What Is Megan’s Law in California? 2026 Updates
Megan’s Law California requires convicted sex offenders to register with local law enforcement and makes their information publicly accessible through the California Department of Justice’s online registry. California Penal Code Section 290 mandates lifetime or tiered registration depending on offense severity, creating one of the nation’s most comprehensive sex offender tracking systems.
Why This Matters to You
You’re checking if your neighborhood is safe. You’re researching before buying a home or renting an apartment. You need to know who lives near your children’s school or daycare.
Here’s the truth: California’s Megan’s Law gives you direct access to information about registered sex offenders in your community. The state maintains over 100,000 registered offenders in its database, and California Megan’s Law requirements ensure this information stays current and accessible.
Whether you’re a parent, homeowner, renter, or concerned citizen, understanding how to check the sex offender registry California maintains can help you make informed decisions about community safety. Let’s break this down.
What You Came to Know
What Is Megan’s Law?
Megan’s Law originated from the 1994 federal legislation named after Megan Kanka, a seven-year-old girl murdered by a known sex offender. The law requires states to create public sex offender registries and notify communities about registered offenders living nearby.
California adopted its version in 1996, codified under California Penal Code Section 290. The law serves two purposes: tracking sex offenders after release from custody and giving the public tools to protect themselves.
Bottom line: Megan’s Law bridges the gap between public safety and your right to know who lives in your community.
California’s Megan’s Law Requirements
California’s implementation under PC 290 requires anyone convicted of specific sex crimes to register as a sex offender. This includes crimes like sexual assault, child molestation, rape, lewd acts with a minor, and possession of child pornography.
Offenders must register within five working days of release from custody, moving to California, or changing addresses. They provide personal information including their name, address, physical description, photograph, vehicle information, employment details, and offense specifics.
California uses a three-tier classification system implemented in January 2021:
- Tier 1: Minimum 10-year registration requirement
- Tier 2: Minimum 20-year registration requirement
- Tier 3: Lifetime registration requirement
Most sites won’t tell you this, but California’s registry is more extensive than many states because it includes offenders convicted before the tier system existed, many of whom remain subject to lifetime registration under previous laws.
How California’s Sex Offender Registry Works
The California Department of Justice maintains the official Megan’s Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov. You can search the registry three ways:
- By name: Search for specific individuals
- By address: Enter your street address to find offenders within a radius
- By zip code: View all registered offenders in a postal area
The public registry displays an offender’s photograph, full name, known aliases, physical description, address (down to the block level for most offenders), conviction details, and registration tier. For certain high-risk offenders, exact addresses appear.
Law enforcement agencies receive additional non-public information including exact addresses for all offenders, employer details, vehicle registration, and identifying marks like tattoos or scars. This information helps track offenders and investigate crimes.
PRO TIP: When searching by address, use multiple searches with different radius settings. A registered offender living just outside your initial search area might appear when you expand the radius. The registry updates as offenders register, but checking monthly ensures you have current information, especially in neighborhoods with high turnover.
How Long Does Megan’s Law Registration Last California?
Registration duration depends on your tier classification and conviction date:
Tier 1 offenders register for a minimum of 10 years. They can petition for removal after 10 years if they maintain clean records and meet specific requirements.
Tier 2 offenders register for a minimum of 20 years. They can petition for removal after 20 years under similar conditions.
Tier 3 offenders register for life with no removal option. This includes aggravated sexual assault, crimes against multiple victims, and repeat offenses.
Offenders must re-register annually within five working days of their birthday. Some Tier 3 offenders and sexually violent predators must register every 90 days.
Here’s what that actually means for you: An offender who moves into your neighborhood must register immediately, triggering a registry update you can see when you search. This keeps the information current.
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What Residents Need to Know About Using the Registry
You can use California’s sex offender registry to check your neighborhood before moving, monitor areas near your children’s activities, and stay informed about offenders in your community. The registry is free and accessible 24/7.
The registry doesn’t include juvenile offenders adjudicated in juvenile court, offenders whose convictions were expunged or sealed, or individuals not convicted of registerable offenses. Not every sex crime triggers registration requirements.
You cannot use registry information to harass, threaten, or discriminate against registered offenders. California law specifically prohibits using this information to commit crimes or violate offenders’ rights. Violators face misdemeanor charges.
For more detailed information about how to check your neighborhood for registered offenders, our related guide walks you through the search process step-by-step.
What You Must Know
Megan’s Law California Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to register as a sex offender constitutes a felony in California. Offenders who don’t register within required timeframes face 16 months to three years in state prison.
Providing false information during registration also constitutes a felony. Offenders who lie about their address, employment, or other required details face additional criminal charges.
These penalties exist because sex offender registration laws only work when information stays accurate and current. Law enforcement relies on this data to monitor offenders and investigate crimes.
What Information Is Public Megan’s Law California?
The public registry includes names, photographs, addresses (block-level or exact depending on risk), physical descriptions, conviction details, and registration status. You see what offense they committed, when, and their current tier classification.
The registry doesn’t display Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, exact employer addresses for most offenders, or information about victims. Law enforcement accesses this non-public information through separate secure databases.
Transient offenders without fixed addresses must still register and report their general location. The registry identifies them as transient and lists their general area of residence.
Recent Changes to California’s Megan’s Law
California transitioned to the tier system in January 2021, replacing automatic lifetime registration for many offenders. This change came from Senate Bill 384, which aimed to align California with federal standards and reduce the registry’s size.
Last year, the California Attorney General’s office updated the registry’s search interface to improve mobile accessibility and add mapping features. These changes make it easier to visualize where registered offenders live relative to your location.
The registry continues evolving as courts interpret the tier system’s application to offenders convicted before 2021. Some offenders are petitioning for tier reclassification, which may affect who appears in the registry and for how long.
What to Do Next
Search the California Sex Offender Registry
Visit the official California Department of Justice Megan’s Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov. Enter your address, your child’s school address, or any location you want to check.
Review the results carefully. Note each offender’s address, conviction details, and tier classification. Screenshot or save results for your records.
Set a reminder to check monthly, especially if you’re concerned about a specific area. Registration changes occur continuously as offenders move or update their information.
Verify Information and Report Concerns
If you believe registry information is inaccurate or an offender isn’t complying with registration requirements, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. They handle sex offender violation reports and investigation.
For questions about specific offenders or community concerns, reach out to your local police department or sheriff’s office. They can provide additional context about offenders in your area and address safety concerns.
You can also contact the California Attorney General’s office for official information about the law itself and how it’s enforced statewide.
Understand Your Rights Under Megan’s Law
You have the right to access registry information and use it to make informed decisions about your safety and your family’s safety. You can check the registry before moving, look up addresses near schools or parks, and monitor your neighborhood.
You don’t have the right to harass, threaten, or discriminate against registered offenders based solely on their registry status. This includes spreading false information, organizing protests at their homes, or interfering with their employment.
Understanding your rights under Megan’s Law helps you use the registry effectively while respecting legal boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access the California sex offender registry?
Visit meganslaw.ca.gov and search by name, address, or zip code. The registry is free and doesn’t require registration or login. You can search as many times as needed.
Who must register under Megan’s Law California?
Anyone convicted of specific sex offenses under California law must register. This includes sexual assault, child molestation, rape, statutory rape, indecent exposure with prior convictions, and possession or distribution of child pornography. Courts can also order registration for certain other offenses.
How often do sex offenders update their registration?
Most offenders register annually within five days of their birthday. Tier 3 offenders and sexually violent predators register every 90 days. Offenders must also update registration within five working days of moving or changing employment.
Can registered sex offenders be removed from the registry?
Tier 1 offenders can petition for removal after 10 years. Tier 2 offenders can petition after 20 years. Tier 3 offenders remain registered for life with no removal option. Successful petitions require meeting strict requirements including no new offenses.
What happens when someone fails to register as a sex offender?
Failure to register is a felony punishable by 16 months to three years in state prison. Law enforcement actively pursues offenders who don’t comply. For more details, see what happens when someone fails to register as a sex offender.
Are juvenile offenders included in California’s registry?
Juveniles adjudicated in juvenile court generally don’t appear in the public registry. However, juveniles tried and convicted as adults must register and appear in the public database like adult offenders.
Does California notify residents when offenders move nearby?
California doesn’t automatically notify residents when offenders move into neighborhoods. You must proactively search the registry to find offenders near your address. Some local law enforcement agencies offer voluntary email alerts for specific areas, but this varies by jurisdiction.
Final Disclaimer: This article provides general information about California’s Megan’s Law and sex offender registration requirements for educational purposes only. Megan’s Law and registry information change regularly and should be verified directly with the California Department of Justice at meganslaw.ca.gov. Sex offender registration laws involve complex legal requirements that vary by offense, conviction date, and individual circumstances. AllAboutLawyer.com is not affiliated with the California Department of Justice, does not provide legal services, and cannot verify the accuracy of registry information. For specific legal questions about Megan’s Law, sex offender registration, or your rights and obligations, consult the official California Department of Justice Megan’s Law website or speak with a qualified attorney familiar with California sex offense laws.
Ready to learn more about California’s sex offense laws? Check out our comprehensive guide on sex offender notification laws by state to understand how California compares to other jurisdictions.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
Last Updated: January 14, 2026 — We keep this current with the latest legal developments
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about California’s Megan’s Law and sex offender registration requirements, not legal advice. For specific situations, contact the California Department of Justice or consult with an attorney.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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