a. Who has one (1) or more prior convictions of a felony criminal offense against a victim who is a minor; or
b. Who has one (1) or more prior sex crime convictions;
4. Any person who has been convicted of two (2) or more felony criminal offenses against a victim who is a minor;
5. Any person who has been convicted of:
a. Rape in the first degree under KRS 510.040; or
b. Sodomy in the first degree under KRS 510.070; and
6. Any sexually violent predator.
(3) All other registrants are required to register for twenty (20) years following discharge from confinement or twenty (20) years following the maximum discharge date on probation, shock probation, conditional discharge, parole, or other form of early release, whichever period is greater.
(4) If a person required to register under this section is reincarcerated for another offense or as the result of having violated the terms of probation, parole, postincarceration supervision, or conditional discharge, the registration requirements and the remaining period of time for which the registrant shall register are tolled during the reincarceration.
Louisiana
LA Rev Stat § 15:544
A. Except as provided for in Subsection B of this Section, a person required to register and provide notification pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall comply with the requirement for a period of fifteen years from the date of the initial registration in Louisiana, or the duration of the lifetime of the offender as provided in Subsection E of this Section, unless the underlying conviction is reversed, set aside, or vacated, except for those convictions that were reversed, set aside, or vacated pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893 or 894, or a similar provision of federal law or law from another state or military jurisdiction. The requirement to register shall apply to an offender who receives a pardon as a first-time offender pursuant to Article IV, Section 5(E)(1) of the Constitution of Louisiana and R.S. 15:572(B)(1).
B.(1) A person required to register pursuant to this Chapter who was convicted of a sexual offense against a victim who is a minor as defined in R.S. 15:541 shall register and maintain his registration and provide community notification pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter for a period of twenty-five years from the date of initial registration in Louisiana, or the duration of the lifetime of the offender as provided in Subsection E of this Section, unless the underlying conviction is reversed, set aside, or vacated, except for those convictions that were reversed, set aside, or vacated pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893 or 894, or a similar provision of federal law or law from another state or military jurisdiction. The requirement to register shall apply to an offender who receives a pardon as a first-time offender pursuant to Article IV, Section 5(E)(1) of the Constitution of Louisiana and R.S. 15:572(B)(1).
E.
(1) The registration period of fifteen years established in Subsection A of this Section may be reduced to a period of ten years if the offender maintains a clean record for the entire ten-year period of registration upon motion to be relieved of the sex offender registration in the court of conviction for those convicted in Louisiana, or the court of the parish of residence for those convicted under the laws of another state, or military, territorial, foreign, tribal, or federal law which have been determined to be comparable to a Louisiana offense requiring a fifteen-year registration period by the bureau pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 15:542.1.3. The court shall consider a motion filed pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection only if the motion is accompanied by documentation of completion of an appropriate sex offender treatment program as described in Subparagraph (3)(d) of this Subsection.
(2) The lifetime registration period established in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section may be reduced to a period of twenty-five years if the offender was adjudicated delinquent for the offense which requires registration and maintains a clean record for twenty-five years upon motion to be relieved of the sex offender registration in the court of adjudication for those adjudicated in Louisiana, or court of the parish of residence for those adjudicated under the laws of another state, or military, territorial, foreign, tribal, or federal law. The court shall consider a motion filed pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection only if the motion is accompanied by documentation of completion of an appropriate sex offender treatment program as described in Subparagraph (3)(d) of this Subsection.
(3) For purposes of this Subsection, an offender maintains a “clean record” by:
(a) Not being convicted of any offense for which imprisonment for more than one year may be imposed.
(b) Not being convicted of any sex offense.
(c) Successfully completing any periods of supervised release, probation, or parole.
(d) Successfully completing an appropriate sex offender treatment program by a registered treatment as provided in R.S. 24:936 or an appropriate sex offender treatment program certified by the Attorney General of the United States.
(e) Complying with all sex offender registration and notification requirements in Louisiana each year for the prescribed period of time pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
Maine
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.
Pre-2013 34-A ME Rev Stat § 11225-A
1. Ten-year registrant convicted and sentenced in State. The following provisions apply to a 10-year registrant convicted and sentenced in this State.
B. A 10-year registrant sentenced in this State shall register for a period of 10 years. The 10-year period is calculated as follows.
(1) If the 10-year registrant was sentenced prior to September 18, 1999 to a wholly suspended sentence with probation or administrative release or to a punishment alternative not involving imprisonment, the 10-year period is treated as having begun at the time the person commenced an actual execution of the wholly suspended sentence or at the time of sentence imposition when no punishment alternative involving imprisonment was imposed, unless the court ordered a stay of execution, in which event the 10-year period is treated as having begun at the termination of the stay.
(2) If the 10-year registrant was sentenced prior to September 18, 1999 to a straight term of imprisonment or to a split sentence, the 10-year period is treated as having begun at the time of discharge or conditional release.
(3) If the 10-year registrant was committed under Title 15, section 103 prior to September 18, 1999, the 10-year period is treated as having begun at the time of discharge or conditional release under Title 15, section 104-A.
(4) If the 10-year registrant was sentenced prior to September 18, 1999 and the person’s duty to register has not yet been triggered, the 10-year period commences upon registration by the person in compliance with section 11222, subsection 1-A, paragraph A, B or C.
(5) If the 10-year registrant was sentenced on or after September 18, 1999, the 10-year period commences from the date the person in fact initially registers once the legal duty to register arises under section 11222.
2. Ten-year registrant convicted and sentenced in another jurisdiction. The following provisions apply to a 10-year registrant convicted and sentenced in another jurisdiction and required to register in this State pursuant to section 11223, section 11224 or both.
A. A 10-year registrant shall register in this State for a period of 10 years if, pursuant to the other jurisdiction’s sex offender registration statute, the registration period is for a period of years rather than for a lifetime. The 10-year period commences from the date the person in fact initially registers in this State once the legal duty to register arises under section 11223, section 11224 or both. However, the 10-year registrant may receive day-for-day credit for the time actually registered pursuant to the other jurisdiction’s sex offender registration statutes prior to registering in this State upon applying to the bureau for credit. The bureau may grant credit if the registrant provides sufficient documentation in accordance with any rules adopted by the bureau.
B. A 10-year registrant shall register for a period of 10 years if registration was not required in that other jurisdiction and the person was sentenced on or after January 1, 1982 in that jurisdiction for a crime that includes the essential elements of a sex offense. The 10-year period is calculated by applying subsection 1, paragraph B, subparagraphs (1) to (4) but interpreted and applied to take into account substantially similar sentencing alternatives imposed in the other jurisdiction.
3. Lifetime registrant convicted and sentenced in this State. A lifetime registrant sentenced on or after January 1, 1982 in this State shall register for the duration of that registrant’s life.
4. Lifetime registrant convicted and sentenced in another jurisdiction. The following provisions apply to a lifetime registrant convicted and sentenced in another jurisdiction and required to register in this State pursuant to section 11223, section 11224 or both.
A. A person shall register in this State for the duration of that person’s life if, pursuant to that other jurisdiction’s sex offender registration statute, the registration period is for a lifetime.
B. A person shall register in this State for the duration of that person’s life if no registration was required in that other jurisdiction and the person was sentenced on or after January 1, 1982 in that jurisdiction for a crime that includes the essential elements of a sexually violent offense or the person has 2 or more prior convictions in that or any other jurisdiction for an offense or for an attempted offense that includes the essential elements of a sex offense or a sexually violent offense.
Post-2013 34-A ME Rev Stat § 11282
7 A. A Tier III registrant shall register for the duration of the registrant’s life and shall verify registration information every 3 months after the registrant’s initial registration date.
B. A Tier II registrant shall register for 25 years and shall verify registration information every 6 months after the registrant’s initial registration date.
C. A Tier I registrant shall register for 10 years and shall verify registration information annually after the registrant’s initial registration date.
Maryland
MD. Crim Pro Code Ann. § 11-707
(a) (4) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the term of registration is:
(i) 15 years, if the registrant is a tier I sex offender;
(ii) 25 years, if the registrant is a tier II sex offender;
(iii) the life of the registrant, if the registrant is a tier III sex offender; or
(c) Reduction of terms. — The term of registration for a tier I sex offender shall be reduced to 10 years if, in the 10 years following the date on which the registrant was required to register, the registrant:
(1) is not convicted of any offense for which a term of imprisonment of more than 1 year may be imposed;
(2) is not convicted of any sex offense;
(3) successfully completes, without revocation, any period of supervised release, parole, or probation; and
(4) successfully completes an appropriate sex offender treatment program.
Massachusetts
MGL c.6 § 178G
The duty of a sex offender required to register pursuant to this chapter and to comply with the requirements hereof shall, unless sooner terminated by the board under section 178L, end 20 years after such sex offender has been convicted or adjudicated or has been released from all custody or supervision, whichever last occurs, unless such sex offender was convicted of two or more sex offenses defined as sex offenses pursuant to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, 42 U.S.C. section 14071, committed on different occasions, has been convicted of a sexually violent offense; has been determined by the sentencing court to be a sexually violent predator, or if such sex offender is otherwise subject to lifetime registration requirements as determined by the board pursuant to section 178D, in which cases the duty to register shall never be terminated. A person required to register with the sex offender registry board may make an application to said board to terminate the obligation upon proof, by clear and convincing evidence, that the person has not committed a sex offense within ten years following conviction, adjudication or release from all custody or supervision, whichever is later, and is not likely to pose a danger to the safety of others. For so long as such sex offender is under a duty to register in the commonwealth or in any other state where the offender resides or would be under such a duty if residing in the commonwealth, such sex offender shall not be entitled to relief under the provisions of section 100A or 100B of chapter 276.
Michigan
MI Comp L § 28.725
(11) Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 8c, a tier I offender shall comply with this section for 15 years.
(12) Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 8c, a tier II offender shall comply with this section for 25 years.
(13) Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 8c, a tier III offender shall comply with this section for life.
(14) The registration periods under this section exclude any period of incarceration for committing a crime and any period of civil commitment.
Minnesota
MN Stat § 243.166
1. 6. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 609.165, subdivision 1, and except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), a person required to register under this section shall continue to comply with this section until ten years have elapsed since the person initially registered in connection with the offense, or until the probation, supervised release, or conditional release period expires, whichever occurs later. For a person required to register under this section who is committed under section 253B.18, Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 253B.185, or chapter 253D, the ten-year registration period does not include the period of commitment.
(b) If a person required to register under this section fails to provide the person’s primary address as required by subdivision 3, paragraph (b), fails to comply with the requirements of subdivision 3a, fails to provide information as required by subdivision 4a, or fails to return the verification form referenced in subdivision 4 within ten days, the commissioner of public safety shall require the person to continue to register for an additional period of five years. This five-year period is added to the end of the offender’s registration period.
(c) If a person required to register under this section is incarcerated due to a conviction for a new offense or following a revocation of probation, supervised release, or conditional release for any offense, the person shall continue to register until ten years have elapsed since the person was last released from incarceration or until the person’s probation, supervised release, or conditional release period expires, whichever occurs later.
(d) A person shall continue to comply with this section for the life of that person:
(1) if the person is convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for any offense for which registration is required under subdivision 1b, or any offense from another state or any federal offense similar to the offenses described in subdivision 1b, and the person has a prior conviction or adjudication for an offense for which registration was or would have been required under subdivision 1b, or an offense from another state or a federal offense similar to an offense described in subdivision 1b;
(2) if the person is required to register based upon a conviction or delinquency adjudication for an offense under section 609.185, paragraph (a), clause (2), or a similar statute from another state or the United States;
(3) if the person is required to register based upon a conviction for an offense under section 609.342, subdivision 1, clause (a) to (c) or (e), or subdivision 1a, clause (a) to (e) or (h); 609.343, subdivision 1, clause (a) to (c) or (e), or subdivision 1a, clause (a) to (e) or (h); 609.344, subdivision 1, clause (a) or (c), or subdivision 1a, clause (a), (c), (g), or (h); or 609.345, subdivision 1, clause (a) or (c), or subdivision 1a, clause (a), (c), (g), or (h); or a statute from another state or the United States similar to the offenses described in this clause; or
(4) if the person is required to register under subdivision 1b, paragraph (c), following commitment pursuant to a court commitment under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 253B.185, chapter 253D, Minnesota Statutes 1992, section 526.10, or a similar law of another state or the United States.
(e) A person described in subdivision 1b, paragraph (b), who is required to register under the laws of a state in which the person has been previously convicted or adjudicated delinquent, shall register under this section for the time period required by the state of conviction or adjudication unless a longer time period is required elsewhere in this section.
Mississippi
Miss. Code Ann. § 45-33-47
(2) A person required to register for a registrable sex offense under Section 45-33-25 may petition the circuit court of the sentencing jurisdiction, or for a person whose duty to register arose in another jurisdiction, the county in which the registrant resides, to be relieved of that duty under the following conditions:
(a) The offender has maintained his registration in Mississippi for the required minimum registration from the most recent date of occurrence of at least one (1) of the following: release from prison, placement on parole, supervised release or probation or as determined by the offender’s tier classification. Incarceration for any offense will restart the minimum registration requirement. Registration in any other jurisdiction does not reduce the minimum time requirement for maintaining registration in Mississippi.
(b) (i) Tier One requires registration for a minimum of fifteen (15) years in this state and includes any of the following listed registrable sex offenses:
(c) (i) Tier Two requires registration for a minimum of twenty-five (25) years in this state and includes any of the following listed registrable sex offenses:
(d) Tier Three requires lifetime registration, the registrant not being eligible to be relieved of the duty to register except as otherwise provided in this section, and includes any of the following listed registrable sex offenses:
(e) An offender who has two (2) separate convictions for any of the registrable offenses described in Section 45-33-23 is subject to lifetime registration and shall not be eligible to petition to be relieved of the duty to register if at least one (1) of the convictions was entered on or after July 1, 1995.
(f) An offender, twenty-one (21) years of age or older, who is convicted of any sex offense where the victim was fourteen (14) years of age or younger shall be subject to lifetime registration and shall not be relieved of the duty to register.
(g) A first-time offender fourteen (14) years of age or older adjudicated delinquent in a youth court for a registrable offense of rape pursuant to Section 96-3-65 or a registrable offense of sexual battery pursuant to Section 97-3-95 is subject to lifetime registration, but shall be eligible to petition to be relieved of the duty to register after twenty-five (25) years of registration.
(h) Registration following arrest or arraignment for failure to register is not a defense and does not relieve the sex offender of criminal liability for failure to register.
(i) The department shall continue to list in the registry the name and registration information of all registrants who no longer work, reside or attend school in this state even after the registrant moves to another jurisdiction and registers in the new jurisdiction as required by law. The registry shall note that the registrant moved out of state.
Missouri
MO Rev Stat § 589.400.
4. The registration requirements shall be as follows:
(1) Fifteen years if the offender is a tier I sex offender as provided under section 589.414;
(2) Twenty-five years if the offender is a tier II sex offender as provided under section 589.414; or
(3) The life of the offender if the offender is a tier III sex offender.
5. (1) The registration period shall be reduced as described in subdivision (3) of this subsection for a sex offender who maintains a clean record for the periods described under subdivision (2) of this subsection by:
(a) Not being adjudicated of any offense for which imprisonment for more than one year may be imposed;
(b) Not being adjudicated of any sex offense;
(c) Successfully completing any periods of supervised release, probation, or parole; and
(d) Successfully completing an appropriate sex offender treatment program certified by the attorney general.
(2) In the case of a:
(a) Tier I sex offender, the period during which the clean record shall be maintained is ten years;
(b) Tier III sex offender adjudicated delinquent for the offense which required registration in a sex offender registry under sections 589.400 to 589.425, the period during which the clean record shall be maintained is twenty-five years.
(3) In the case of a:
(a) Tier I sex offender, the reduction is five years;
(b) Tier III sex offender adjudicated delinquent, the reduction is from life to that period for which the clean record under paragraph (b) of subdivision (2) of this subsection is maintained.
Montana
MT Code § 46-23-506
(1) A sexual offender required to register under this part shall register for the remainder of the offender’s life, except as provided in subsection (3) or during a period of time during which the offender is in prison.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (5), at any time after 10 years of registration for a violent offender registered as provided in subsection (2)(b) or a level 1 sexual offender and at any time after 25 years of registration for a level 2 sexual offender, an offender may petition the sentencing court or the district court for the judicial district in which the offender resides for an order relieving the offender of the duty to register. The petition must be served on the county attorney in the county where the petition is filed. Prior to a hearing on the petition, the county attorney shall mail a copy of the petition to the victim of the last offense for which the offender was convicted if the victim’s address is reasonably available. The court shall consider any written or oral statements of the victim. The court may grant the petition upon finding that:
(a) the offender has remained a law-abiding citizen; and
(b) continued registration is not necessary for public protection and that relief from registration is in the best interests of society.
Nebraska
NE Code § 29-4005.
(1)(a) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person to whom the Sex Offender Registration Act applies shall be required to register during any period of supervised release, probation, or parole and shall continue to comply with the act for the period of time after the date of discharge from probation, parole, or supervised release or release from incarceration, whichever date is most recent, as set forth in subdivision (b) of this subsection. A sex offender shall keep the registration current for the full registration period but shall not be subject to verification procedures during any time the sex offender is in custody or under an inpatient civil commitment, unless the sex offender is allowed a reduction in his or her registration period under subsection (2) of this section.
(b) The full registration period is as follows:
(i) Fifteen years, if the sex offender was convicted of a registrable offense under section 29-4003 not punishable by imprisonment for more than one year;
(ii) Twenty-five years, if the sex offender was convicted of a registrable offense under section 29-4003 punishable by imprisonment for more than one year; or
(iii) Life, if the sex offender was convicted of a registrable offense under section 29-4003 punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and was convicted of an aggravated offense or had a prior sex offense conviction or has been determined to be a lifetime registrant in another state, territory, commonwealth, or other jurisdiction of the United States, by the United States Government, by court-martial or other military tribunal, or by a foreign jurisdiction.
Nevada
NRS 179D.490
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3 and NRS 62F.340, the full period of registration is:
(a) Fifteen years, if the offender or sex offender is a Tier I offender;
(b) Twenty-five years, if the offender or sex offender is a Tier II offender; and
(c) The life of the offender or sex offender, if the offender or sex offender is a Tier III offender,
exclusive of any time during which the offender or sex offender is incarcerated or confined.
3. If an offender or sex offender complies with the provisions for registration:
(a) For an interval of at least 10 consecutive years, if the offender or sex offender is a Tier I offender; or
(b) For an interval of at least 25 consecutive years, if the offender or sex offender is a Tier III offender adjudicated delinquent for the offense which required registration as an offender or sex offender,
during which the offender or sex offender is not convicted of an offense for which imprisonment for more than 1 year may be imposed, is not convicted of a sexual offense, successfully completes any periods of supervised release, probation or parole, and successfully completes a sex offender treatment program certified by the State or by the Attorney General of the United States, the offender or sex offender may file a petition to reduce the period of time during which the offender or sex offender has a duty to register with the district court in whose jurisdiction the offender or sex offender resides or, if he or she is a nonresident offender or sex offender, in whose jurisdiction the offender or sex offender is a student or worker. For the purposes of this subsection, registration begins on the date that the Central Repository or appropriate agency of another jurisdiction establishes a record of registration for the offender or sex offender or the date that the offender or sex offender is released, whichever occurs later.
4. If the offender or sex offender satisfies the requirements of subsection 3, the court shall hold a hearing on the petition at which the offender or sex offender and any other interested person may present witnesses and other evidence. If the court determines from the evidence presented at the hearing that the offender or sex offender satisfies the requirements of subsection 3, the court shall:
(a) If the offender or sex offender is a Tier I offender, reduce the period of time during which the offender or sex offender is required to register by 5 years; and
(b) If the offender or sex offender is a Tier III offender adjudicated delinquent for the offense which required registration as an offender or sex offender, reduce the period of time during which the offender or sex offender is required to register from the life of the offender or sex offender to that period of time for which the offender or sex offender meets the requirements of subsection 3.
New Hampshire
RSA 651-B:6
I. All tier II or tier III offenders shall be registered for life.
II. All tier I offenders shall be registered for a 10-year period from the date of release, provided that any such registration period shall not run concurrently with any registration period resulting from a subsequent violation or attempted violation of an offense for which the person is required to register.
III. (a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph V, all tier III offenders shall remain on the public list contained in RSA 651-B:7 for life.
(2) A tier II offender may petition the superior court to have his or her name and information removed from the public list. The petition shall not be filed prior to the completion of all the terms and conditions of the sentence and in no case earlier than 15 years after the date of release. The petition shall be accompanied by a risk assessment prepared by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist at the offender’s expense. The court may grant the petition if the offender has not been convicted of any felony, class A misdemeanor, sex offense, or offense against a child, has successfully completed any periods of supervised release, probation, or parole, and has successfully completed an appropriate sex offender treatment program as determined by the court. If the court denies the petition, the offender shall not file another petition for 5 years from the date of denial.
(3) A tier I offender may petition the superior court to have his or her name and other information removed from the public list. The petition shall not be filed prior to the completion of all the terms and conditions of the sentence and in no case earlier than 5 years after the date of release. The petition shall be accompanied by a risk assessment prepared by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist at the offender’s expense. The court may grant the petition if the offender has not been convicted of any felony, class A misdemeanor, sexual offense, or offense against a child, has successfully completed any periods of supervised release, probation, or parole, and has successfully completed an appropriate sex offender treatment program as determined by the court.
New Jersey
All sex offenders subject to Megan’s Law must register for the remainder of their lives. Sex offenders may apply to the court to be removed from the Sex Offender Registry if they committed only one offense, have not committed another offense for 15 years, and prove that they are not likely to pose a threat to the safety of others. Juvenile sex offenders may also apply to the court to be removed from the Sex Offender Registry if they were under the age of 14 at the time of their offense but are now over the age of 18.
– New Jersey State Police
N.J.S.A. 2C:7-2
f. Except as provided in subsection g. of this section, a person required to register under this act may make application to the Superior Court of this State to terminate the obligation upon proof that the person has not committed an offense within 15 years following conviction or release from a correctional facility for any term of imprisonment imposed, whichever is later, and is not likely to pose a threat to the safety of others.
g. A person required to register under this section who has been convicted of, adjudicated delinquent, or acquitted by reason of insanity for more than one sex offense as defined in subsection b. of this section or who has been convicted of, adjudicated delinquent, or acquitted by reason of insanity for aggravated sexual assault pursuant to subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:14-2 or sexual assault pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:14-2 is not eligible under subsection f. of this section to make application to the Superior Court of this State to terminate the registration obligation.
New Mexico
NM Stat § 29-11A-4
L. Following initial registration pursuant to the provisions of this section:
(1) a sex offender required to register pursuant to the provisions of Subsection D of Section 29 11A-5 NMSA 1978 shall verify registration information with the county sheriff as provided in Subsection N of this section not less than once in each ninety-day period following the date of the sex offender’s initial registration for the remainder of the sex offender’s natural life;
(2) a sex offender required to register pursuant to the provisions of Subsection E of Section 29-11A-5 NMSA 1978 shall verify registration information with the county sheriff as provided in Subsection N of this section once every six months for a period of ten years;
M. Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (2) of Subsection L of this section, if a sex offender is convicted a second or subsequent time for a sex offense set forth in Subsection E of Section 29-11A-5 NMSA 1978, the sex offender shall verify registration information with the county sheriff as provided in Subsection N of this section not less than once in each ninety-day period following the date of the sex offender’s initial registration for the remainder of the sex offender’s natural life.
New York
NY Corr L § 168-H
1. The duration of registration and verification for a sex offender who has not been designated a sexual predator, or a sexually violent offender, or a predicate sex offender, and who is classified as a level one risk, or who has not yet received a risk level classification, shall be annually for a period of twenty years from the initial date of registration.
2. The duration of registration and verification for a sex offender who, on or after March eleventh, two thousand two, is designated a sexual predator, or a sexually violent offender, or a predicate sex offender, or who is classified as a level two or level three risk, shall be annually for life. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a sex offender who is classified as a level two risk and who is not designated a sexual predator, a sexually violent offender or a predicate sex offender, may be relieved of the duty to register and verify as provided by subdivision one of section one hundred sixty-eight-o of this article.
North Carolina
NC Gen Stat § 14-208.7
Registration shall be maintained for a period of at least 30 years following the date of initial county registration unless the person, after 10 years of registration, successfully petitions the superior court to shorten his or her registration time period under G.S. 14-208.12A.
NC Gen Stat § 14-208.23
A person who is a recidivist, who is convicted of an aggravated offense, or who is classified as a sexually violent predator shall maintain registration for the person’s life. Except as provided under G.S. 14-208.6C, the requirement of registration shall not be terminated. (1997-516, s. 1; 2001-373, s. 9.)
North Dakota
N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-15
8. An individual required to register under this section shall comply with the registration requirement for the longer of the following periods:
a. A period of fifteen years after the date of sentence or order deferring or suspending sentence upon a plea or finding of guilt or after release from incarceration, whichever is later;
b. A period of twenty-five years after the date of sentence or order deferring or suspending sentence upon a plea or finding of guilt or after release from incarceration, whichever is later, if the offender is assigned a moderate risk by the attorney general as provided in subsection 12; or
c. For the life of the individual, if that individual:
(1) On two or more occasions has pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found guilty of a crime against a child or as a sexual offender. If all qualifying offenses are misdemeanors, this lifetime provision does not apply unless a qualifying offense was committed after August 1, 1999;
(2) Pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of, an offense committed after August 1, 1999, which is described in subdivision a of subsection 1 of section 12.1-20-03, section 12.1-20-03.1, or subdivision d of subsection 1 of section 12.1-20-03 if the person is an adult and the victim is under age twelve, or section 12.1-18-01 if that individual is an adult other than a parent of the victim, or an equivalent offense from another court in the United States, a tribal court, or court of another country; or
(3) Is assigned a high risk by the attorney general as provided in subsection 12.
Ohio
ORC § 2950.07 (B)
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the person is an offender who is a tier III sex offender/child-victim offender relative to the sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense, if the person is a delinquent child who is a tier III sex offender/child-victim offender relative to the sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense, or if the person is a delinquent child who is a public registry-qualified juvenile offender registrant relative to the sexually oriented offense, the offender’s or delinquent child’s duty to comply with those sections continues until the offender’s or delinquent child’s death. Regarding a delinquent child who is a tier III sex offender/child-victim offender relative to the offense but is not a public registry-qualified juvenile offender registrant relative to the offense, if the judge who made the disposition for the delinquent child or that judge’s successor in office subsequently enters a determination pursuant to section 2152.84 or 2152.85 of the Revised Code that the delinquent child no longer is a tier III sex offender/child-victim offender, the delinquent child’s duty to comply with those sections continues for the period of time that is applicable to the delinquent child under division (B)(2) or (3) of this section, based on the reclassification of the child pursuant to section 2152.84 or 21562.85 of the Revised Code as a tier I sex offender/child-victim offender or a tier II sex offender/child-victim offender. In no case shall the lifetime duty to comply that is imposed under this division on an offender who is a tier III sex offender/child-victim offender be removed or terminated. A delinquent child who is a public registry-qualified juvenile offender registrant may have the lifetime duty to register terminated only pursuant to section 2950.15 of the Revised Code.
(2) If the person is an offender who is a tier II sex offender/child-victim offender relative to the sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense, the offender’s duty to comply with those sections continues for twenty-five years. Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the person is a delinquent child who is a tier II sex offender/child-victim offender relative to the sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense, the delinquent child’s duty to comply with those sections continues for twenty years. Regarding a delinquent child who is a tier II sex offender/child-victim offender relative to the offense but is not a public registry-qualified juvenile offender registrant relative to the offense, if the judge who made the disposition for the delinquent child or that judge’s successor in office subsequently enters a determination pursuant to section 2152.84 or 2152.85 of the Revised Code that the delinquent child no longer is a tier II sex offender/child-victim offender but remains a juvenile offender registrant, the delinquent child’s duty to comply with those sections continues for the period of time that is applicable to the delinquent child under division (B)(3) of this section, based on the reclassification of the child pursuant to section 2152.84 or 2152.85 of the Revised Code as a tier I sex offender/child-victim offender.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the person is an offender who is a tier I sex offender/child-victim offender relative to the sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense, the offender’s duty to comply with those sections continues for fifteen years. Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the person is a delinquent child who is a tier I sex offender/child-victim offender relative to the sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense, the delinquent child’s duty to comply with those sections continues for ten years. Regarding a delinquent child who is a juvenile offender registrant and a tier I sex offender/child-victim offender but is not a public registry-qualified juvenile offender registrant, if the judge who made the disposition for the delinquent child or that judge’s successor in office subsequently enters a determination pursuant to section 2152.84 or 2152.85 of the Revised Code that the delinquent child no longer is to be classified a juvenile offender registrant, the delinquent child’s duty to comply with those sections terminates upon the court’s entry of the determination. A person who is an offender who is a tier I sex offender/child-victim offender may have the fifteen-year duty to register terminated only pursuant to section 2950.15 of the Revised Code.
Oklahoma
57 OK Stat § 57-583
D. When a person has been convicted or received probation within the State of Oklahoma, the person shall be required to register with the local law enforcement authority as follows:
1. For a total period of fifteen (15) years, if the level of the person is one;
2. For a total period of twenty-five (25) years, if the level of the person is two; and
3. For life, if the level of the person is three or the person has been classified as a habitual or aggravated sex offender.
The registration period shall begin from the date of completion of the sentence and shall not conclude until the offender has been in compliance for the total amount of time required by this act. The information received pursuant to the registration with the local law enforcement authority required by this section shall be maintained by such authority for at least ten (10) years from the date that the offender completed the obligations under this act.
E. Any person assigned a level of one who has been registered for a period of ten (10) years and who has not been arrested or convicted for any felony or misdemeanor offense since being released from confinement, may petition the district court in the jurisdiction where the person resides for the purpose of removing the level designation and allowing the person to no longer be subject to the registration requirements of the Sex Offenders Registration Act.
G. For the purpose of this section, the “date of the completion of the sentence” means the day an offender completes all incarceration, probation and parole pertaining to the sentence.
Oregon
If petitioning in court: ORS § 163A.120
(1)(a) No sooner than 10 years after termination of supervision on probation, conditional release, parole or post-prison supervision, a person required to report under ORS 163A.010, 163A.015 or 163A.020 may file a petition in circuit court for an order relieving the person of the duty to report. The person must pay the filing fee established under ORS 21.135. A petition may be filed under this section only if:
(A) The person has only one conviction for a sex crime;
(B) The sex crime was a misdemeanor or Class C felony or, if committed in another state, would have been a misdemeanor or Class C felony if committed in this state; and
(C) The person has not been determined to be a predatory sex offender prior to January 1, 2014.
If petitioning the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision: ORS § 163A.125
(1)(a) A person who is required to report as a sex offender under ORS 163A.010, 163A.015 or 163A.020 due to a conviction for a sex crime and is classified as a level one sex offender under ORS 163A.100 (1) may petition the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision to relieve the person from the obligation to report as a sex offender under ORS 163A.010, 163A.015 or 163A.020.
(b) A person who is required to report as a sex offender under ORS 163A.010, 163A.015 or 163A.020 due to being found guilty except for insanity under ORS 161.295 for a sex crime, and is classified as a level one sex offender under ORS 163A.100 (1), may petition the Psychiatric Security Review Board to relieve the person from the obligation to report as a sex offender under ORS 163A.010, 163A.015 or 163A.020.
(c) (A) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, a person described in paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection may file the petition no sooner than five years after the date supervision for the sex crime is terminated or, if the person was not subject to supervision for the sex crime, five years after the date the person was discharged from the jurisdiction of the court, Psychiatric Security Review Board or Oregon Health Authority.
(B) A person who was reclassified under subsection (2) of this section from a level two sex offender under ORS 163A.100 (2) to a level one sex offender under ORS 163A.100 (1) may file the petition no sooner than five years after the date of reclassification.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c) of this subsection, if a person is required to report because of a conviction or finding of guilty except for insanity from another United States court as that term is defined in ORS 163A.005, the person may not petition for relief from reporting as a sex offender in Oregon unless the laws of the jurisdiction where the person was convicted or found guilty except for insanity would permit a petition for relief from reporting as a sex offender.
Pennsylvania
Post 12/20/12 applies to those whose offense was committed on or after December 20, 2012.
Pre 12/20/12 applies to those whose offense was committed before December 20, 2012.
Post 12/20/12 42 Pa C.S. § 9799.15
(a) Subject to subsection (c), an individual specified in section 9799.13 (relating to applicability) shall register with the Pennsylvania State Police as follows:
(1) An individual convicted of a Tier I sexual offense, except an offense set forth in section 9799.14(b)(23) (relating to sexual offenses and tier system), shall register for a period of 15 years.
(2) An individual convicted of a Tier II sexual offense shall register for a period of 25 years.
(3) An individual convicted of a Tier III sexual offense shall register for the life of the individual.
(4) A juvenile offender who was adjudicated delinquent in this Commonwealth, or who was adjudicated delinquent in another jurisdiction or foreign country as a consequence of having committed an offense similar to an offense which would require the individual to register if the offense was committed in this Commonwealth, shall register for the life of the individual.
(4.1) A juvenile offender who is required to register in a sexual offender registry in another jurisdiction or foreign country as a consequence of having been adjudicated delinquent for an offense similar to an offense which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would not require the individual to register shall register for a period of time equal to that required of the individual in the other jurisdiction or foreign country.
(5) A sexually violent delinquent child shall register for the life of the individual.
(6) A sexually violent predator shall register for the life of the individual.
(7) An individual subject to registration under section 9799.13(7.1) shall register for the period of time equal to the time for which the individual was required to register in another jurisdiction or foreign country.
Pre 12/20/12 42 Pa C.S. § 9799.55
(a) Except as provided under subsection (a.1) or (b), the following individuals shall be required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police for a period of 10 years:
(1) (i) (A) Individuals convicted within this Commonwealth of any of the following offenses committed on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012:
18 Pa.C.S. § 2901 (relating to kidnapping) where the victim is a minor.
18 Pa.C.S. § 3126 (relating to indecent assault) where the offense is graded as a misdemeanor of the first degree or higher.
18 Pa.C.S. § 4302 (relating to incest) where the victim is 12 years of age or older but under 18 years of age.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) or (b.1) (relating to prostitution and related offenses) where the actor promotes the prostitution of a minor.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5903(a)(3), (4), (5) or (6) (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances) where the victim is a minor.
18 Pa.C.S. § 6312 (relating to sexual abuse of children).
18 Pa.C.S. § 6318 (relating to unlawful contact with minor).
18 Pa.C.S. § 6320 (relating to sexual exploitation of children).
(B) Individuals convicted within this Commonwealth of an offense set forth in clause (A) who were required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police under a former sexual offender registration law of this Commonwealth on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012, whose period of registration has not expired.
(ii) Individuals convicted within this Commonwealth of any of the following offenses committed on or after January 26, 2005, but before December 20, 2012:
18 Pa.C.S. § 2910 (relating to luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure).
18 Pa.C.S. § 3124.2 (relating to institutional sexual assault).
(2) Individuals convicted of an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit any of the offenses under paragraph (1)(i) or (ii) or subsection (b)(2).
(3) Individuals who currently have a residence in this Commonwealth who have been convicted of offenses similar to the crimes cited in paragraphs (1)(i) or (ii) and (2) under the laws of the United States or one of its territories or possessions, another state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a foreign nation or under a former law of this Commonwealth.
(a.1) Except as provided under subsection (b), an individual considered to be an offender under section 9799.56(b) (relating to registration procedures and applicability) shall be required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police for a period less than life, the duration of which is to be determined under sections 9799.54 (relating to applicability) and 9799.56(b).
(b) The following individuals shall be subject to lifetime registration:
(1) An individual with two or more convictions of any of the offenses set forth in subsection (a).
(2) Individuals convicted:
(i) (A) in this Commonwealth of the following offenses, if committed on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012:
18 Pa.C.S. § 3121 (relating to rape);
18 Pa.C.S. § 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse);
18 Pa.C.S. § 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault);
18 Pa.C.S. § 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault); or
18 Pa.C.S. § 4302 when the victim is under 12 years of age; or
(B) in this Commonwealth of offenses set forth in clause (A) who were required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police under a former sexual offender registration law of this Commonwealth on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012, whose period of registration has not expired; or
(ii) of offenses similar to the crimes cited in subparagraph (i) under the laws of the United States or one of its territories or possessions, another state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a foreign nation or under a former law of this Commonwealth, if committed, or for which registration with the Pennsylvania State Police under a former sexual offender registration law of this Commonwealth was required, on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012, who currently reside in this Commonwealth.
(3) Sexually violent predators.
(4) An individual who is considered to be a sexually violent predator under section 9799.56(b) or who is otherwise required to register for life under section 9799.56(b), if the sexual offense which is the basis for the consideration or requirement for which the individual was convicted was committed, or for which registration with the Pennsylvania State Police under a former sexual offender registration law of this Commonwealth was required, on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012.
Rhode Island
RI Gen L § 11-37.1-4
(a) Annual registration. Any person required to register under § 11-37.1-3(a)(1) or (2) shall annually register with the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the city or town in which the person having the duty to register resides for a period of ten (10) years from the expiration of sentence for the offense and shall verify his or her address with the agency on a quarterly basis for the first two (2) years of the period unless the person has been determined to be a sexually violent predator in accordance with § 11-37.1-6 or unless the person is required to register for the life of that person in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.
(b) Sexually violent predators. Any person who has been determined to be a sexually violent predator in accordance with the provisions of § 11-37.1-6 shall be required to annually register in person with the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the city or town in which the person having the duty to register resides for the life of that person and to verify his or her address on a quarterly basis for the life of that person.
(c) Recidivists and aggravated crime offenders. Any person required to register under § 11-37.1-3 and who has one or more prior convictions for any offense described in § 11-37.1-2 or has been convicted of an aggravated offense as defined in § 11-37.1-2 shall annually register in person with the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the city or town in which the person having the duty to register resides for the life of that person and to verify his or her address on a quarterly basis for the life of that person.
South Carolina
SC Code § 23-3-460
(A) A person required to register pursuant to this article is required to register biannually for life. For purposes of this article, “biannually” means each year during the month of his birthday and again during the sixth month following his birth month. The person required to register shall register and must reregister at the sheriff’s department in each county where he resides, owns real property, is employed, or attends any public or private school, including, but not limited to, a secondary school, adult education school, college or university, and any vocational, technical, or occupational school. A person determined by a court to be a sexually violent predator pursuant to state law is required to verify registration and be photographed every ninety days by the sheriff’s department in the county in which he resides unless the person is committed to the custody of the State, and verification will be held in abeyance until his release.
South Dakota
SDCL § 22-24B-2.1
The sex offender registry shall consist of three tiers as provided for in §§ 22-24B-19 to 22-24B-19.2, inclusive. Placement in Tier III requires registrants to register throughout their lifetime. Placement in Tier II requires registrants to register for a minimum of twenty-five years. Placement in Tier I requires registrants to register for a minimum of ten years.
Tennessee
TN Code § 40-39-207
(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (a)(3), unless a plea was taken in conjunction with § 40-35-313, no sooner than ten (10) years after termination of active supervision on probation, parole, or any other alternative to incarceration, or no sooner than ten (10) years after discharge from incarceration without supervision, an offender required to register under this part may file a request for termination of registration requirements with TBI headquarters in Nashville. If the person is required to register under this part due to a plea taken in conjunction with § 40-35-313, an offender required to register under this part may file a request for termination of registration upon successful completion of a term of judicial diversion pursuant to § 40-35-313 and upon receiving an order from a court of competent jurisdiction signifying the successful completion of the term of judicial diversion and the dismissal of charges pursuant to § 40-35-313.
(g) (2) An offender required to register under this part shall continue to comply with the registration, verification and tracking requirements for the life of that offender, if that offender:
(A) Has one (1) or more prior convictions for a sexual offense, as defined in § 40-39-202, regardless of when the conviction or convictions occurred;
(B) Has been convicted of a violent sexual offense, as defined in § 40-39-202; or
(C) Has been convicted of an offense in which the victim was a child of twelve (12) years of age or less.
Texas
TX Code Crim Pro Art. 62.101 EXPIRATION OF DUTY TO REGISTER.
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) and Subchapter I, the duty to register for a person ends when the person dies if the person has a reportable conviction or adjudication, other than an adjudication of delinquent conduct, for:
(1) a sexually violent offense;
(2) an offense under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8), 25.02, 43.05(a)(2), or 43.26, Penal Code;
(3) an offense under Section 20A.03, Penal Code, if based partly or wholly on conduct that constitutes an offense under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8) of that code;
(4) an offense under Section 21.11(a)(2), Penal Code, if before or after the person is convicted or adjudicated for the offense under Section 21.11(a)(2), Penal Code, the person receives or has received another reportable conviction or adjudication, other than an adjudication of delinquent conduct, for an offense or conduct that requires registration under this chapter;
(5) an offense under Section 20.02, 20.03, or 20.04, Penal Code, if:
(A) the judgment in the case contains an affirmative finding under Article 42.015 or, for a deferred adjudication, the papers in the case contain an affirmative finding that the victim or intended victim was younger than 17 years of age; and
(B) before or after the person is convicted or adjudicated for the offense under Section 20.02, 20.03, or 20.04, Penal Code, the person receives or has received another reportable conviction or adjudication, other than an adjudication of delinquent conduct, for an offense or conduct that requires registration under this chapter; or
(6) an offense under Section 43.23, Penal Code, that is punishable under Subsection (h) of that section.
(b) Except as provided by Subchapter I, the duty to register for a person otherwise subject to Subsection (a) ends on the 10th anniversary of the date on which the person is released from a penal institution or discharges community supervision or the court dismisses the criminal proceedings against the person and discharges the person, whichever date is later, if the person’s duty to register is based on a conviction or an order of deferred adjudication in a cause that was transferred to a district court or criminal district court under Section 54.02, Family Code.
(c) Except as provided by Subchapter I, the duty to register for a person with a reportable conviction or adjudication for an offense other than an offense described by Subsection (a) ends:
(1) if the person’s duty to register is based on an adjudication of delinquent conduct, on the 10th anniversary of the date on which the disposition is made or the person completes the terms of the disposition, whichever date is later; or
(2) if the person’s duty to register is based on a conviction or on an order of deferred adjudication, on the 10th anniversary of the date on which the court dismisses the criminal proceedings against the person and discharges the person, the person is released from a penal institution, or the person discharges community supervision, whichever date is later.
Utah
UT Code § 77-41-105
(3) (a) Except as provided in Subsections (3)(b), (c), and (4), an offender shall, for the duration of the sentence and for 10 years after termination of sentence or custody of the division, register each year during the month of the offender’s date of birth, during the month that is the sixth month after the offender’s birth month, and within three business days after the day on which there is a change of the offender’s primary residence, any secondary residences, place of employment, vehicle information, or educational information required to be submitted under Subsection (7).
(c) (i) An offender convicted as an adult of an offense listed in Section 77-41-106 shall, for the offender’s lifetime, register each year during the month of the offender’s birth, during the month that is the sixth month after the offender’s birth month, and also within three business days after the day on which there is a change of the offender’s primary residence, any secondary residences, place of employment, vehicle information, or educational information required to be submitted under Subsection (7).
Vermont
As of July 1st, 2015, registration periods for Vermont convictions are determined by the courts.
–Vermont Crime Information Center
For convictions prior to July 1st, 2015:
13 V.S.A § 5407
(e) Except as provided for in subsection (f) of this section, a person required to register as a sex offender under this subchapter shall continue to comply with this section, except during periods of incarceration, until 10 years have elapsed since the person was released from prison or discharged from parole, supervised release, or probation, whichever is later. The 10-year period shall not be affected or reduced in any way by the actual duration of the offender’s sentence as imposed by the court, nor shall it be reduced by the sex offender’s release on parole or ending of probation or other early release.
(f) A person required to register as a sex offender under this subchapter shall continue to comply with this section for the life of that person, except during periods of incarceration, if that person:
(1) has at least one prior conviction for an offense described in subdivision 5401(10) of this subchapter or a comparable offense in another jurisdiction of the United States;
(2) has been convicted of a sexual assault as defined in section 3252 of this title or aggravated sexual assault as defined in section 3253 of this title, or a comparable offense in another jurisdiction of the United States, including a state, territory, commonwealth, the District of Columbia, or military, federal, or tribal court; however, if a person convicted under section 3252 is not more than six years older than the victim of the assault and if the victim is 14 years of age or older, then the offender shall not be required to register for life if the age of the victim was the basis for the conviction;
(3) has been determined to be a sexually violent predator pursuant to section 5405 of this title; or
(4) has been designated as a noncompliant high-risk sex offender pursuant to section 5411d of this title.
Virginia
VA Code § 9.1-910
A. Any person required to register, other than a person who has been convicted of any (i) Tier III offense, (ii) two or more offenses for which registration is required, (iii) a violation of former § 18.2-67.2:1, or (iv) murder, may petition the circuit court in which he was convicted or the circuit court in the jurisdiction where he then resides for removal of his name and all identifying information from the Registry. A person who is required to register for a single Tier I offense may petition the court no earlier than 15 years from the later of the date of initial registration or the date of his last conviction for (a) a violation of § 18.2-472.1 or (b) any felony. A person who is required to register for a single Tier II offense may petition the court no earlier than 25 years from the later of the date of initial registration or the date of his last conviction for (1) a violation of § 18.2-472.1 or (2) any felony.
Washington
RCW § 9A.44.140
(1) For a person convicted in this state of a class A felony, or a person convicted of any sex offense or kidnapping offense who has one or more prior convictions for a sex offense or kidnapping offense, the duty to register shall continue indefinitely.
(2) For a person convicted in this state of a class B felony who does not have one or more prior convictions for a sex offense or kidnapping offense, the duty to register shall end fifteen years after the last date of release from confinement, if any, (including full-time residential treatment) pursuant to the conviction, or entry of the judgment and sentence, if the person has spent fifteen consecutive years in the community without being convicted of a disqualifying offense during that time period.
(3) For a person convicted in this state of a class C felony, a violation of RCW 9.68A.090 or 9A.44.096, or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit a class C felony, and the person does not have one or more prior convictions for a sex offense or kidnapping offense, the duty to register shall end ten years after the last date of release from confinement, if any, (including full-time residential treatment) pursuant to the conviction, or entry of the judgment and sentence, if the person has spent ten consecutive years in the community without being convicted of a disqualifying offense during that time period.
(4) Except as provided in RCW 9A.44.142, for a person required to register for a federal, tribal, or out-of-state conviction, the duty to register shall continue indefinitely.
(5) For a person who is or has been determined to be a sexually violent predator pursuant to chapter 71.09 RCW, the duty to register shall continue for the person’s lifetime.
(6) Nothing in this section prevents a person from being relieved of the duty to register under RCW 9A.44.142, 9A.44.143, and 13.40.162.
RCW § 9A.44.142
(1) A person who is required to register under RCW 9A.44.130 may petition the superior court to be relieved of the duty to register:
(a) If the person has a duty to register for a sex offense or kidnapping offense committed when the offender was a juvenile, regardless of whether the conviction was in this state, as provided in RCW 9A.44.143;
(b) If the person is required to register for a conviction in this state and is not prohibited from petitioning for relief from registration under subsection (2) of this section, when the person has spent ten consecutive years in the community without being convicted of a disqualifying offense during that time period; or
(c) If the person is required to register for a federal, tribal, or out-of-state conviction, when the person has spent fifteen consecutive years in the community without being convicted of a disqualifying offense during that time period.
(2) (a) A person may not petition for relief from registration if the person has been:
(i) Determined to be a sexually violent predator pursuant to chapter 71.09 RCW; or
(ii) Convicted as an adult of a sex offense or kidnapping offense that is a class A felony and that was committed with forcible compulsion on or after June 8, 2000.
(b) Any person who may not be relieved of the duty to register may petition the court to be exempted from any community notification requirements that the person may be subject to fifteen years after the later of the entry of the judgment and sentence or the last date of release from confinement, including full-time residential treatment, pursuant to the conviction, if the person has spent the time in the community without being convicted of a disqualifying offense.
West Virginia
WV Code § 15-12-4
(a) A person required to register under the terms of this article shall continue to comply with this section, except during ensuing periods of incarceration or confinement, until:
(1) Ten years have elapsed since the person was released from prison, jail, or a mental health facility or 10 years have elapsed since the person was placed on probation, parole, or supervised or conditional release. The 10-year registration period may not be reduced by the sex offender’s release from probation, parole, or supervised or conditional release; or
(2) For the life of that person, if that person: (A) Has one or more prior convictions or has previously been found not guilty by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, or addiction for any qualifying offense referred to in this article; (B) has been convicted or has been found not guilty by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, or addiction of a qualifying offense as referred to in this article, and upon motion of the prosecuting attorney, the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the qualifying offense involved multiple victims or multiple violations of the qualifying offense; (C) has been convicted or has been found not guilty by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, or addiction of a sexually violent offense; (D) has been determined pursuant to §15-12-2a of this code to be a sexually violent predator; or (E) has been convicted or has been found not guilty by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, or addiction of a qualifying offense as referred to in this article, involving a minor or a person believed or perceived by the registrant to be a minor.
Wisconsin
Registration time frame is determined by conviction and sentencing. Registration terms are 15 years after conviction date if not sentenced to supervision or incarceration, 15 years after discharge date if sentenced to incarceration or supervision, or lifetime. Registrants convicted of multiple registrable offenses may require lifetime registration.
– Wisconsin Department of Corrections SOR
Refer to WI Stat § 301.45 (5) and (5m) for details.
Wyoming
WY Stat § 7-19-304
(a) The duty to register under W.S. 7-19-302 shall begin on the date of sentencing and continue for the duration of the offender’s life, subject to the following:
(i) An offender specified in W.S. 7-19-302(g) or adjudicated as a delinquent for offenses specified in W.S. 7-19-302(j), who has been registered for at least ten (10) years, exclusive of periods of confinement and periods in which the offender was not registered as required by law, may petition the district court for the district in which the offender is registered to be relieved of the duty to continue to register if the offender has maintained a clean record as provided in subsection (d) of this section. Upon a showing that the offender has maintained a clean record as provided in subsection (d) of this section for ten (10) years, the district court may order the offender relieved of the duty to continue registration;
(ii) An offender specified in W.S. 7-19-302(h) who has been registered for at least twenty-five (25) years, exclusive of periods of confinement and periods in which the offender was not registered as required by law, may petition the district court for the district in which the offender is registered to be relieved of the duty to continue to register if the offender has maintained a clean record as provided in subsection (d) of this section. Upon a showing that the offender has maintained a clean record as provided in subsection (d) of this section for twenty-five (25) years, the district court may order the offender relieved of the duty to continue registration;
(d) An offender seeking a reduction in his registration period as provided in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) of this section shall demonstrate to the court that he has maintained a clean record by:
(i) Having no conviction of any offense for which imprisonment for more than one (1) year may be imposed;
(ii) Having no conviction of any sex offense;
(iii) Successfully completing any periods of supervised release, probation and parole; and
(iv) Successfully completing any sex offender treatment previously ordered by the trial court or by his probation or parole agent.
Washington DC
DC Code § 22-4002
(a) Except as set forth in subsection (b) of this section, the registration period shall start when a disposition described in § 22-4001(3)(A) occurs and continue until the expiration of any time being served on probation, parole, supervised release, conditional release, or convalescent leave, or 10 years after the sex offender is placed on probation, parole, supervised release, conditional release, or convalescent leave, or is unconditionally released from a correctional facility, prison, hospital or other place of confinement, whichever is latest, except that:
(1) The Agency may give a sex offender credit for the time the sex offender was registered in another jurisdiction;
(2) The Agency may deny a sex offender credit for any time in which the sex offender is detained, incarcerated, confined, civilly committed, or hospitalized and for any time in which a sex offender was registered prior to a revocation of probation, parole, supervised release, conditional release, or convalescent leave; and
(3) The registration period is tolled for any time the sex offender fails to register or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(b) The registration period shall start when a disposition described in § 22-4001(3)(A) occurs and continue throughout the lifetime of a sex offender who:
(1) Committed a registration offense that is a lifetime registration offense;
(2) Was determined to be a sexual psychopath under §§ 22-3803 through 22-3811;
(3) Has been subject on 2 or more occasions to a disposition described in § 22-4001(3)(A) that involved a felony registration offense or a registration offense against a minor; or
(4) Has been subject to 2 or more dispositions described in § 22-4001(3)(A), relating to different victims, each of which involved a felony registration offense or a registration offense against a minor.
Guam
Title 9 GCA § 89.04
A registrant shall continue to comply with this Chapter, except during ensuing periods of incarceration, for the following period of time:
(a) Lifetime; Level One and Level Two Offenders. A Level One Offender or Level Two Offender must comply with this Chapter for the length of that person’s life.
(b) Fifteen (15) Years; Level Three Offenders. A Level Three Offender must comply with this Chapter for a period of fifteen (15) years from the date of that person’s initial registration.
Northern Mariana Islands
6 CMC §1371
(a) Appearance. A sex offender who is required to register as a resident, employee, or student with the SORA-Office/DPS shall, at a minimum, appear in person at the SORA-Office/DPS for purposes of verifying and keeping the registration information and photograph (if needed) current in accordance with the following time frames:
(1) For “Tier 1” offenders, once every year for 15 years from the date of sentencing or if incarcerated from the date of release,
(2) For “Tier 2” offenders, once every 180 days (6 months) for 25 years from the date of sentencing or if incarcerated from the date of release,
(3) For “Tier 3” offenders, once every 90 days (3 months) for the rest of their lives.
(c) Reduction of Registration Periods. A sex offender may have their period of registration reduced as follows:
(1) Tier 1 offenders may have their period of registration and verification reduced by 5 years if they have maintained a clean record for 10 consecutive years.
(2) Tier 3 offenders may have their period of registration and verification reduced to 25 years if they were adjudicated delinquent of an offense as a juvenile which required Tier 3 registration and they have maintained a clean record for 25 consecutive years.
Puerto Rico
L.P.R.A. § 536c.
A sex offender shall keep the registration current and meet the requirements established in §§ 536—536h of this title for the following registration periods:
(a) Fifteen (15) years, if the offender is a Tier I Sex Offender;
(b) twenty-five (25) years, if the offender is a Tier II Sex Offender, and
(c) the life of the offender, if the offender is a Tier III Sex Offender.
The terms herein provided shall start to count as of the sex offender’s release from prison after having served the sentence of imprisonment imposed, and the Corrections Administration notifies the registration of the offender in the Registry. In the case of release on parole or probation, or admittance to a diversion, treatment or rehabilitation program, the registration period shall start to count from the time a sentence, resolution, or determination is issued to participate in such programs and notice of registration is served.
A Tier I Sex Offender shall be eliminated from the Registry before the fifteen (15)-year term mentioned above has elapsed should the offender maintain a clean record for a ten (10)-year term. The court shall state in its order or resolution if the information may be kept sealed or confidential for recidivism purposes.
U.S. Virgin Islands
14 V.I.C. § 1724
(d) A sex offender who is required to register shall, at a minimum, appear in person at the Department of Justice for the purposes of verification and keeping their registration current in accordance with the following time frames:
(1) For “Tier 1” offenders, once every year for 15 years from the time of release from custody for a sex offender who is incarcerated for the registration offense or from the date of sentencing for a sex offender who is not incarcerated for the registration offense.
(2) For a “Tier 2” offenders, once every 180 days for 25 years from the time of release from custody for a sex offender who is incarcerated for the registration offense or from the date of sentencing for a sex offender who is not incarcerated for the registration offense.
(3) For “Tier 3” offenders, once every 90 days for the rest of their lives.
(e) A sex offender may have their period of registration reduced as follows:
(1) A “Tier 1” sex offender may have his or her period of registration reduced to 10 years only after he or she has maintained a clean record for 10 consecutive years and the Sex Offender Registry Board has made a favorable determination regarding the risk of re-offense and the degree of dangerousness the sex offender poses to the community.
(2) A “Tier 3” sex offender may have his or her period of registration reduced to 25 years only if he or she was adjudicated delinquent of an offense as a juvenile that required Tier 3 registration and he or she has maintained a clean record for 25 consecutive years and the Sex Offender Registry Board has made a favorable determination regarding the risk of re-offense and the degree of dangerousness the sex offender poses to the community.
Some states offer the possibility for registrants to be removed from the registry after meeting certain requirements. Visit the Collateral Consequences Resource Center for a state by state comparison of relief from sex offender registration obligations.
If your state offers a path off the registry, search our directory for a lawyer with experience in registry removal applications.