Key Highlights
- Residency Restrictions: Residents register with the county sheriff within five business days of release, arrival, or relocation per § 29-11A-4(B).
- Presence / Proximity Rules: Non-residents who work or study in NM—and visitors exceeding DPS stay thresholds—must register within five business days; see § 29-11A-4(D) and DPS LERB.
- Duration of Registration: Statute sets 10 years (semiannual) vs. life (quarterly) by offense lists; see § 29-11A-4(L) and § 29-11A-5(D)–(F).
- Tiering / Level System: No numeric tiers—List D requires quarterly-for-life and List E semiannual-for-10-years, with repeats converting to life; see § 29-11A-4(L)–(M) and § 29-11A-5(D)–(E).
At a Glance
- People convicted of qualifying sex offenses who live, work, or study in New Mexico must register. Initial and change reporting timelines are five business days. Out-of-state registrants and higher-ed workers/students have parallel duties. See § 29-11A-4.
- Initial deadline: Within five business days of release to the community, arrival in New Mexico, or placement on supervision; five business days after beginning work/school in NM if a non-resident. See § 29-11A-4(B),(D).
- Verification: Tier-equivalent by statute lists: every 90 days for life for offenses in § 29-11A-5(D); every 6 months for 10 years for offenses in § 29-11A-5(E); out-of-state registrants verify at least semiannually or per the longer applicable duration. See § 29-11A-4(L).
- Primary method: Verification is in person at a DPS-designated location (typically the county sheriff). Certain updates may be sent electronically to DPS. See § 29-11A-4(N)–(O).
- ⚠️ Visitors must register if staying >14 days in one trip or >30 days aggregate in a year (post-7/1/2013 convictions = five-day rule). See DPS FAQ (LERB).
- ⚠️ Changes to any required info (address, employment, school, vehicles, etc.) must be reported within five business days. See § 29-11A-4(F).
- ⚠️ Out-of-state convictions are translated to NM offenses; there is a formal contest procedure under 10.2.3 NMAC. See 10.2.3 NMAC.
- ⚠️ Higher-ed and K-12 disclosure duties within five business days (sheriff + school/registrar). See § 29-11A-4(I)–(J).
- ⚠️ Failure to comply is a felony (repeat offenses escalate). See § 29-11A-4(P)–(Q).
Official Links
What this means in practice
- New Mexico runs on five-business-day clocks and requires in-person verification. Offense lists in the statute drive whether you’re quarterly for life or semiannual for 10 years. The state publishes info online for many registrants.
Watch-outs
- Travelers can trigger registration by length of stay.
- Any change—address, school, work—has a five-day deadline.
Timelines and cadence come straight from § 29-11A-4; public site/notification from § 29-11A-5.1; DPS program details at LERB.
Reviewed 10/17/2025
Who Must Register & Duration
Registration covers persons convicted in NM or another jurisdiction of offenses enumerated in § 29-11A-5(D)–(E) and out-of-state equivalents. Non-residents employed or attending school in NM must register. See § 29-11A-4(D) and § 29-11A-5.
Duration: Statute sets 10 years (semiannual) vs. life (quarterly) by offense lists; see § 29-11A-4(L) and § 29-11A-5(D)–(F).
What this means in practice
- If your conviction matches NM’s listed offenses—or an out-of-state equivalent—you must register. Non-residents working or studying in NM also register.
Watch-outs
- DPS can translate out-of-state convictions into NM equivalents; there’s a rule-based process to contest.
See the offense lists/retention in § 29-11A-5 and non-resident workers/students in § 29-11A-4(D); contest procedure is 10.2.3 NMAC.
Deadlines & Reporting Triggers
- Initial registration: within five business days after release, arrival, probation/parole start, or beginning work/school. See § 29-11A-4(B),(D).
- Changes to required info: within five business days. See § 29-11A-4(F).
- Move to a new county: register with new county sheriff within five business days and notify the former county within five business days. See § 29-11A-4(G).
- Homeless/multiple locations: register each address/temporary location; updates within five business days of changes. See § 29-11A-4(H).
- Higher-ed/K-12 disclosures: within five business days of starting or changing status. See § 29-11A-4(I)–(J).
What this means in practice
- Initial register within five business days. Report any changes within five business days. Moving counties requires registering in the new county and notifying the old—both within five business days.
Watch-outs
- Homeless or multiple locations must be listed and kept current.
All deadlines appear in § 29-11A-4(B),(F)–(H).
Verification & In-Person Requirements
- Life/quarterly: offenses listed in § 29-11A-5(D) verify every 90 days for life. See § 29-11A-4(L)(1).
- Ten-year/semiannual: offenses in § 29-11A-5(E) verify every 6 months for 10 years (repeat convictions convert to life/quarterly). See § 29-11A-4(L)(2),(M).
- Out-of-state registrants: verify at the longer of NM-equivalent duration or convicting jurisdiction’s schedule, but no less than semiannually. See § 29-11A-4(L)(3).
- Method: appear in person at a DPS-designated location; DPS mails a verification form ~15 days before due. See § 29-11A-4(N).
What this means in practice
- Quarterly for life (serious offenses), semiannual for 10 years (other listed offenses), and at least semiannual for out-of-state registrants unless their home schedule is stricter/longer.
Watch-outs
- Missing a verification is a felony. DPS mails forms but you must appear even if mail doesn’t arrive.
Cadence and appearance rules are in § 29-11A-4(L)–(N).
Residency, Presence, & Loitering Restrictions
Residents register with the sheriff of the county of residence. Non-residents working or studying in NM must register in the county of employment/school. Homeless or multi-location living requires registering each address/temporary location. See § 29-11A-4(B),(D),(H).
What this means in practice
- Residents register with the county sheriff. Non-residents who work or study in NM must register in the work/school county. Homeless or multi-location requires listing each spot.
Watch-outs
- Changing residence across county lines triggers new registration plus notice to the former county.
Employment, Education, & Internet Use
- Employment & vocation: disclose in writing immediately to employer/supervisor and register changes within five business days. See § 29-11A-4(K).
- Institutions of higher education: disclose within five business days to sheriff, campus law enforcement, and registrar; report changes within five business days. See § 29-11A-4(I).
- K–12 schools: disclose to sheriff and principal within five business days and at changes. See § 29-11A-4(J).
What this means in practice
- Tell your employer/supervisor immediately in writing when you start work or volunteering. Higher-ed and K-12 require five-day disclosures to sheriff and the school.
Watch-outs
- Report changes within five business days to all required entities.
Employer disclosure is § 29-11A-4(K); higher-ed/K-12 are § 29-11A-4(I)–(J).
Public Website Exposure
- DPS must operate a public website for certain registered offenders and may conduct active community notification. Youthful offenders adjudicated as youthful offenders generally excluded unless court finds non-amenability/danger. See § 29-11A-5.1(A),(B).
- DPS explains the website pipeline (county entry → DPS → NCIC/NSOPW). See LERB overview and NSOPW.
What this means in practice
- DPS runs a public website and may do active notices. Certain youth cases are excluded unless the court makes specific findings.
Watch-outs
- Local portals (e.g., Albuquerque) don’t show every registrant.
Public website and exclusions are in § 29-11A-5.1; DPS overview at LERB.
Travel & Relocation (Interstate Moves)
- Moving out of NM: DPS provides written notice of the destination state’s duties; follow § 29-11A-4.1 procedures. See § 29-11A-4.1.
- Entering NM from another state: initial registration within five business days of arrival; out-of-state equivalency may be contested under 10.2.3 NMAC. See § 29-11A-4(B) and 10.2.3 NMAC.
What this means in practice
- Leaving NM? DPS gives written info about the new state’s rules. Entering NM? Register within five business days and follow NM verification rules.
Watch-outs
- Rules change across states—confirm before travel.
See § 29-11A-4.1 and § 29-11A-4(B),(L)(3).
Visiting or Traveling in the State
- Short-term visits: DPS guidance—registration required if staying more than 14 days in one visit or more than 30 days aggregate in a calendar year (post-7/1/2013 convictions have a five-day trigger). See LERB FAQ.
- Verification while visiting long-term follows the out-of-state registrant rule (at least semiannual, or home-state schedule if stricter). See § 29-11A-4(L)(3).
What this means in practice
- Visitors must register if staying >14 days in one visit or >30 days total in a year (post-2013 convictions: five-day clock).
Watch-outs
- Long stays can also trigger verification duties while in NM.
DPS states the 14/30-day visitor thresholds; see LERB FAQ. Verification baseline for out-of-state registrants is in § 29-11A-4(L)(3).
Compliance & Enforcement
Willful failure to register, verify, or update is a fourth-degree felony; subsequent violations are third-degree. Providing false information is a fourth-degree felony. See § 29-11A-4(P)–(Q). DPS and sheriffs manage entries; DPS integrates with NCIC/NSOPW. See § 29-11A-5 and LERB.
What this means in practice
- Failing to register/verify/update or giving false info is a felony. Penalties escalate on repeat violations.
Watch-outs
- Each missed act can be treated as part of a continuing occurrence.
Penalties and ‘continuing occurrence’ language are in § 29-11A-4(P)–(Q).
Relief Paths
- Duration by statute lists: offenses in § 29-11A-5(E) register 10 years; certain repeat offenses and § 29-11A-5(D) are lifetime. No general petition-off ramp in statute. See § 29-11A-5(D)–(F).
- Out-of-state equivalency reconsideration/hearing under 10.2.3 NMAC, with judicial review. See 10.2.3.9–.10 NMAC.
What this means in practice
- Durations are set by statute lists (10 years vs. life). NM has no general petition to shorten terms. You can contest out-of-state equivalency determinations.
Watch-outs
- A second conviction under the 10-year list converts to life plus quarterly verification.
See § 29-11A-5(D)–(F) and contest process in 10.2.3 NMAC.
Special Populations
- Youthful offenders: excluded from public website unless court finds not amenable to treatment and dangerous. See § 29-11A-5.1(B).
- Homeless/unstably housed: must register each address/temporary location and update within five business days. See § 29-11A-4(H).
- Higher-education and K-12: additional disclosure duties within five business days. See § 29-11A-4(I)–(J).
What this means in practice
- Youthful offenders are generally not on the public site unless the court finds non-amenability/danger. Homeless and students have extra listing/disclosure steps.
Watch-outs
- Youth cases still carry registration duties even if not public-facing.
Youth website exclusion: § 29-11A-5.1(B); homeless and student rules: § 29-11A-4(H),(I)–(J).
Costs & Payments
- State law does not set a universal registration fee; expect DNA sample at initial registration as required information. See § 29-11A-4(B)(3).
- County practices may impose incidental administrative costs (e.g., fingerprinting/records). Check your county sheriff. See examples at county pages.
Recent Changes & Litigation
- Rule: 10.2.3 NMAC (Out-of-State Equivalency Contest Procedure); effective 2021-07-01. Creates notice/hearing/judicial review process to contest DPS determinations that an out-of-state conviction is equivalent to an NM registrable offense. link
- Statute: HB 570 (2013) — 2013 Regular Session; effective 2013-07-01. Amended SORNA to five business day deadlines, added verification schedule and electronic update provisions; aligned retention and website rules. link
Compliance Checklists & Scripts
New Arrival: First 30 Days
- Call the county sheriff where you reside (or will reside) to schedule initial registration within five business days. See § 29-11A-4(B).
- Bring required info: IDs, addresses (physical + mailing + places you habitually live), employment/school, vehicle details, internet identifiers if requested by form, and be prepared to give a DNA sample. See § 29-11A-4(B).
- Ask the office to confirm your verification cycle (quarterly for life vs. semiannual for 10 years) per § 29-11A-4(L) and provide your next due date notice.
- If your conviction is from another jurisdiction and DPS says you must register, review the 10.2.3 NMAC contest steps. See rule text.
- Bookmark the DPS Sex Offender Registry info and the public search portal. See LERB and OffenderWatch.
Moving Out / Traveling
- Before moving, ask DPS/sheriff about destination-state duties; DPS provides written notice under § 29-11A-4.1. See text.
- File all change notices within five business days and complete any required NM check-outs. See § 29-11A-4(F),(G).
- Contact the receiving state’s registry before arrival to avoid gaps; bring proof of NM compliance (last verification, ID, judgment).
Records Request Template
Subject: IPRA Request – SORNA Records (Registrant)
To: DPS Law Enforcement Records Bureau (dps.ipra@dps.nm.gov)
Under the Inspection of Public Records Act, I request copies of my registration records, verification logs, notices, and any DPS/sheriff correspondence related to my file.
Please provide electronic copies and advise of any allowable costs before fulfilling. If portions are exempt, please redact and cite the specific statutory basis.
Name / DOB / Last known registration county:
Contact email/phone:
Thank you.
(See AG’s IPRA guide for process details: OAG IPRA Guide.Relief Petition Outline
Note: NM law provides fixed durations (10 years or life) by offense lists and does not include a general petition mechanism to shorten registration. Potential avenues are limited to challenging equivalency under 10.2.3 NMAC, correcting records via IPRA, or pursuing post-conviction relief affecting the underlying conviction. See § 29-11A-5(D)–(F) and 10.2.3 NMAC.Tips for using these checklists
- Use the arrival and move-out steps to stay ahead of the five-day clocks and to document compliance (save receipts and copies).
- When in doubt, call the county sheriff and cross-check with DPS LERB.
Checklist steps mirror the statute and DPS guidance: § 29-11A-4 and LERB.
Citations
- NM SORNA – Article 11A (index)
- § 29-11A-4 – Registration; verification; penalties
- § 29-11A-4.1 – Moving out procedures
- § 29-11A-5 – Local/central registry; retention lists
- § 29-11A-5.1 – Public website; notification
- 10.2.3 NMAC – Contest out-of-state equivalency
- DPS LERB – Registry program & FAQ
- OffenderWatch – NM public registry portal
- NSOPW – national public registry
- 2013 HB 570 – SORNA amendments