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

Missouri — Registry Rules

Official-source summary for Missouri.

10/10/2025

Key Highlights

  • Residency Restrictions: Certain offenders may not reside within 1,000 feet of a school, child-care facility, or a victim’s residence (property-line to property-line); see RSMo § 566.147.
  • Presence / Proximity Rules: Presence/loitering within 500 feet of schools, child-care facilities, and specified child-focused venues is restricted with narrow exceptions and parent-permission procedures; see RSMo § 566.148, RSMo § 566.149, RSMo § 566.150.
  • Duration of Registration: Registration lasts 15 years (Tier I), 25 years (Tier II), or life (Tier III) with limited clean-record reductions and court petitions; see RSMo § 589.400, RSMo § 589.401.
  • Tiering / Level System: Three-tier system with annual (Tier I), semiannual (Tier II), or every 90 days (Tier III) in-person verification; see RSMo § 589.414.

At a Glance

  • People convicted, adjudicated, or otherwise required to register for qualifying offenses listed in RSMo § 589.414 must register under RSMo § 589.400.
  • Initial deadline: Register within 3 business days of adjudication, release, or placement on probation; see RSMo § 589.400.2.
  • Verification: Tier I annually (birth month); Tier II semiannually (birth month and 6 months later); Tier III every 90 days; see RSMo § 589.414.5–.7.
  • Primary method: In person with the chief law enforcement officer for the county/city of residence; changes and verifications are in-person per RSMo § 589.414.
  • ⚠️ All changes (name, residence, employment, school, vehicles, temporary lodging, online identifiers) must be reported within 3 business days; new online identifiers must be reported before use. See RSMo § 589.414.
  • ⚠️ Visitors/workers/students: 7-day rule triggers duties even without residence; see RSMo § 589.400.1(8), .11.
  • ⚠️ Presence and residency buffers: 500 ft school/child-area presence bans (RSMo §§ 566.148–.150) and 1,000 ft residency ban (RSMo § 566.147); measured property line to property line (State v. McCord).
  • ⚠️ Failure to register: first = Class A misdemeanor, second = Class D felony, third offense 10–30 years; see RSMo § 589.425.
  • ⚠️ Halloween sign mandate in § 589.426.1(3) was enjoined as compelled speech (Sanderson v. Bailey), but other Halloween restrictions remain; see RSMo § 589.426.
  • ⚠️ Public website shows tier, addresses, photos; juvenile adjudications are exempt from public posting; see RSMo § 43.650.
  • ⚠️ If you have ever been required to register under federal SORNA, Missouri may require lifetime registration despite tier timelines; see note in RSMo § 589.400.

Official Links

What this means in practice

  • Most people with covered sex offenses must register within 3 business days.
  • How often you check in depends on your tier (1 = yearly, 2 = twice a year, 3 = every 90 days).
  • Report moves, jobs/school changes, temporary stays, vehicles, phones, and online usernames fast.

Watch-outs

  • Missouri uses a 7-day rule for visitors, workers, and students.
  • Some buffers (schools/parks) are distance-based and strictly enforced.
  • If you ever had a federal SORNA duty, Missouri may keep you on for life.

Everything here tracks the Missouri statutes we link to, especially §§ 589.400–.426, § 43.650, and §§ 566.147–.150.

Reviewed 10/10/2025

Who Must Register & Duration

Covered persons include those adjudicated for offenses referenced in RSMo § 589.414; persons committed as criminal sexual psychopaths; persons found not guilty by reason of mental disease/defect for covered offenses; Missouri residents with comparable out-of-state/federal/tribal/military offenses or registration duties; and certain nonresidents working or studying in Missouri. See RSMo § 589.400.1, .8.

Duration: Registration lasts 15 years (Tier I), 25 years (Tier II), or life (Tier III) with limited clean-record reductions and court petitions; see RSMo § 589.400, RSMo § 589.401.

What this means in practice

  • If your offense is on Missouri’s list or comparable to it, you must register.
  • Out-of-state convictions and federal/tribal/military cases also count.

Watch-outs

  • If another state or the feds said you had to register, Missouri likely will too.

See § 589.400.1 and the offense cross-references in § 589.414.

Deadlines & Reporting Triggers

  • Initial registration: within 3 business days of adjudication, release, or probation placement. RSMo § 589.400.2.
  • Verification cadence: Tier I annually, Tier II semiannually, Tier III every 90 days (in person). RSMo § 589.414.5–.7.
  • Changes to name, residence, employment/volunteer, or student status: appear in person within 3 business days. RSMo § 589.414.1.
  • Changes to vehicles, temporary lodging/residence, phone numbers, and internet identifiers: notify within 3 business days; new online identifiers must be reported before use. RSMo § 589.414.2, .9.
  • Moves to another county/state: notify both prior and new jurisdictions within 3 business days and appear in person. RSMo § 589.414.4.
  • Part-time workers/students in MO (>7 days in 12 months): must register where working/attending. RSMo § 589.414.8.

What this means in practice

  • Initial sign-up and future changes are due in 3 business days.
  • Tier check-ins: Yearly (Tier I), twice yearly (Tier II), every 90 days (Tier III).
  • Report new usernames before you use them.

Watch-outs

  • Moving counties or states needs in-person notices to both old and new places.
  • Temporary stays and hotel info are reportable.

Deadlines are in § 589.400.2 and § 589.414.

Verification & In-Person Requirements

  • All verifications are in person with the chief law enforcement official. RSMo § 589.414.
  • Tier I reports annually in birth month; Tier II semiannually (birth month + 6 months); Tier III every 90 days. RSMo § 589.414.5–.7.
  • Provide required identification, documentation, and updates (vehicles, temporary lodging/residence). RSMo § 589.407; § 589.414.2.

What this means in practice

  • All check-ins are in person with your county/city police or sheriff.
  • Bring ID and documents; keep receipt copies.

Watch-outs

  • Missing a check-in can lead to criminal charges.

See § 589.414.5–.7.

Residency, Presence, & Loitering Restrictions

Residency: certain offenders may not reside within 1,000 feet of a school, child-care facility, or a victim’s residence; violations are criminal. Measurement is property line to property line. See RSMo § 566.147 and State v. McCord noted on that page. Presence: additional bans within 500 feet of child-care facilities, schools, and specified child-focused places (parks, pools, athletic complexes, museums, nature centers) with narrow exceptions and permission procedures for parents/guardians. See RSMo §§ 566.148–.150.

What this means in practice

  • Some people may not live within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares, or a victim’s home.
  • Some may not be present/loiter within 500 feet of schools, daycares, parks, pools, and similar places.

Watch-outs

  • Distance is measured property line to property line.
  • Parents/guardians need written permission to go onto school grounds.

See § 566.147 and §§ 566.148–.150.

Employment, Education, & Internet Use

  • Report changes in employment (including volunteer/intern) and student status within 3 business days, in person. RSMo § 589.414.1.
  • Report email/IM/usernames/other online identifiers within 3 business days and before use for new identifiers. RSMo § 589.414.2(4), .9; “online identifier” defined at RSMo § 43.651.
  • Public website may include tier, addresses, photo, vehicles; online identifiers are not displayed but are searchable by exact identifier. RSMo § 43.650.4(7),(10).
  • If you work/attend school in Missouri (even part-time >7 days in 12 months), you must register with the local chief law enforcement officer where you work/attend. RSMo § 589.414.8.

What this means in practice

  • Report job/volunteer and school changes within 3 business days.
  • Report emails, usernames, and other online IDs and add new ones before use.

Watch-outs

  • If you work or study in Missouri >7 days in a year, you must register there too.

See § 589.414.1–.2, .8–.9 and online ID definition at § 43.651.

Public Website Exposure

  • MSHP public site lists name/aliases, DOB, physical description, residence/temporary/work/school addresses, photos, vehicles, qualifying offenses and tier, release dates, and compliance status. RSMo § 43.650.4.
  • Juveniles adjudicated under § 589.400.1(5) are exempt from public notification. RSMo § 43.650.5.
  • Registration materials (statements, photos, fingerprints) are not public records, with limited law-enforcement disclosure. RSMo § 589.417.

What this means in practice

  • Missouri’s website shows your tier, addresses, photo, vehicles, and offenses.
  • Juveniles are not posted online.

Watch-outs

  • Online identifiers aren’t displayed but can be searched by exact match.

Public site contents and juvenile exemption are in § 43.650; records privacy is in § 589.417.

Travel & Relocation (Interstate Moves)

  • If changing residence to a different Missouri county or another state/territory/federal/tribal jurisdiction, notify both the former and new jurisdictions within 3 business days and appear in person. RSMo § 589.414.4.
  • Nonresidents who work or attend school in Missouri must register for the duration of work/school if present more than 7 days in any 12 months. RSMo § 589.400.1(8).

What this means in practice

  • Tell both old and new jurisdictions within 3 business days when moving.
  • Working or studying in Missouri (even part-time) creates a local duty to register.

Watch-outs

  • Plan ahead—some states require pre-arrival appointments.

See § 589.414.4, .8 and § 589.400.1(8).

Visiting or Traveling in the State

  • If away from home, provide temporary lodging/residence information within 3 business days. RSMo § 589.414.2(2)-(3).
  • Out-of-state registrants with a temporary residence in Missouri for >7 days in any 12 months must register for the duration of the stay. RSMo § 589.400.11.

What this means in practice

  • Report temporary lodging/residence info within 3 business days.
  • Out-of-state registrants staying in Missouri >7 days in a year must register.

Watch-outs

  • Hotel stays can count; keep itineraries and receipts.

See § 589.414.2 and § 589.400.11.

Compliance & Enforcement

Failure to meet any requirement of §§ 589.400–.425 is a Class A misdemeanor; a second or subsequent violation is a Class D felony; a third failure-to-register offense carries 10–30 years imprisonment. See RSMo § 589.425. Halloween restrictions in RSMo § 589.426 remain except the sign-posting mandate, which was enjoined (Sanderson v. Bailey).

What this means in practice

  • First miss: Class A misdemeanor; second: Class D felony; third: 10–30 years.
  • Halloween sign rule blocked, but other Halloween limits apply.

Watch-outs

  • Courts and probation can add conditions; local rules may be stricter.

Penalties: § 589.425. Halloween: § 589.426 and Sanderson v. Bailey.

Relief Paths

  • Standard durations: Tier I 15 years, Tier II 25 years, Tier III life. Clean-record reduction available for Tier I (–5 years) and certain juvenile Tier III. See RSMo § 589.400.4–.5.
  • Petition for removal: file in the circuit court where the offense occurred after 10 years (Tier I), 25 years (Tier II), or 25 years for juvenile Tier III, meeting all criteria (no disqualifying offenses, completed supervision and approved treatment, not a current threat). See RSMo § 589.401.
  • Important: If the person has been required to register under federal SORNA, Missouri may require lifetime registration notwithstanding tier timelines (Smith v. St. Louis County Police).

What this means in practice

  • Tiers set your basic time: 15/25/life; some Tier I get –5 years with a clean record.
  • File a petition for removal once eligible and criteria are met.

Watch-outs

  • If you ever had a federal SORNA duty, Missouri may require lifetime registration.
  • Court can deny if any criteria or notices aren’t met.

See § 589.400.4–.5 and petition steps in § 589.401.

Special Populations

  • Juveniles: certain juveniles must register, but public posting is barred. See RSMo § 589.400.1(5) and RSMo § 43.650.5.
  • Parents/guardians who are registrants: may obtain written permission for limited presence on school property under procedures in RSMo § 566.149.
  • Probation/parole: officers must notify law enforcement about expected moves; duties to register remain with the person. RSMo § 589.415.

What this means in practice

  • Some juveniles must register, but they are not listed online.
  • Parents/guardians can request written permission for school visits.

Watch-outs

  • Probation/parole must notify moves, but you still must personally comply.

See § 589.400.1(5), § 43.650.5, and § 566.149.

Costs & Payments

Recent Changes & Litigation

  • Case: Smith v. St. Louis County Police, 659 S.W.3d 895 — Supreme Court of Missouri (en banc) (2023-05-23) — If a person has been required to register under federal SORNA, Missouri law mandates lifetime registration even if federal duty has ended. link
  • Case: Sanderson v. Bailey, 753 F. Supp. 3d 773 — E.D. Mo. (2024-10-02) — Halloween sign-posting requirement in § 589.426.1(3) violates First Amendment; other subsections unaffected. link
  • Case: State v. McCord, 621 S.W.3d 496 — Supreme Court of Missouri (en banc) (2021-04-06) — Residency distance under § 566.147 measured property line to property line. link
  • Statute: SB 655 (2018) — 99th General Assembly; effective 2018-08-28. Adopted three-tier system; set verification cadence; created removal petition process and clean-record reduction. link

Compliance Checklists & Scripts

New Arrival: First 30 Days

  • Confirm qualifying offense is listed in § 589.414.
  • Register within 3 business days of adjudication/release/probation under § 589.400.2.
  • Bring ID, documents to substantiate info, and provide fingerprints/photo/DNA as required in § 589.407.
  • Record your tier and verification cadence from § 589.414.5–.7.
  • List vehicles and temporary lodging/residence info per § 589.414.2.
  • Inventory online identifiers and report new ones before use under § 589.414.9.
  • Check residency/presence buffers in §§ 566.147–.150.
  • Save receipts/copies and calendar next verification date.

Moving Out / Traveling

  • Before moving counties/states, appear and notify current CLEO; notify new jurisdiction within 3 business days. § 589.414.4.
  • Update vehicles, temporary lodging, phone numbers, and online identifiers per § 589.414.2, .9.
  • If working/attending school across county lines, ensure concurrent registration per § 589.414.8.

Records Request Template

To: Missouri State Highway Patrol, Criminal Records & Identification Division — Sex Offender Registry; and [Local CLEO].\n\nSubject: Request for Registry Records and Verification Receipts\n\nI am registered under RSMo §§ 589.400–.425. Please provide copies of my registration forms, verification receipts, tier classification, and any compliance notes held by your agency pursuant to RSMo § 589.417. I consent to release to me and request confirmation of my next verification due date under RSMo § 589.414.\n\nName / DOB / Last 4 SSN / Current Address / Phone\n\nSignature / Date

Relief Petition Outline

Caption in circuit court of offense county (§ 589.401). Parties: Petitioner vs. Missouri State Highway Patrol and CLEO. Allegations: offense, tier, dates of adjudication and initial registration; certify elapsed time (Tier I 10y, Tier II 25y, juvenile Tier III 25y) under § 589.401.4. Attach: fingerprints (§ 589.401.5(6)), proof of completed supervision and approved treatment (§ 589.401.11(3)-(4)), and clean-record criteria. Serve prosecutor and notify victim (§ 589.401.8–.11). Prayer: order removing name from registry and directing MSHP/CLEO to update records. Note: Smith v. St. Louis County Police may bar removal if petitioner has been required to register under federal SORNA (see note in § 589.400).

Tips for using these checklists

  • Use the arrival/move checklists to hit 3-day deadlines and verify your tier cadence.
  • The petition outline tracks what courts expect and common exhibits.

Templates align to statute text and MSHP practice (see §§ 589.400–.414 and MSHP forms).

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.