Sex Offender Registration in Arizona
Registration questions can feel overwhelming, whether you are facing a charge, nearing release or have been registered for years. Clear answers about what the law requires can help you avoid a new charge and plan your next steps.
We can help. Nova Law Group was built by a former Maricopa County Attorney’s Office felony prosecutor. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, and we take a meticulous, aggressive approach, fighting from every angle, because the report is only one side of the story.
Talk to us before you talk to anyone else. Call (480) 405-6767. Consultations are free and confidential, and the earlier we are involved, the more we can do.
At a glance
- The law: A.R.S. § 13-3821 sets who must register. Updates, penalties and notification are in A.R.S. § 13-3822, A.R.S. § 13-3824, A.R.S. § 13-3825 and A.R.S. § 13-3827.
- Who must register: A person convicted of, or found guilty except insane of, a listed offense or an attempt. A judge may also order registration for other sexual offenses.
- Key deadlines: Register with the sheriff within ten days after the conviction, and report a move or name change within 72 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays.
- If you fail to comply: A class 4 felony under § 13-3824(A), or a class 6 felony for missing the annual renewal.
- What to do now: If you are unsure whether you must register or whether your information is current, get advice before a deadline passes.
Who must register
Section 13-3821(A) lists the offenses that require registration, including attempts. The list includes sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor, molestation of a child, continuous sexual abuse of a child, sexual abuse of a minor, sexual exploitation and commercial sexual exploitation of a minor, child sex trafficking, luring and aggravated luring, and kidnapping or unlawful imprisonment of a minor when not committed by a parent. It also covers certain repeat indecent exposure and public sexual indecency offenses, sexual extortion of a victim under 15, and convictions for failing to register or update.
There are three other ways the duty can arise:
- Judge's discretion: Under § 13-3821(C), a judge sentencing any offense in the sexual offenses chapters, or any offense with a finding of sexual motivation, "may require" registration.
- Juveniles: Under § 13-3821(D), a juvenile court may require registration for a delinquency adjudication. That duty ends at age 25. See juvenile delinquency.
- Nonresidents: Under § 13-3821(E), a person required to register in another state must register here if they work or study in Arizona for more than 14 consecutive days, or more than 30 days in a calendar year.
What registration requires
| Duty | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Initial registration with the county sheriff | Within ten days after conviction; or within 72 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays, after entering and staying in a county for at least 72 hours | § 13-3821(A) |
| Annual in-person report and a new ID card or driver license | Every year, in your birth month | § 13-3821(J) |
| Move or name change | Within 72 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays, in person and in writing | § 13-3822(A) |
| No permanent address | Register as a transient at least every 90 days | § 13-3822(A) |
| New or changed online identifier | Within 72 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays, and before using it | § 13-3822(C) |
The license issued under § 13-3821(J) is valid for one year, and you must carry it. Federal law adds its own duties. Under 34 U.S.C. § 20913, a registrant must keep registration current where they live, work and go to school, and update it within 3 business days after a change of name, residence, employment or student status.
Community notification and the website
After a risk assessment, the local law enforcement agency places each registrant in a notification level (§ 13-3825(D), (E)). If the agency cannot get enough information to complete the assessment, the statute says it "shall categorize the offender as a level two offender." The agency must notify the community within 45 days.
| Level | Notification under § 13-3825(C) |
|---|---|
| Level two and level three, and level one with a dangerous crime against children conviction | Nonelectronic notice to the neighborhood, area schools, community groups and prospective employers, and to a child's school if the registrant has legal custody |
| Level one, no dangerous crime against children conviction | The agency keeps the information, may share it with other agencies, and may notify the people the registrant lives with |
Under § 13-3827(A), the public website includes level two and level three registrants. It also includes adults convicted of certain listed offenses regardless of level, such as sexual assault, and others when the victim was under 12 or the offender was 21 or older and sentenced under A.R.S. § 13-705. The listing shows name, address, age, a photo and the offense, and it does not apply while a person is in state prison.
Penalties for failing to register
Under § 13-3824(A), failing to comply with the registration article is a class 4 felony. Missing the annual report under § 13-3821(J) is a class 6 felony, with a $250 assessment that the court "shall not waive" (§ 13-3824(B)).
- Class 4 felony, first offense: 1 to 3.75 years, 2.5 presumptive, under A.R.S. § 13-702(D).
- Class 6 felony, first offense: .33 to 2 years, 1 year presumptive, under § 13-702(D).
- Federal: A person who travels between states and knowingly fails to register or update can face up to 10 years under 18 U.S.C. § 2250.
A conviction for failing to register is itself a registration offense under § 13-3821(A). A conviction under § 2250 is also a deportable offense under 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(A)(v). If you are not a U.S. citizen, talk to an immigration lawyer before you accept any plea.
Can registration end?
- Juvenile cases: A duty based on a juvenile adjudication ends at age 25 (§ 13-3821(D), (F)).
- Offense before age 18: The court may terminate the duty on successful completion of probation if you were under 18 when the offense was committed (§ 13-3821(G)).
- Court hearing: Under § 13-3821(H), the court may suspend or terminate the duty after a hearing held under a separate statute, which has its own eligibility rules.
- Ten-year rule: For unlawful imprisonment or kidnapping of a minor, registration lasts ten years from release from custody or supervision, once restitution is paid and absent new convictions. A prior qualifying conviction makes it lifelong (§ 13-3821(M)).
For other registrants, § 13-3821 does not list an end date. A set-aside is not available for an offense that requires registration (A.R.S. § 13-905(P)), so the duty is not removed that way. Avoiding jail is not the same as avoiding a conviction. A plea that avoids jail can still require registration for years, so registration should be part of every plea discussion. See record sealing and set-asides for related options.
How we help
- Before a plea: We check whether an offense requires registration under § 13-3821(A) or would leave it to the judge under § 13-3821(C), and we factor that into negotiations.
- At sentencing: Where registration is discretionary, we can present evidence and argument against it.
- Compliance questions: Moves, travel, new jobs, school and new online accounts all have deadlines. We can help you understand them before you act.
- Failure-to-register charges: We review whether a duty applied, what notice you received and what the records show. Learn more about sex crimes defense.
- Ending the duty: If you were a juvenile or under 18 at the offense, we can review whether termination is available.
Why Nova Law Group
Nova Law Group was built by Ryan Tait, a former Maricopa County Attorney’s Office felony prosecutor. The practice is criminal defense first. We keep caseloads deliberately low, which means the lawyers on your case have time to actually watch the video and read the reports line by line. We take cases to trial when trial is the right pressure. Overcharging happens, and a case that is genuinely prepared for trial changes the conversation with the prosecutor. Most criminal cases are quoted as a flat fee. Consultations are free and confidential.
Common questions
Section 13-3821(A) requires registration with the sheriff within ten days after the conviction or adjudication. If you come into a county and stay at least 72 hours, you must register within 72 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays. If you are released from custody, ask about your deadlines before you leave.
Missing the annual in-person report under § 13-3821(J) is a class 6 felony, with a $250 assessment the court cannot waive. Other failures to comply are a class 4 felony. If you think you have missed a deadline, talk with a lawyer promptly.
The website includes level two and level three registrants and certain adults convicted of listed offenses regardless of level. A level one registrant is included only if the offense is on that list, so the answer depends on the offense and the facts. Your notification level is set by local law enforcement after a risk assessment.
For offenses listed in § 13-3821(A), registration is required by statute. For other sexual offenses and sexual motivation findings, § 13-3821(C) leaves it to the judge. That difference can make the charge in a plea agreement very important.
Sources
Arizona statutes link to the official text on azleg.gov, the Arizona State Legislature’s website. Federal law and general legal references link to Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute (LII). Laws change, so the version in effect on the date of your case controls.
Arizona law (azleg.gov)
- A.R.S. § 13-3821: Persons required to register; procedure; identification card; assessment; definitions
- A.R.S. § 13-3822: Notice of moving from place of residence or change of name, electronic information or vehicle information; forwarding of information
- A.R.S. § 13-3824: Violation; classification; assessment
- A.R.S. § 13-3825: Community notification; definitions
- A.R.S. § 13-3827: Internet sex offender website; investigation of records; immunity; exception; definitions
- A.R.S. § 13-705: Dangerous crimes against children; sentences; definitions
- A.R.S. § 13-702: First time felony offenders; sentencing; definition
- A.R.S. § 13-905: Setting aside judgment of convicted person on discharge; application; release from disabilities; certificate of second chance
Cornell Legal Information Institute
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