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CA

California

Visitors must register after staying 4 to 7 days.

We haven't confirmed these rules against the statute text yet. Check the cited laws before relying on them.

Visitors register after4–7 days

California sets no simple tourist day count, but registrants must register within five working days of coming into a city or county where they temporarily reside. Transients entering the state must register within five working days and re-register every 30 days. Work of more than 14 days, or over 30 aggregate days a year, paid or unpaid, also triggers registration.

Registering as a visitor

When it's required
After 5 days.
Deadline
Within five working days of coming into any city, county, or campus where they temporarily reside; transients entering California must register within five working days and re-register at least every 30 days. Registration is in person.
Where
Chief of police of the city of temporary residence, or the county sheriff for unincorporated areas or cities without a police department; also campus police if staying on a UC, CSU, or community college campus.
Also required if
  • Having more than one residence where they regularly reside — registration required in each jurisdiction regardless of number of days or nights spent there (Pen. Code 290.010)
  • Out-of-state residents employed or carrying on a vocation in California, paid or unpaid, for more than 14 days or an aggregate exceeding 30 days in a calendar year (Pen. Code 290.002)
  • Out-of-state residents enrolled in a California educational institution (Pen. Code 290.002, 290.01) — threshold not verified
  • Transient status: if not physically present in one jurisdiction for five consecutive working days, register where physically present on the fifth working day

Public registry

The law doesn't clearly say whether visitors appear on the public registry.

Public disclosure is governed by Penal Code 290.46 and administered by the California DOJ Megan's Law site, but its text was not read. Under SB 384 tiering, not all registrants are displayed; visibility depends on offense and tier. Whether a visitor's listing persists after departure is unverified.

Places registrants can't go

No statewide presence restrictions found. Cities and counties may have their own.

Laws cited

Last checked September 19, 2026 · full review September 19, 2026

Research notes

No official California government source was successfully loaded; all text came from unofficial mirrors, one dated 2014 and predating SB 384 tiering. The 'five working days' figure is a deadline after entering a jurisdiction where a person temporarily resides, not a defined days-of-presence threshold; 'temporarily resides' is undefined by day count, so short hotel-only stays are legally ambiguous and local practice varies. Public listing (§ 290.46) and presence restrictions (§§ 626.81, 653b, 3003.5, 3053.8, local ordinances) were not verified and are omitted rather than asserted. The student registration threshold in §§ 290.002/290.01 is unverified.

Common questions

Do registered sex offenders have to register when visiting California?

Visitors must register after 5 days. Within five working days of coming into any city, county, or campus where they temporarily reside; transients entering California must register within five working days and re-register at least every 30 days. Registration is in person.

Will a visiting registrant appear on California's public registry?

California's law doesn't clearly say whether visitors appear on the public registry.

Are there places registrants can't go in California?

No statewide presence restrictions were found. Cities and counties may have their own.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules may add requirements. Confirm with the state registry agency or an attorney before you travel.