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DE

Delaware

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

Delaware treats visitors as temporary residents once they are present more than 7 days, or more than 30 aggregate days in a year, or if they work or study there. Registration is in person with the State Bureau of Identification, with sources disagreeing on a 3- or 7-business-day deadline. Registrants may not reside in or loiter within 500 feet of a school, and temporary lodging counts as residing.

Registering as a visitor

When it's required
After 7 days.
Deadline
Registration is required after more than 7 days' presence (or more than 30 aggregate days in 12 months); sources conflict on whether the deadline is 3 or 7 business days after becoming a temporary resident.
Where
In person at a designated Delaware State Police facility; handled by the State Bureau of Identification (SBI)
Also required if
  • More than an aggregate of 30 days in any 12-month period
  • Employment or work in Delaware, with no minimum duration
  • Enrollment as a full- or part-time student in Delaware

Public registry

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

11 Del. C. § 4121 creates public searchable records; secondary sources indicate the public website covers Tier II and Tier III, with Tier I available through police. Community notification applies to Tier II/III, including schools and employers. Nothing read states a listing is removed when a visitor leaves, though change of address must be reported even if the new residence is out of state.

Places registrants can't go

  • School property (preschool through secondary/vocational, or institutions primarily educating children under 16)Residing on or within 500 feet is a class G felony; loitering on or within 500 feet is a class F felony. 'Reside' includes occupying a dwelling as a temporary place of abode, so hotels or short stays count. Lack of knowledge of the school's proximity is not a defense.Applies to: Any person meeting the § 4121 'sex offender' definition, including out-of-state, military, and foreign convictions

Laws cited

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

Research notes

No official Delaware government page loaded successfully; delcode.delaware.gov returned empty content and only search excerpts were seen. Statutory text relied on Justia mirrors. The registration deadline is unresolved: 3 business days (current code excerpt) vs 7 business days (older session law) vs Title 21's '7 days' formulation. Whether the 7-day trigger means consecutive days is inference, not statutory text; the 30-day prong is expressly cumulative. No park, playground, day-care, or Halloween statute was found, but a § 1112A-type provision and municipal ordinances were not checked. Supervision conditions and interstate compact rules may impose further restrictions. Reference only, not legal advice. [Reviewer 2026-09-19: public listing changed from long_term to unknown: the statute is silent on removing visitors, which isn't evidence that they stay listed.]

Common questions

Do registered sex offenders have to register when visiting Delaware?

Visitors must register after 7 days. Registration is required after more than 7 days' presence (or more than 30 aggregate days in 12 months); sources conflict on whether the deadline is 3 or 7 business days after becoming a temporary resident.

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

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

Are there places registrants can't go in Delaware?

The state restricts registrants from: school property (preschool through secondary/vocational, or institutions primarily educating children under 16). Details and who they apply to are listed on this page.

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.