New Jersey — Registry Rules

• Who: People convicted, adjudicated delinquent, or found not guilty by reason of insanity for listed sex offenses must register; out-of-state students/workers meeting thresholds must also register; see N.J.S.A. 2C:7-2.
• Initial deadline: Deadline: Register before release from confinement and also within 48 hours after release; movers into NJ register within 10 days of first residing; see 2C:7-2(c)(2)–(3).
• Verification: Verification: Address verification every 90 days for certain categories and annually for others, in the manner prescribed by the Attorney General; see 2C:7-2(e).
• Primary method: Method: In person with local police (or NJSP where no local force). State forms state you must personally register, re-register, and verify; see NJSP acknowledgment form and 2C:7-2(c).
• ⚠️ Give 10 days’ advance notice before moving; re-register in the new town; see 2C:7-2(d)(1).
• ⚠️ Report employment or school changes within 5 days; see 2C:7-2(d)(1).
• ⚠️ Certain registrants verify every 90 days; missing a window is a third-degree crime; see 2C:7-2(e).
• ⚠️ Students/workers from out-of-state can trigger NJ duties (e.g., >14 consecutive days or >30 aggregate days/year); see 2C:7-2(a)(2), (c)(5)–(6).
• ⚠️ Internet registry exposure varies by tier and statutory criteria; see 2C:7-13 and NJSP SOIR.

Scope: Covered offenses are listed in 2C:7-2(b). Non-residents must register if they work or attend school in NJ beyond thresholds; see 2C:7-2(a)(2), (c)(5)–(6). Public website posting is governed by the Internet Registry Act at 2C:7-12 to -19.

Duration: Registration continues for life unless ended by court after 15 years offense-free with proof of no danger; repeat or barred offenses remain permanent under 2C:7-2(f)–(g).

• Initial: Register before release and also within 48 hours after release; movers into NJ register within 10 days; see 2C:7-2(c)(2)–(3).
• Move: Notify current agency and re-register ≥10 days before first residing at the new address; see 2C:7-2(d)(1).
• Employment/School: Report status changes within 5 days; see 2C:7-2(d)(1).
• Higher-Ed: Also register with campus police within 10 days of starting; see 2C:7-2(c)(7).
• Tech Access: Provide information on internet-capable device access and update on change; violations are a third-degree crime; see 2C:7-2(d)(2).

• Cadence: Verify address every 90 days or annually depending on subsection (e) category; see 2C:7-2(e).
• Format: State materials instruct personal registration/re-registration/verification with police; keep receipts; see NJSP acknowledgment form.
• Consequence: Failure to verify as prescribed is a third-degree crime; see 2C:7-2(e).

Residency: No statewide residency ban. Municipal buffer-zone ordinances are preempted by state law; see G.H. v. Township of Galloway. Registry and notification remain governed by 2C:7-1 to -11.

• Students/Workers (from out-of-state): Registration required if employed >14 consecutive days or >30 aggregate days/year, or enrolled in school; see 2C:7-2(a)(2), (c)(5)–(6).
• Higher-Ed on campus: Also register with the institution’s police within 10 days; see 2C:7-2(c)(7).
• Internet access/devices: Must disclose routine access/use and update on change; see 2C:7-2(d)(2).

• Internet Registry: Posting rules are in 2C:7-13. Tier-3 are posted; Tier-2 often posted; certain Tier-2/low-risk may be posted if statutory criteria met (e.g., repetitive/compulsive under 2C:47-3).
• Search site: See the NJ State Police Sex Offender Internet Registry.
• Recent clarification: NJ Supreme Court addressed proofs and challenges for Internet listing under 2C:7-13(b)(2).

• Short visits: NJ law does not impose a days-limit for casual travel, but work/school thresholds can trigger duties; see 2C:7-2(a)(2).
• Leaving NJ: Maintain compliance in destination state. Internet posting in NJ persists while obligated here; see 2C:7-12 to -19.

• Students/Workers visiting NJ: If your non-resident stay meets employment or school thresholds, register within 10 days with local police; see 2C:7-2(c)(5)–(6).
• Higher-Ed visitors: Also register with campus police within 10 days if the institution has a police unit; see 2C:7-2(c)(7).

Penalties: Failure to register/notify/verify as required is a third-degree crime; see 2C:7-2(a)(3), (d)(1), (e). Community notification and Internet registry are administered per statute and Attorney General guidance; see 2C:7-8 to -10 and AG Guidelines.

• 15-year petition: Court may terminate registration after 15 offense-free years and a finding the person is not likely to pose a threat; ineligible if more than one sex offense or for specified crimes (e.g., aggravated sexual assault, certain sexual assaults); see 2C:7-2(f)–(g).
• Internet listing challenges: Standards for Internet publication under [2C:7-13(b)(2)] clarified by the NJ Supreme Court; see In re Registrant R.S..
• Agency resources: NJSP explains removal scenarios and relief overview; see SOIR important information.

• Juveniles: Juveniles adjudicated delinquent for covered offenses may be subject to registration; relief rules still hinge on 2C:7-2(f)–(g).
• Higher-education affiliates: Additional campus registration within 10 days applies; see 2C:7-2(c)(7).

• Fees: No routine statewide registration fee is specified in 2C:7-2. Separate monthly penalties for certain offenders may exist under parole statutes; check N.J.S.A. 30:4-123.97.

• Statute: P.L.2024, c.92 (S2652) — 221st Legislature; effective 2024-07-01. Amended 2C:7-2 and related child-exploitation provisions; updated offense coverage and cross-references. link
• Case: In the Matter of Registrant R.S. — New Jersey Supreme Court (2024-07-02) — Clarified standards and burdens for Internet publication under 2C:7-13(b)(2) and registrants’ ability to challenge proof. link
• Case: G.H. v. Township of Galloway — New Jersey Supreme Court (2009-05-07) — Municipal residency-restriction ordinances are preempted by Megan’s Law. link