Arizona — Registry Rules

• People convicted of listed sexual offenses, certain attempted offenses, or equivalent out-of-state offenses must register with the county sheriff; see A.R.S. §13-3821.
• Initial deadline: Register within 10 days after conviction; nonresidents must register within 72 hours (excluding weekends and legal holidays) after entering and remaining at least 72 hours in any Arizona county; see §13-3821(A).
• Verification: Report in person every year during your birth month; transient or multiple-residence registrants must check in at least every 90 days; see §13-3821(J).
• Primary method: In person at the county sheriff; obtain and carry an annual MVD driver license/ID tied to registration; see §13-3821(J).
• ⚠️ 72-hour window (excl. weekends/holidays) to report address, name, vehicle, online identifiers, and child school-enrollment changes; see §13-3822.
• ⚠️ Students or employees at Arizona postsecondary institutions must notify the sheriff where the school is located; see §13-3821(N).
• ⚠️ Initial $250 assessment at conviction; failure to keep the annual MVD credential is a Class 6 felony with a mandatory $250 assessment; see §13-3821(Q) and AZDPS.
• ⚠️ Level 2–3 offenders are posted online; Level 1 generally is not; see §13-3827.
• ⚠️ Certain Level 3 offenders with ‘dangerous crimes against children’ face 1,000-ft school/child-care residency bans; see §13-3727.

Registration covers enumerated offenses and certain judge-ordered offenses with a sexual-motivation finding; nonresidents working or studying in Arizona for 14 consecutive days or 30 days in a year must register; juveniles may be ordered to register; see §13-3821(C),(D),(E).

Duration: Registration lasts for life unless a court grants termination for qualifying youth or specific petitions; see A.R.S. § 13-3821(G) and A.R.S. § 13-3826.

• Initial timing: within 10 days after conviction or within 72 hours (excluding weekends/holidays) after entering and remaining 72 hours in a county; see §13-3821(A).
• Annual check-in during birth month, in person; obtain/renew MVD license/ID annually; see §13-3821(J).
• Changes within 72 hours (excluding weekends/holidays): move, name, address, email/online identifiers, vehicle info, and child’s school-enrollment status; in person or electronically where allowed; see §13-3822(A),(C)–(E).
• Multiple residences or transient status: register each residence and verify at least every 90 days; see §13-3821(I)(6)(c)–(d).
• Nonresident worker or student thresholds: 14 consecutive days or 30 days in a calendar year; see §13-3821(E).

• Annual in-person verification during the month of birth at the registering county sheriff; see §13-3821(J).
• If transient or with more than one residence, appear at least every 90 days to maintain status; see §13-3821(I)(6)(c)–(d).

Arizona imposes targeted state bans for certain Level 3 offenders convicted of ‘dangerous crimes against children’ (1,000-ft from schools/child care) and victim-proximity limits; statewide blanket zones otherwise preempted; see §13-3727 and AZDPS guidance.

• Postsecondary employment or enrollment must be reported to the sheriff where the institution is located, and updates must be reported on status changes; see §13-3821(N).
• Register and update required online identifiers (email, social media, chat) within 72 hours; see §13-3821(P) and §13-3822(C).

• AZDPS Internet site publishes Level 2 and Level 3 offenders (with specified exceptions); Level 1 is generally not posted; see §13-3827 and AZDPS.
• Community notification duties and levels are governed by statute and DPS guidelines; see §13-3825.

• Leaving Arizona: follow receiving state law; failure to stay current in Arizona before departure is prosecutable; see §13-3824.
• Returning or entering Arizona: registration may be triggered if you remain 72 hours in a county or meet nonresident work/school thresholds; see §13-3821(A),(E).

• Visitors must register if they remain at least 72 hours in any county; 72-hour clock excludes weekends/holidays; see §13-3821(A).
• Short-stay travelers under thresholds do not trigger registration but must monitor cumulative day counts for work/school; see §13-3821(E).

Failure to comply with registration/verification is a Class 4 felony; certain credential/renewal failures are Class 6 felonies with a mandatory $250 assessment; see §13-3824 and AZDPS FAQ.

• Juvenile registration ordered by the court ends at age 25; see §13-3821(D),(F).
• Court may terminate duty to register on successful completion of probation if the person was under 18 when the offense was committed; see §13-3821(G).
• Petition to terminate for specified ‘Romeo-and-Juliet’ scenarios tied to sexual conduct with a minor after successful probation; see §13-3826 and 2024 updates at SB 1630.
• Annual probation review hearings for qualifying youthful offenders may lead to suspension/termination after hearing; see §13-923.

• Homeless/transient: provide location description and verify at least every 90 days; see §13-3821(I)(6)(d).
• Multiple residences: must register each and verify at least every 90 days; see §13-3821(I)(6)(c).
• Parents with school-enrolled children: must report changes to the child’s enrollment within 72 hours; see §13-3822(E).

• Court-ordered $250 assessment at initial registration event; not subject to surcharge; see §13-3821(Q).
• Annual MVD license/ID renewal required for registrants; associated fees apply; see §13-3821(J).

• Statute: SB 1404 (ch. 57) — 2024 Reg. Sess.; effective 2024-03-29. Amended §§13-3821, -3822, -3825 (school-notification data fields; 72-hour reporting refinements; verification cross-checks). link
• Statute: SB 1630 — 2024 Reg. Sess.; effective 2024-05-08. Amended §13-3826 and related provisions on petitions to terminate registration after probation; added §13-3828 (Sex Offender Management Board) history. link