DC
District of Columbia
The law requires visitors to register, but the trigger isn't clear.
Registration in DC turns on living, residing, working, or attending school there, and the law sets no day count for residing. Once triggered, they must notify CSOSA within 3 days; work over 14 days, or 30 aggregate days a year, also triggers it. The statutes read impose no school, park, or Halloween presence restrictions, though supervision conditions and federal property rules may still apply.
Registering as a visitor
- When it's required
- Required, but the law doesn't state a clear number of days.
- Deadline
- Registration is triggered by entering DC to live, reside, work, or attend school. Once triggered, notify CSOSA within 3 days and then meet with a responsible officer, provide information, and cooperate with photographing and fingerprinting.
- Where
- CSOSA (Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency) Sex Offender Registry Unit, not MPD
- Also required if
- Working in DC, paid or unpaid, for more than 14 calendar days, or more than 30 aggregate days in a calendar year
- Enrolling full-time or part-time in any public or private educational institution in DC (no minimum days)
Public registry
The law doesn't clearly say whether visitors appear on the public registry.
Internet posting by MPD is limited to Class A and Class B offenders; Class C registrants are not on the public website but are subject to passive notification (station-house lists, responses to inquiries) and targeted active notification. Nothing read addresses how quickly a departed nonresident is removed from the public site. Under § 22-4011(f), MPD must withhold public release while a registrant contests the determination until the Superior Court certifies registration or the challenge lapses.
Places registrants can't go
No statewide presence restrictions found. Cities and counties may have their own.
Laws cited
- D.C. Official Code § 22-4001 (definitions) · D.C. Council, Code Library
- D.C. Official Code § 22-4011 (community notification) · D.C. Council, Code Library
- 28 C.F.R. Part 811 §§ 811.1–811.7 · U.S. Government Publishing Office (eCFR)
Last checked September 19, 2026 · full review September 19, 2026
Research notes
"Live"/"reside" is undefined in D.C. law with no day threshold, so short or extended visits are ambiguous; CSOSA should be contacted directly. Presence restrictions were not fully verified: §§ 22-4002, 22-4007, 22-4014, 22-4015, 28 C.F.R. §§ 811.9–811.14, and 6A DCMR Ch. 4 were not read, and 6A DCMR Ch. 4 is the likeliest place a day-count would appear. § 22-4001 was amended June 8, 2024 (D.C. Law 25-175); versions were not compared line by line. Registration obligation ends on departure and resumes on re-entry for a qualifying purpose (28 C.F.R. § 811.6(d)). Not legal advice.
Common questions
Do registered sex offenders have to register when visiting District of Columbia?
Visitors must register in some circumstances, but the law doesn't set a clear number of days. Registration is triggered by entering DC to live, reside, work, or attend school. Once triggered, notify CSOSA within 3 days and then meet with a responsible officer, provide information, and cooperate with photographing and fingerprinting.
Will a visiting registrant appear on District of Columbia's public registry?
District of Columbia's law doesn't clearly say whether visitors appear on the public registry.
Are there places registrants can't go in District of Columbia?
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.