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

Michigan — Registry Rules

Official-source summary for Michigan.

10/10/2025

Key Highlights

  • Residency Restrictions: Michigan has no statewide residency bans; prior 1,000-ft ‘student safety zones’ were repealed on March 24 2021, and local governments may not impose their own zones or registries — see MCL 28.733–.736 (repealed) and MCL 28.728(14).
  • Presence / Proximity Rules: There are no statewide presence or loitering restrictions after repeal of the school-zone rules; courts and the Attorney General have confirmed that cities and counties cannot enforce additional proximity limits — see People v. Betts, 507 Mich 527 (2021).
  • Duration of Registration: Registration lasts 15 years (Tier I), 25 years (Tier II), or life (Tier III) per MCL 28.725(11)–(13); Tier I may petition for removal after 10 years under MCL 28.728c.
  • Tiering / Level System: Tiers differ by duration, verification frequency, and public exposure: Tier I = annual (Jan 1–15) / 15 yrs / generally non-public; Tier II = semi-annual (Jan & Jul) / 25 yrs / public; Tier III = quarterly (Jan–Apr–Jul–Oct) / lifetime / public — see MCL 28.725a(3) and MCL 28.728(4).

At a Glance

  • Michigan’s SORA applies to people domiciled or temporarily residing, working (paid or unpaid), or studying in Michigan, and to certain nonresidents convicted in Michigan; see MCL 28.723.
  • Initial deadline: For Michigan convictions, registration is handled before sentencing/disposition by the court/agent; for movers into Michigan, registration must occur promptly under MCL 28.724 and related MSP procedure (MSP Procedure Manual).
  • Verification: Tier I annually (Jan 1–15); Tier II semiannually (Jan & Jul 1–15); Tier III quarterly (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct 1–15) under MCL 28.725a and as summarized by the Michigan Supreme Court (2024).
  • Primary method: Verification and many updates are in person with the registering authority; some minor updates may be allowed in the manner prescribed by MSP under MCL 28.725 and MSP policy (MSP Procedure Manual).
  • ⚠️ Most changes must be reported within 3 business days (address, employment, school, name, vehicles) per MCL 28.725.
  • ⚠️ Moving to another state: report in person no more than 3 business days before the move; international move or travel >7 days: 21 days before. See MCL 28.725(7)–(8) and Judicial Benchbook.
  • ⚠️ Annual $50 registration fee at first verification and each year thereafter unless indigent waiver applies; see MCL 28.725a(6) and MSP form notice (RI-004A).
  • ⚠️ Michigan repealed school/student safety zones (no 1,000-ft rules) effective March 24, 2021; see MCL 28.733–.736 (repealed) and MSP notice (MSP SORA Update).
  • ⚠️ Public site does not show tier and excludes single Tier I cases (with specific exceptions) under MCL 28.728(4).

Official Links

What this means in practice

  • Michigan requires registration if you live, work, or go to school here with a qualifying conviction.
  • How often you check in depends on your tier (1, 2, or 3).
  • Most changes to your info must be reported within 3 business days.

Watch-outs

  • Tell police before you move to another state (3 business days) and 21 days before any international trip or move > 7 days.
  • You’ll owe a $50 fee at your first check-in and each year afterward, unless indigent waiver applies.

Summarizes MCL 28.723, MCL 28.725, MCL 28.725a, and MSP SORA Update (2021).

Reviewed 10/10/2025

Who Must Register & Duration

Covered individuals include those convicted of a listed offense after 10/1/1995; certain persons with pre-1995 convictions under custody/on supervision; individuals required to register in another state; and persons with prior listed offenses who later incur any felony (recapture). See MCL 28.723 and court guidance (SCAO Benchbook).

Duration: Registration lasts 15 years (Tier I), 25 years (Tier II), or life (Tier III) per MCL 28.725(11)–(13); Tier I may petition for removal after 10 years under MCL 28.728c.

What this means in practice

  • People with qualifying convictions or those required to register elsewhere must register when they live, work, or study in Michigan.
  • Some non-residents convicted in Michigan must register here but don’t keep reporting after leaving the state.

Watch-outs

  • If you had a prior listed offense and later commit any felony, you can be recaptured into SORA under MCL 28.723(4).

See MCL 28.723 and SCAO Benchbook SORA chapter.

Deadlines & Reporting Triggers

What this means in practice

  • Report address, job, school, and name changes within 3 business days.
  • Vehicle info updates follow [MCL 28.725(2)].
  • Verification occurs in January (all), July (Tier II & III), and April/October (Tier III).

Watch-outs

  • Missing a deadline can result in a separate criminal charge.
  • Always keep proof or receipts of in-person reports.

Reporting and timing under MCL 28.725 and MCL 28.725a(3),(6).

Verification & In-Person Requirements

What this means in practice

  • Tier I verifies once (January).
  • Tier II verifies twice (January and July).
  • Tier III verifies four times (January, April, July, October).

Watch-outs

  • Bring identification; homeless individuals are exempt from ID requirements but must still appear.
  • Annual $50 fee due at first verification each year.

Cadence and fees per MCL 28.725a and People v. Lymon (2024).

Residency, Presence, & Loitering Restrictions

Michigan repealed student/school safety zones (no 1,000-ft prohibitions) effective March 24, 2021. See MCL 28.733–.736 (repealed) and MSP notice (MSP SORA Update).

What this means in practice

  • Michigan no longer has 1,000-ft school safety zones.

Watch-outs

  • Probation or parole conditions may still impose proximity restrictions.

Repeal of MCL 28.733 – 28.736 per 2021 amendments.

Employment, Education, & Internet Use

  • Employment and school information must be kept current; changes within 3 business days. MCL 28.725(1)(b)–(c).
  • Electronic mail addresses and Internet identifiers are collected in the law-enforcement database, but tier is not public; see MCL 28.728(1)(i), (3)(e).

What this means in practice

  • Report work or school changes within 3 business days.
  • Internet/email identifiers go only to law enforcement, not public.

Watch-outs

  • Employer and school addresses appear on the public MSP site unless excluded by law.

See MCL 28.725 and MCL 28.728.

Public Website Exposure

  • Public site shows name, DOB, residence, employer and school addresses, vehicles, photo, conviction summary, and status. Tier is not shown. MCL 28.728(2)–(3).
  • Individuals registered solely for a single Tier I offense are excluded from public display (with narrow statutory exceptions). MCL 28.728(4)(c).

What this means in practice

  • Public MSP site lists identifying info, addresses, vehicles, and conviction details.
  • Tier status is not displayed.

Watch-outs

  • Single Tier I cases are often excluded from public display.

See MCL 28.728(2)–(4).

Travel & Relocation (Interstate Moves)

  • Before moving to another U.S. state, report in person no more than 3 business days before the move. MCL 28.725(7).
  • For international moves or travel over 7 days, report no later than 21 days before departure. MCL 28.725(8) and court guidance (Benchbook).
  • Federal SORNA also expects 21-day advance notice of international travel. See SMART Office guidance (DOJ SMART).

What this means in practice

  • Before moving to another state, report in person ≤3 business days before the move.
  • For international travel > 7 days, give 21 days’ notice.

Watch-outs

  • Destination states may have different or stricter requirements.

See MCL 28.725(7)–(8) and DOJ SMART Travel Guidance.

Visiting or Traveling in the State

  • If you become domiciled, temporarily reside, work, or study in Michigan, registration applies under MCL 28.723.
  • A nonresident convicted in Michigan on/after July 1, 2011 must register, but continued reporting does not apply while remaining a nonresident. MCL 28.723(3).

What this means in practice

  • Short visits not involving residence, work, or school usually don’t trigger registration.
  • If you do live, work, or study here, registration is required.

Watch-outs

  • Non-residents convicted in Michigan must register before sentencing but are not required to continue reporting while living out of state.

See MCL 28.723.

Compliance & Enforcement

Willful failures to comply are criminal. Offenses include failure to register/verify or to provide required notices, with penalties up to 2 years (misdemeanor/felony structure varies by subsection). See MCL 28.729 and benchbook summary (Failure to Comply).

What this means in practice

  • Failing to register, verify, or update required information is a crime.
  • Penalties can include misdemeanor or felony charges.

Watch-outs

  • Keep copies of receipts and dates for each report or verification.

See MCL 28.729 and Michigan Judicial Benchbook ‘Failure to Comply’ section.

Relief Paths

  • Limited petition to discontinue registration after 10 years for eligible persons; relief standards and categorical exclusions apply. See MCL 28.728c and related removal mechanics MCL 28.728d.
  • Juvenile and Romeo-and-Juliet pathways are narrowly defined in statute and case law; see MCL 28.728c.

What this means in practice

  • Eligible individuals may petition for removal after 10 years (Tier I) or under juvenile/consensual exceptions.
  • If granted, MSP removes the record from the registry.

Watch-outs

  • Many offenses and tiers are not eligible for relief.

See MCL 28.728c – .728d and SCAO MC 406a.

Special Populations

  • Persons who are homeless are exempt from maintaining a state ID/driver’s license, see MCL 28.725a(7), but must still report as required (see People v. Dowdy and MSP guidance).
  • Nonresidents convicted in Michigan register but are not subject to continued reporting while they remain nonresidents. MCL 28.723(3).

What this means in practice

  • Homeless people must still appear and verify but don’t need a state ID.
  • Non-residents convicted in Michigan register before sentencing but don’t keep reporting after they leave.

Watch-outs

  • Registration restarts if you return to live, work, or study in Michigan.

See MCL 28.725a(7) and MCL 28.723(3).

Costs & Payments

Recent Changes & Litigation

  • Statute: HB 5679 (2020 PA 295) — 2019–2020; effective 2021-03-24. Comprehensive SORA amendments: repealed student safety zones; adjusted reporting/verification; removed public display of tier. link
  • Case: People v. Betts, 507 Mich 527 — Michigan Supreme Court (2021-07-27) — Retroactive application of prior SORA amendments violated ex post facto protections; led to legislative rewrite. link
  • Case: People v. Lymon — Michigan Supreme Court (2024-07-29) — Clarified verification schedules and the annual fee requirement under MCL 28.725a. link

Compliance Checklists & Scripts

New Arrival: First 30 Days

  • Confirm you are required to register under MCL 28.723.
  • If moving to Michigan to live, work, or study, contact the local police/sheriff or MSP post within the required timeframe under MCL 28.724.
  • Bring ID (or start SOS process), court paperwork, and all information listed in MCL 28.727.
  • Ask for your verification month(s) and note fee timing under MCL 28.725a.

Moving Out / Traveling

  • If moving to another state, report in person to your Michigan registering authority ≤3 business days before leaving. MCL 28.725(7).
  • If traveling or moving internationally for more than 7 days, give 21 days' advance notice. MCL 28.725(8).
  • After relocating, comply with the new state's registration laws.

Records Request Template

To: Michigan State Police, Sex Offender Registry Unit — I request a copy of my full registry record, verification schedule, and fee status under MCL 28.728. Include my listed information, verification history, and any pending updates. (Provide full name, DOB, SID/MDOC number, current address, and copy of ID.) Send to address below. Reference: MSP SOR page.

Relief Petition Outline

File a petition under MCL 28.728c)/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectname=mcl-28-728c) (e.g., Tier I after 10 years, juvenile provisions, Romeo & Juliet). Attach proof of supervision completion, treatment compliance, clean record, and proposed order for removal under MCL 28.728d)/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectname=mcl-28-728d). Provide notice to the prosecutor. See SCAO MC 406a instructions.

Tips for using these checklists

  • Follow the arrival and move-out checklists for timing and documentation.
  • Use the records template for your MSP file and the outline for a relief petition.

Derived from MCL 28.724–.725a and MSP Procedure Manual.

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.