North Dakota — Registry Rules

• People convicted, adjudicated delinquent, or ordered by a court for a qualifying sex offense or crime against a child, including substantially equivalent out-of-state, tribal, federal, or foreign convictions. The duty is created by N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-15 and applied in practice by the Attorney General’s registry program.
• Initial deadline: Register within 3 days of entering the North Dakota county where you reside or are temporarily domiciled; homeless individuals must register every 3 days with local law enforcement. See § 12.1-32-15(2)–(3) and program guidance in the AG’s FAQ.
• Verification: By risk level with fixed months: High risk = quarterly (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct); Moderate = twice yearly (Feb/Aug); Low or not yet assigned = annually in birth month. Source: AG FAQ and AG Procedures Manual.
• Primary method: In-person registration/verification with the city police or county sheriff where you live; fingerprints, photo, and forms are transmitted to BCI. See § 12.1-32-15(7) and AG Procedures Manual.
• ⚠️ Provide 10 days’ advance notice before any change to residence, employment, school, vehicle info, or online identity; report terminations within 3 days. See AG Procedures Manual.
• ⚠️ Homeless status requires in-person check-ins every 3 days; failure creates prima facie proof of a violation. See § 12.1-32-15(2)–(3), (9).
• ⚠️ High-risk registrants may not reside within 500 feet of any public or nonpublic preschool, elementary, middle, or high school. See § 12.1-32-15(13).
• ⚠️ Presence on K-12 school property is restricted for many registrants, with narrow exceptions (e.g., voting, open meetings). See § 12.1-20-25.
• ⚠️ Failure to comply is a Class C felony and carries a mandatory minimum of 90 days jail and 1 year probation (non-juveniles). See § 12.1-32-15(9)–(10).

Courts must order registration for qualifying sexual offenses and crimes against children, including attempts; courts may order registration for other crimes if warranted by the nature of the offense. The duty also attaches to individuals with substantially equivalent convictions from other jurisdictions. See § 12.1-32-15(2)–(3) and AG “Laws” overview (link). Juveniles can be required to register, with disclosure governed by risk and policy (AG Laws).

Duration: Registration lasts 15 years (low), 25 years (moderate), or lifetime (high or specified offenses) under § 12.1-32-15(8); duration may extend if new convictions occur or if compliance lapses.

• Initial: Within 3 days of arrival in the county of residence/temporary domicile; homeless must register every 3 days. § 12.1-32-15(2)–(3).
• Advance changes: Provide 10 days’ notice before changes to residence, employment, school, vehicles, or online identity; report terminations within 3 days. (AG Procedures Manual).
• Routine verification: High risk Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct; Moderate Feb/Aug; Low (or unassigned) birth month. (AG FAQ).
• International travel: Inform registering agency ≥21 days before departure; AG reports to U.S. Marshals. § 12.1-32-15(19).

• Verification is in person with the agency of registration (city police/sheriff); fingerprints/photo maintained by BCI. § 12.1-32-15(7); AG Procedures Manual.
• Frequency by risk month (see above) with fixed months. AG FAQ.

North Dakota imposes a residency buffer only for high-risk sexual offenders: may not reside within 500 feet of any public or nonpublic preschool, elementary, middle, or high school. See § 12.1-32-15(13). Separate from residence, presence on school property is restricted by § 12.1-20-25. The AG notes low/moderate risk offenders generally are not barred from living near schools, parks, or daycares absent probation conditions (AG FAQ).

• Employment/school addresses are required, and changes must be pre-reported 10 days in advance; terminations must be reported within 3 days. AG Procedures Manual.
• Institutions of higher education receive notifications consistent with federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act; ND AG coordinates disclosures. (Manual & AG Laws).
• Provide and keep current online identity information (email/usernames) and vehicle information; advance notice of changes required. AG Procedures Manual.

• Public disclosure framework: law enforcement must disclose relevant/necessary info for moderate/high risk and may include internet access for lifetime or high-risk cases. See § 12.1-32-15(14).
• Program practice: the AG’s site provides searchable listings of registrants and is updated in real time (Search, Offender Info); juvenile listings are limited by policy/risk (see AG Laws).
• “Offenders Against Children” are not listed on the sex-offender website; separate information is at the AG Public Safety portal (link).

• Out-of-state registrants visiting/working in ND must register if staying ≥10 consecutive overnights or ≥30 overnights in a calendar year (even if non-consecutive). AG FAQ.
• Moving into/out of ND: give 10 days’ advance notice of address/employment/school changes and complete in-person registration in the new jurisdiction within 3 days of arrival. AG FAQ; AG Procedures Manual.
• International trips: ≥21-day notice to registering agency; AG reports to USMS. § 12.1-32-15(19).

• Short-term stays by non-residents trigger ND registration if 10 consecutive nights or 30 nights/year thresholds are met. AG FAQ.
• If thresholds aren’t met, keep documentation of your itinerary and check with the local sheriff or police listed on the AG site (Contact).

Noncompliance with § 12.1-32-15 is a Class C felony; for non-juveniles, courts may not relieve the offender from serving at least 90 days jail and 1 year probation. Parole/probation is revoked if initial registration is missed. See § 12.1-32-15(9)–(10). The AG/BCI actively monitors and issues warrants; the public site is updated in real time (Offender Info).

• Existing: If registration was required before Aug. 1, 1999 and is no longer mandatory due to statutory changes, a petition to be removed may be filed. See § 12.1-32-15(17).
• Proposed (2025 Session): A bill to create § 12.1-32-15.1 allowing low-risk offenders to petition for relief after 7 years of registration was introduced (status: pending). See 69th Assembly draft 25-0275-02000.

• Juveniles: may be required to register; disclosure and notifications follow statute and AG policy. See § 12.1-32-15(16) and AG Laws.
• Students/Employees at colleges: campus notifications per federal law; ND AG coordinates. AG Procedures Manual.
• High-risk: 500-foot residence buffer from schools; enhanced public notification. § 12.1-32-15(13)–(14).
• Early childhood services: registrants are generally barred from providing daycare; see AG FAQ note referencing § 50-11.1-13.1.

• No statewide fee for registration is specified in § 12.1-32-15; agencies collect fingerprints/photos as part of in-person processing. Confirm any local administrative costs with your registering agency (Contact AG/BCI).

• Rule: AG Risk Assessment & Community Notification Guidelines (11/1/2021); effective 2021-11-01. Sets low/moderate/high risk process and public disclosure practices used to drive verification months and notifications. link
• Case: SMART Office SORNA Substantial Implementation Review – North Dakota — U.S. DOJ SMART Office (Program Review) (2024-12-01) — Describes ND’s risk-based durations and verification schedule; provides federal implementation context for state practice. link
• Statute: SB 2037 (Draft) – Amend § 12.1-32-15 — 69th (2025) – Introduced; effective —. Amendments to § 12.1-32-15 considered in 2025; consult text for scope of changes (pending as of Oct. 2025). link
• Statute: § 12.1-32-15.1 (Draft) – Petition for Relief — 69th (2025) – Introduced; effective —. Would allow low-risk offenders to petition for relief after 7 years of registration; not enacted as of Oct. 2025. link