The SOLAR Project - Sex Offender Legal Advocacy & Reform
📍 STATE GUIDE

Alabama — Registry Rules

Official-source summary for Alabama.

10/17/2025

Key Highlights

  • Residency Restrictions: No living within 2,000 ft of a school, childcare facility, or the residence of a former victim or their immediate family, with limited exceptions; see § 15-20A-11.
  • Presence / Proximity Rules: Loitering within 500 ft of child-focused places is prohibited; prior written notice and approval required for entry onto K-12 property; see § 15-20A-17.
  • Duration of Registration: Registration is for life, with in-person verification during the birth month and every three months thereafter unless court relief applies; see § 15-20A-10(f).
  • Tiering / Level System: Alabama uses no SORNA-style tiers—a single lifetime scheme governs, with narrow juvenile exceptions; see § 15-20A-10.

At a Glance

  • Who: People with qualifying convictions (including some juveniles/youthful offenders) under the Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act; see § 15-20A-5.
  • Initial deadline: Deadline: Immediately upon release or conviction if not incarcerated; also immediately upon entering Alabama to live, work, volunteer, or attend school; see § 15-20A-10(a) and § 15-20A-14(a).
  • Verification: Verification: In person during the registrant’s birth month and every three months thereafter for life; see § 15-20A-10(f).
  • Primary method: Method: In person at local law enforcement in each county of residence (and where employed/volunteering/school as applicable). ALEA maintains the centralized registry; see ALEA Registry.
  • ⚠️ Quarterly in-person verification tied to your birth month—missing it is chargeable; see § 15-20A-10(f).
  • ⚠️ Strict 2,000-ft residence rules and other location bans; see § 15-20A-11.
  • ⚠️ Employment/volunteer bans near schools/childcare and some 500-ft child-focused places; see § 15-20A-13.
  • ⚠️ Must obtain an ALEA ID or driver license with sex-offender designation; see § 15-20A-18 and ALEA ID guidance.
  • ⚠️ Quarterly $10 fee per registering agency (city/county); see § 15-20A-22.
  • ⚠️ Some first convictions (e.g., indecent exposure/sexual misconduct) and many juveniles/youthful offenders are not posted on the public site; see ALEA FAQ.

Official Links

What this means in practice

  • Alabama’s law is strict: in-person registration and quarterly verification for life.
  • ALEA runs the central registry, but you must report to each local agency where you live (and often where you work or go to school).
  • Public posting exists but has carve-outs (e.g., some first-time misdemeanors, many juveniles).

Watch-outs

  • Your birth-month sets your verification cycle—missing it risks a felony.
  • Residency and employment distance bans are aggressively enforced.
  • You must get an ALEA ID/driver license with designation quickly after registering.

Validated against § 15-20A-10(f), § 15-20A-11, § 15-20A-13, and ALEA guidance at alea.gov.

Reviewed 10/17/2025

Who Must Register & Duration

Scope: Individuals convicted/adjudicated of listed “sex offenses,” including Alabama and equivalent out-of-state/federal offenses; see § 15-20A-5. Youthful offenders and some juveniles may be treated as juveniles or adults per § 15-20A-35, with specialized juvenile provisions in §§ 15-20A-26–34.

Duration: Registration is for life, with in-person verification during the birth month and every three months thereafter unless court relief applies; see § 15-20A-10(f).

What this means in practice

  • Anyone with a listed Alabama conviction or an equivalent out-of-state/federal conviction.
  • Juveniles/youthful offenders have special rules and may or may not be publicly posted.

Watch-outs

  • Out-of-state movers must register immediately upon entry if living, working, volunteering, or attending school.

See definitional scope in § 15-20A-5 and juvenile/youthful provisions §§ 15-20A-26–35.

Deadlines & Reporting Triggers

  • Initial: Immediately upon release/conviction to register in person with local law enforcement; see § 15-20A-10(a).
  • Entering Alabama: Immediately register if establishing residence, or upon entering to work/volunteer/attend school; see § 15-20A-14.
  • Changes: Immediately report in person any change to required info (name, residence, employment, school); see § 15-20A-10(d)–(e).
  • Quarterly: Verify during birth month and every three months thereafter for life; see § 15-20A-10(f).
  • ID: Obtain ALEA-issued driver license/ID with designation within 14 days of initial registration; see § 15-20A-18(b) and ALEA page.
  • Travel: Complete travel notice before leaving county for ≥3 days (and 21 days before international travel) and upon return; see § 15-20A-15(b)–(c) and ALEA travel form.

What this means in practice

  • Register immediately after release/conviction.
  • Then verify in person every three months (birth month + every three months).
  • Report immediately any changes (residence, name, employment, school, online IDs).
  • File travel notice before trips (≥3 days), and 21-day notice for international travel.

Watch-outs

  • If you vacate residence for 3 consecutive days without prior notice, it counts as a transfer.
  • Multiple counties may require separate in-person actions if you live/work/school across county lines.

Cross-checked with § 15-20A-10(a),(e)–(f), § 15-20A-14, and travel rules in § 15-20A-15.

Verification & In-Person Requirements

  • Required: Appear in person to register and to verify quarterly; see § 15-20A-10(a), (f).
  • Multiple jurisdictions: If you live in one county but work/volunteer/attend school in another, you must register in each relevant county; see § 15-20A-10(a)(1).
  • Admin processing: Local agencies must promptly transmit data to ALEA per rule 760-X-3-.01/.03.

What this means in practice

  • In-person every quarter for life in your birth month cycle.
  • Appear in each county where you must register.

Watch-outs

  • Bring ID; expect photos/fingerprints and updates to be transmitted to ALEA.
  • Keep dated receipts from each visit.

See § 15-20A-10(f) and ALEA rule 760-X-3-.01.

Residency, Presence, & Loitering Restrictions

Residence rules: No residence within 2,000 ft of a school/childcare/camp, or of a former victim’s residence (with limited statutory exemptions/relief); see § 15-20A-11(a)–(b). Vacating a residence for 3 consecutive days without prior notice counts as a transfer/termination that must be reported; see § 15-20A-10(e)(2).

What this means in practice

  • No residence within 2,000 ft of schools/childcare/camps and of a former victim’s residence (with statutory exceptions/relief).

Watch-outs

  • Moves, even temporary, can trigger immediate reporting.
  • Homeless registrants have special rules and should confirm local procedures.

Based on § 15-20A-11 and transfer/vacate rule in § 15-20A-10(e)(2).

Employment, Education, & Internet Use

  • Employment bans: No employment/volunteering at schools/childcare; 2,000-ft buffer; and for child-victim cases, added 500-ft bans near playgrounds/parks/child-focused facilities; see § 15-20A-13(b)–(c).
  • Internet identifiers: Required registration info includes online identifiers (emails/usernames) managed under § 15-20A-7 and ALEA rules 760-X-3-.03.
  • ID requirement: Must carry ALEA-designated license/ID; see § 15-20A-18 and ALEA.

What this means in practice

  • Bans on working/volunteering at or near child-focused places (2,000 ft; some 500-ft zones).
  • Online identifiers (emails/usernames) are part of required registration info.

Watch-outs

  • Property/use changes after hiring do not automatically create a violation, but confirm details.
  • Future bills may expand employment bans (first-responder roles).

See § 15-20A-13; identifiers in § 15-20A-7; pending bill SB 15 (2025).

Public Website Exposure

  • Public posting: Community notification and public website governed by § 15-20A-21 and § 15-20A-8.
  • Not always posted: First convictions for indecent exposure or sexual misconduct, many juveniles (unless high-risk), and some youthful offenders are not posted; see ALEA FAQ.

What this means in practice

  • ALEA operates a public website and mailed/hand-delivered community notifications.
  • Some offenses and many juveniles/youthful offenders are not publicly listed.

Watch-outs

  • Even if not posted, all registration/verification duties still apply.

See § 15-20A-8/-21 and ALEA FAQ at alea.gov.

Travel & Relocation (Interstate Moves)

  • Entering Alabama: Register immediately upon establishing residence or entering to work/volunteer/attend school; see § 15-20A-14(a)–(b).
  • Leaving/away travel: Report in person before leaving county for ≥3 days; complete ALEA travel document; see § 15-20A-15(b) and ALEA form.
  • International travel: Provide 21-day advance notice (with emergency exception); see § 15-20A-15(c).

What this means in practice

  • Entering Alabama to live/work/volunteer/school requires immediate in-person registration.
  • Leaving your county for ≥3 days requires pre-travel notice; international trips need 21-day notice.

Watch-outs

  • Use the official ALEA travel form and keep copies.
  • Other states may impose separate notice windows—check both sides.

See § 15-20A-14 and travel duties in § 15-20A-15(b)–(c), plus the ALEA form.

Visiting or Traveling in the State

  • Short stays: Any plan to be away from your registered residence ≥3 days triggers travel notice/permit steps; see § 15-20A-15(b).
  • Return duties: Report completion/return per local procedures; see § 15-20A-15.

What this means in practice

  • Short trips that total 3+ days away from home still need notice/permit steps.
  • Report return per local directions.

Watch-outs

  • Emergencies shorten timelines—contact the sheriff immediately before departure.

See § 15-20A-15.

Compliance & Enforcement

Penalties & enforcement: Knowingly failing to register/verify or otherwise violating Chapter 20A is criminal (often a Class C felony) with a mandatory $250 assessment; see § 15-20A-37(e) and § 15-20A-45(a). Absconding triggers warrants and multi-agency alerts; see § 15-20A-37.

What this means in practice

  • Violations (failure to register/verify, etc.) can be a Class C felony.
  • A $250 assessment applies to Chapter 20A offenses.

Watch-outs

  • Absconding triggers a warrant and multi-agency alerts.
  • Courts rarely waive assessments; plan payments.

Enforcement in § 15-20A-37 and assessment in § 15-20A-45.

Relief Paths

  • Residency relief: Petition for relief from residence restriction; criteria and process in § 15-20A-23.
  • Registration/notification relief: Limited relief by court order; see § 15-20A-24.
  • Employment restriction relief: Petition process in § 15-20A-25.

What this means in practice

  • You can petition for residency relief.
  • Some can petition for registration/notification relief.
  • Employment-restriction relief is also available.

Watch-outs

  • Relief is discretionary and eligibility is narrow; courts weigh risk and compliance.
  • Juvenile pathways differ from adult pathways.

Relief statutes: § 15-20A-23, § 15-20A-24, § 15-20A-25.

Special Populations

  • Juveniles: Treatment, risk assessment, notification, and possible lifetime duties governed by §§ 15-20A-26–34.
  • Youthful offenders: Court may treat as juvenile/adult per § 15-20A-35.
  • Homeless: Special registration/verification rules; see § 15-20A-12.
  • School entry/loitering: Strict rules for presence on K-12 property and loitering near child-focused locations; see § 15-20A-17.

What this means in practice

  • Juveniles and youthful offenders have specialized rules, with some shielding from public posting and tailored relief.
  • Homeless registration is addressed separately and requires tight compliance.

Watch-outs

  • Risk assessments and court findings can change obligations.
  • Public posting rules differ from registration duties.

See juvenile/youthful framework §§ 15-20A-26–35 and homeless rules in § 15-20A-12.

Costs & Payments

  • $10 per quarter to each registering agency where you reside (and again when establishing a new residence); see § 15-20A-22(a)–(b).
  • Mandatory $250 assessment upon conviction of an offense under Chapter 20A; see § 15-20A-45(a).

Recent Changes & Litigation

  • Rule: Ala. Admin. Code 760-X-3-.01 & .03; effective 2019-01-13. ALEA rules on secure transmission and required registration data, cross-referencing § 15-20A-7/-8; supports electronic forwarding and data elements. link
  • Statute: HB 452 (Introduced) — 2024 Regular Session; effective N/A (introduced; not codified). Proposed additions (e.g., limits on electronic media and PO boxes for certain offenders; treatment requirements); monitor status. link
  • Statute: SB 15 (Introduced) — 2025 Regular Session; effective N/A (introduced; not codified). Would bar sex offenders from serving as first responders by amending § 15-20A-13 and § 15-20A-31; status to watch. link

Compliance Checklists & Scripts

New Arrival: First 30 Days

  • Go in person to local law enforcement to register (bring release papers and ID); see § 15-20A-10(a).
  • If new to Alabama, register immediately in the county of residence/work/school; see § 15-20A-14.
  • Disclose all required information (residence, employment, vehicles, online IDs, phone/email); see § 15-20A-7 and ALEA rule 760-X-3-.03.
  • Obtain ALEA driver license/ID with designation within 14 days; see § 15-20A-18(b) and ALEA.
  • Calendar your birth-month verification and the next three-month intervals; see § 15-20A-10(f).
  • If travel (≥3 days) or international trips are planned, file notice/permit; see § 15-20A-15 and ALEA form.
  • Budget for $10 quarterly per registering agency; see § 15-20A-22.

Moving Out / Traveling

  • Notify current county(ies) before transferring/terminating residence; see § 15-20A-10(e).
  • If leaving Alabama, comply with destination-state rules and Alabama travel notice; see § 15-20A-15.
  • Upon establishing a new residence, register immediately in the new jurisdiction; see § 15-20A-14(b).
  • Turn in and re-obtain identification if required; see § 15-20A-18(d).

Records Request Template

To: [Agency Custodian / Sheriff / ALEA]

Re: Request for Registration Records under § 15-20A-8 and § 15-20A-42

Please provide certified copies of my registration file, verification receipts, notices, and any relief orders under Chapter 20A. I request fee and penalty ledgers tied to [Name, DOB]. If records are held by ALEA under § 15-20A-42, please transmit or advise the appropriate portal. Thank you.

[Signature / Contact]

Relief Petition Outline

1) Caption & jurisdiction; 2) Statutory basis (§ 15-20A-23/-24/-25); 3) Facts (offense, compliance, risk evals, time since release); 4) Legal standards & factors; 5) Proposed relief terms; 6) Service and hearing setting; 7) Exhibits (treatment, risk tools, compliance logs).

Tips for using these checklists

  • Follow the new arrival steps immediately; keep dated proofs for every action.
  • Use the official ALEA forms for travel and acknowledgments.
  • Relief petitions must cite the correct statute and attach evidence.

New-arrival/verification timelines in § 15-20A-10; travel form and rules via ALEA and § 15-20A-15.

Citations

🤝 This guide was created from official legal sources and checked with the help of AI-assisted research. We strive for accuracy and clarity — if you spot something that seems off or out of date, please let us know so we can correct it for everyone.

Informational only; not legal advice.