Sex Offender Registration

Reducing or dismissing a sex offense conviction will not change the requirement to register as a sex offender.

Currently, the only way to end a sex offender registration requirement is vacatur relief or a governor's pardon.

California currently requires lifetime sex offender registration. Starting January 1, 2021, the lifetime registration requirement will switch to a tier-based system where registration is required for a minimum of ten years, twenty years, or life, based on the offense of conviction and other factors. The Department of Justice will designate current registrants into the appropriate tiers.

Starting July 1, 2021, registrants who have registered for the mandatory minimum number of years may ask the court to stop requiring registration by filing a petition with the court in the county of registration. The court will grant or deny the request based on whether the person met the registration requirements and other factors.

The Judicial Council is developing forms and an information sheet to assist registrants with the petition process.