Idaho — Registry Rules

• People convicted of listed offenses and certain substantially equivalent out-of-state offenses must register under the Sexual Offender Registration Notification and Community Right-to-Know Act; see Idaho Code §18-8304.
• Initial deadline: Register before release if incarcerated; if sentenced to probation or judgment withheld, register within 2 working days of sentencing; new residents must register within 2 working days of entering a county to establish residence; see §18-8306 and §18-8307(4)(a).
• Verification: Annual in-person registration for most; quarterly for those previously designated violent sexual predators; between registrations, mail-back address verifications (every 4 months for most; every 30 days for VSPs); homeless must report every 14 days; see §18-8307(5) and §18-8308.
• Primary method: In person at the sheriff’s office in the county of registration after receiving a non-forwardable notice; appear within 7 days of mailing; see §18-8307(5)(c).
• ⚠️ Changes to name, address, employment, student status must be reported in person within 2 working days; see §18-8309(1).
• ⚠️ Any lodging of 7+ days (travel) must be immediately reported to the department; see §18-8309(2).
• ⚠️ Day-care employment is prohibited absent court relief; see §18-8327.
• ⚠️ School-grounds/presence limits apply; see §18-8329.
• ⚠️ Failure to register/verify is a felony; see §18-8311.

Residents and certain nonresidents with qualifying convictions (and substantially equivalent out-of-state convictions) must register; coverage begins July 1, 1993 forward; see §18-8304.

Duration: Registration is lifetime, with eligibility to petition for removal after 10 years for certain non-recidivists under § 18-8310.

• Initial: Before release if incarcerated; otherwise within 2 working days of sentencing or judgment withheld; see §18-8306(2)–(3).
• New residence in a county: Register with the sheriff within 2 working days; see §18-8307(4)(a).
• Nonresident worker/student: Register within 2 working days of starting work or enrollment (earlier if working with minors); see §18-8307(4)(b).
• Changes (name, address, employment, student status): Report in person within 2 working days to the sheriff; see §18-8309(1).
• Lodging 7+ days (travel notice): Immediately notify the department; see §18-8309(2).
• Vehicles & internet IDs: Immediately notify the department of changes; see §18-8309(3).

• Annual (most registrants) or quarterly (VSP): Department mails a non-forwardable notice; registrant must appear within 7 days at the sheriff’s office; see §18-8307(5).
• Between registrations: Address verification by mail (every 4 months for most; 30 days for VSPs), with sheriff checks if noncompliant; see §18-8308(1)–(2).
• No fixed address (homeless): Report every 14 days in person; sheriff conducts monthly location checks; see §18-8308(4).

No statewide distance-based residency ban, but presence restrictions around schools and children apply (e.g., being on school grounds or loitering near schools) per §18-8329; verify any local ordinances (e.g., Garden City) before moving (local example).

• Employment: Working at a day care center/facility is prohibited unless the court grants relief; see §18-8327.
• School access: Limits on presence at schools and around schoolchildren; exceptions and permission pathways in §18-8329.
• Internet identifiers: Registry collects identifiers used online; updates must be immediate; see §18-8305 and §18-8309(3).

• Public access online is required; specific fields (name, aliases, address, etc.) are listed in statute; see §18-8323.
• Misuse of registry information (vigilantism) is a misdemeanor; see §18-8326.
• Search the state site: Idaho State Police SOR.

• Moving to another jurisdiction: Must register there within 2 days; Idaho does not remove you until the new registration is complete; see §18-8307(4)(a).
• Starting work/school in Idaho as a nonresident: Register within 2 working days (earlier if working with minors); see §18-8307(4)(b).
• International: Notify county/central registry before residence, work, or school outside the U.S.; see §18-8309(5).

• Short-term stays: Any lodging of 7+ days must be immediately reported to the department; see §18-8309(2).
• There is no explicit general visitor registration threshold apart from employment/school triggers and establishing residence; verify any local presence rules near schools (§18-8329).

Felony penalties for knowingly failing to register, verify, or report required information; up to 10 years’ imprisonment and up to $5,000 fine; consecutive service rules may apply; see §18-8311. Misuse of registry data is separately punishable; see §18-8326.

• General removal: Registration is for life, but eligible non-recidivists, non-aggravated, non-VSPs may petition after 10 years; see §18-8310(1).
• Targeted relief (day-care/school presence): After 10 years, may petition for relief from §18-8327 employment bar and related day-care premises limits with proof by clear and convincing evidence; see §18-8328.
• Juveniles: Separate registry and standards under Chapter 84; see §18-8404.

• Violent sexual predator (legacy designation): Quarterly in-person registration; enhanced address verification and possible electronic monitoring during supervision; see §18-8307(5) and §18-8308(1), (3).
• Homeless/no fixed address: Must report every 14 days; sheriff conducts monthly checks; see §18-8308(4).
• Juvenile offenders: Maintained in a separate registry; see §18-8404.

• $80 annual fee for most registrants; VSPs: $50 at first quarterly registration and $10 each subsequent quarter that year; indigency waiver possible; see §18-8307(2).
• Travel to appear in person (within 7 days of mailed notice) is required; see §18-8307(5)(c).

• Case: Does v. Wasden — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2020-12-09) — Appellate decision addressing challenges to Idaho SORA provisions; remanded in part for further proceedings. link
• Case: Does v. Wasden (district proceedings) — U.S. District Court, D. Idaho (2023-06-29) — Order discussing SORA framework and amendments while adjudicating constitutional claims. link
• Rule: IDAPA 11.10.03 (Rules Governing the Sex Offender Registry); effective 2024-Archive. Current compiled administrative rules for registry operations (forms, notifications, verifications). link