Key Highlights
- Residency Restrictions: Nebraska has no statewide residency ban; municipalities may restrict “sexual predators” from living within 500 ft of schools/child care under § 29-4017.
- Presence / Proximity Rules: There are no statewide presence/loitering zones; confirm any local rules while meeting SORA duties in SORA index and the NSP Registry.
- Duration of Registration: 15, 25, or life by offense category (Tier I/II/III), and a 15-year registrant may seek *early termination after 10 compliant years post-discharge*** under § 29-4005 and the NSP Registry.
- Tiering / Level System: Tiers are offense-based in § 29-4005 and control verification cadence—annual/semiannual/quarterly—per § 29-4006 and public posting practices noted by the NSP Registry.
At a Glance
- People convicted of registrable sex offenses must register under the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) in Nebraska. See the act at §§ 29-4001 to 29-4014.
- Initial deadline: Register within three working days of becoming subject to SORA, at a site designated by the Nebraska State Patrol, or prior to release if incarcerated. See § 29-4004(1) and NSP Registration Info.
- Verification: In-person verification with the county sheriff: annually for 15-year registrants, every 6 months for 25-year registrants, and every 3 months for lifetime registrants. See § 29-4006(3)–(5).
- Primary method: Initial registration at a Nebraska State Patrol site; updates/verification in person with the county sheriff. See NSP locations and Lancaster County FAQ reflecting state practice (FAQ).
- ⚠️ Move, employment, school, or name changes must be reported in person within 3 working days. See § 29-4004(3)–(6) and § 29-4006(11).
- ⚠️ If you lack a fixed residence, you must report at least every 30 days while homeless. See court form guidance (Rev. 03/2024) at CC-6:9.
- ⚠️ Public site lists Internet identifiers (emails/usernames) among releasable data; victims’ identities are not released. See § 29-4009.
- ⚠️ Local residency limits are allowed only for “sexual predators,” up to 500 ft from schools/child-care, if requirements are met. See § 29-4017.
- ⚠️ Penalties are severe: violation is a Class IIIA felony (repeat: Class IIA with a mandatory minimum in most cases). See § 29-4011.
Official Links
What this means in practice
- If your crime is on Nebraska’s list, you must register and keep your info current.
- Register in 3 working days and keep verifying in person on the schedule set by your duration.
Watch-outs
- Moving, job, school, or name changes must be reported fast (3 working days).
- If you’re homeless, you must check in at least every 30 days until you have an address.
Based on Nebraska SORA at §§ 29-4001 to 29-4014 and NSP program details at About.
Reviewed 10/15/2025
Who Must Register & Duration
SORA applies to persons convicted of offenses listed in § 29-4003, including some with pre-1997 conduct if they were incarcerated or supervised on/after January 1, 1997. Juvenile adjudications in Nebraska juvenile court do not trigger registration unless the youth was tried as an adult or moves in already required to register by another jurisdiction; see NSP FAQ and 272 NAC ch. 19.
Duration: 15, 25, or life by offense category (Tier I/II/III), and a 15-year registrant may seek *early termination after 10 compliant years post-discharge*** under § 29-4005 and the NSP Registry.
What this means in practice
- Most adult convictions listed in the law require registration.
- Nebraska juvenile-court adjudications usually do not require registration unless tried as an adult or you move in already required to register elsewhere.
Watch-outs
- If your crime was before 1997, you may still have to register if you were in custody or on supervision on/after 01-01-1997.
See applicability in § 29-4003 and juvenile note in NSP FAQ.
Deadlines & Reporting Triggers
- Initial: within 3 working days of becoming subject, at an NSP-designated site; if incarcerated, register before release. See § 29-4004(1) and NSP About.
- Address move within Nebraska: notify current sheriff in person within 3 working days before the move and register with the new county sheriff within 3 working days after. See § 29-4004(3).
- Moving out of Nebraska: notify your county sheriff in person within 3 working days before the move; patrol notifies other jurisdictions. See § 29-4004(4).
- Employment/school start or changes: notify the sheriff within 3 working days. See § 29-4004(5)–(6).
What this means in practice
- Register within 3 working days of becoming subject (or before release).
- Report address, job, or school changes within 3 working days; special timing applies before/after a move inside Nebraska.
- Tell the sheriff before you move out of state.
Watch-outs
- ‘Working days’ are Monday–Friday, excluding Nebraska holidays (per state FAQ).
Verification & In-Person Requirements
- 15-year registrants verify annually in the birth month; 25-year verify semiannually (birth month and 6 months later); lifetime verify every 3 months. All are in person to the county sheriff. See § 29-4006(3)–(5).
- Name changes must be reported in person within 3 working days, with documentation. See § 29-4006(11).
What this means in practice
- Show up in person to the county sheriff on your schedule (yearly, twice yearly, or every 3 months depending on duration).
- Bring ID; your photo/fingerprints may be taken.
Watch-outs
- Missing a check-in is a crime and pauses the clock on your total registration time.
Schedules in § 29-4006(3)–(5); recalculation in § 29-4005(3).
Residency, Presence, & Loitering Restrictions
Maintain current residence, temporary domicile, or habitual living location on file; report changes in person within 3 working days (special timing before intra-Nebraska moves). Definitions, including “temporary domicile” (≥ 3 working days), are in § 29-4001.01 and duties in § 29-4004.
What this means in practice
- Report any change in residence, temporary domicile, or habitual living location on time.
- If you’re without a fixed address, you must update at least every 30 days until you have one.
Watch-outs
- A ‘temporary domicile’ is 3 working days or more in one place.
Definitions at § 29-4001.01; duties at § 29-4004; 30-day homeless check-in in court form CC-6:9.
Employment, Education, & Internet Use
- Report Nebraska employment/vocation or school within 3 working days; nonresidents who work or attend school in Nebraska must register in person with the local sheriff. See § 29-4004(5)–(6).
- Certain Internet identifiers may be collected and some released to the public consistent with rules. See § 29-4009 and § 29-4013.
What this means in practice
- Starting or changing a job or school in Nebraska must be reported within 3 working days.
- Live elsewhere but work/go to school in Nebraska? You still must register in person here.
Watch-outs
- Online identifiers can be collected and some may be publicly released under Nebraska law.
Employment/school reporting in § 29-4004(5)–(6) and public-release categories in § 29-4009.
Public Website Exposure
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What this means in practice
- Your info appears on the public registry, searchable by name, region, or map.
- Victim names are never posted.
Watch-outs
- Employers can appear on the public site; plan disclosures accordingly.
Public site at sor.nebraska.gov and statutory release rules at § 29-4009.
Travel & Relocation (Interstate Moves)
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What this means in practice
- Tell the sheriff before leaving Nebraska; then register in your new state as required.
- Keep proof that the new state accepted your registration.
Watch-outs
- If plans change (date/address), update Nebraska immediately.
Outbound move notice in § 29-4004(4).
Visiting or Traveling in the State
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What this means in practice
- Short visits under the 3-day thresholds don’t trigger Nebraska registration.
- If you stay ≥ 3 working days (temporary address) or 3 days (habitual living), you must register.
Watch-outs
- Count carefully around weekends/holidays; Nebraska uses working days for some triggers.
Thresholds explained in NSP FAQ and terms in § 29-4001.01.
Compliance & Enforcement
Violations (failure to register/update/verify, falsification) are a Class IIIA felony; Class IIA with prior SORA violation and a mandatory minimum in most cases. See § 29-4011.
What this means in practice
- Breaking SORA (late, missing, or false info) is a felony.
- Repeat violations can carry a higher felony level and a mandatory minimum sentence.
Watch-outs
- If you miss a verification or update, your registration clock stops running until you come back into compliance.
- Even small lapses—like failing to report a new email address—can trigger prosecution.
Penalties are defined in § 29-4011, and duration recalculation for noncompliance appears in § 29-4005(3).
Relief Paths
- Fifteen-year registrants may request reduction to 10 years after 10 compliant years post-discharge with proof (no new felonies/sex offenses, completion of supervision/treatment). See § 29-4005(2) and NSP form link at State Patrol.
- Administrative determinations and procedures appear in 272 NAC ch. 19; the Patrol adopts rules for release and registry operations. See § 29-4013 and rules (272 NAC 19).
What this means in practice
- If you are on a 15-year term, you may apply for a reduction to 10 years after 10 full years of compliance post-discharge and completion of treatment.
- Requests go to the Nebraska State Patrol, which uses an internal form for review.
Watch-outs
- Any new felony, sex offense, or noncompliance restarts the clock and makes you ineligible for reduction.
- Lifetime registrants are not eligible for reduction under Nebraska law.
Reduction procedures and limits appear in § 29-4005(2) and the Patrol’s online form guidance at statepatrol.nebraska.gov.
Special Populations
- Juveniles adjudicated in Nebraska juvenile court generally do not register unless tried as adults or entering from another jurisdiction that already requires them. See NSP FAQ and 272 NAC ch. 19.
- Local “sexual predator” residency limits (≤ 500 ft) may apply in some cities. See § 29-4017.
What this means in practice
- Juveniles adjudicated in Nebraska juvenile court generally do not register, unless tried as adults or transferring from another state that already requires registration.
- Some cities may impose 500-foot residency limits on people designated as 'sexual predators.'
Watch-outs
- Local ordinances differ; check with your city attorney before moving.
- A juvenile record that was sealed or expunged elsewhere may still require registration if the person reoffends as an adult.
Juvenile coverage explained in the NSP FAQ and municipal restrictions allowed under § 29-4017.
Costs & Payments
- Registrants may not be charged a registration fee; agencies bear their own costs. See 272 NAC ch. 19, § 009 (reg text).
Recent Changes & Litigation
- Statute: LB 285 — 2009 (effective Jan. 1, 2010); effective 2010-01-01. Shifted to Adam Walsh Act tiering and expanded public posting and verification schedules under SORA. link
- Case: State v. Wilson — Nebraska Supreme Court (2020-06-19) — Sentencing court may make aggravated-offense finding leading to lifetime registration; Patrol must follow that determination. link
- Case: A.W. v. Wood — Eighth Circuit (2017-07-31) — Addressed SORA’s application to an out-of-state juvenile adjudication; Nebraska SORA did not apply on those facts. link
Compliance Checklists & Scripts
New Arrival: First 30 Days
- Confirm your offense is registrable under Nebraska law at § 29-4003.
- Make an initial registration at an NSP site within 3 working days (NSP locations).
- Gather required info: addresses, employment/school, vehicles, IDs, fingerprints/palm prints, photo, and DNA. See § 29-4006(1).
- If homeless, plan to check in at least every 30 days per court form CC-6:9.
Moving Out / Traveling
- Notify your county sheriff in person within 3 working days before leaving Nebraska. See § 29-4004(4).
- Register in the new state as required; keep proof of acceptance by the new jurisdiction.
- Update Nebraska if plans change or if you return.
Records Request Template
To: Nebraska State Patrol, Sex Offender Registration & Community Notification Division
I request copies of my SORA file (all registrations, verifications, updates, notices, and correspondence) under Nebraska public records law. Please include any determinations under § 29-4005 and records maintained per 272 NAC ch. 19. Deliver electronically if possible.
Sincerely,
[Name] [DOB] [Registry ID/SSN last 4] [Contact]Relief Petition Outline
1) Background & compliance chronology (include verification history per § 29-4006)
2) Eligibility for 10-year reduction under § 29-4005(2): ten compliant years post-discharge; no disqualifying convictions; treatment completion
3) Exhibits: discharge documents, treatment proof, criminal history check
4) Proposed order; filing/submit to Patrol using the NSP form linked at State PatrolTips for using these checklists
- The checklists help you register or update correctly, request your own file, or apply for early relief.
- Use the NSP’s published locations and forms for the most current requirements.
Process summaries based on SORA at §§ 29-4001 to 29-4014 and the Patrol’s program materials at statepatrol.nebraska.gov.
Citations
- SORA – general index (§§ 29-4001 to 29-4014)
- Definitions incl. temporary domicile (§ 29-4001.01)
- Who must register; applicability (§ 29-4003)
- Registration & change-reporting duties (§ 29-4004)
- Duration & 10-year reduction (§ 29-4005)
- Verification schedules & procedures (§ 29-4006)
- Public release parameters (§ 29-4009)
- Violations & penalties (§ 29-4011)
- Local residency restrictions (§ 29-4017)
- Admin rules – 272 NAC ch. 19 (scope)
- Admin rules – fee prohibition (§ 009)
- NSP Registry – About / program notes