Mississippi

Visitors must register within about 3 days, or are publicly listed long after leaving.

Visitors register after3 days or less

Mississippi requires registration by anyone who lodges 7 or more aggregate days in a six-month period, or who works, volunteers or attends school there. Registration means notifying MDPS in advance, appearing before the sheriff and a Driver's License station, and re-registering every 90 days. Once listed, they remain on the public registry after leaving, annotated as moved out of state.

Registering as a visitor

When it's required

After 7 days, counted in total over a 6 months.

Deadline

Someone moving to or returning to Mississippi should notify MDPS 10 days before first residing in a county, register with the county sheriff within 3 business days, and personally appear at a Driver's License station within 10 days ($11 fee, DNA sample). If the duty attaches while already in-state, registration with the sheriff is within 3 business days. Re-registration is in person every 90 days.

Where

Sheriff of the county of residence and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety; personal appearance at any MDPS Driver's License station

Also required if

Employment or practicing a vocation in Mississippi for any period, full- or part-time
Attending school, or being a student, employee, volunteer, tradesman or professional at any Mississippi school
Military personnel on assignment in the state
Out-of-state conviction for which registration is required in the convicting jurisdiction
14 or more aggregate days in six months establishes permanent residence

Public registry

Visitors who register can stay on the public registry long after leaving.

Miss. Code Ann. § 45-33-47(2)(i) requires MDPS to keep listing registrants who no longer work, reside or attend school in the state, noting they moved out of state. There is no visitor carve-out; removal requires a circuit court petition (Tier One 15 years, Tier Two 25 years, Tier Three lifetime).

Places registrants can't go

Schools (public or private preschool, elementary, secondary) — buildings, property, and school conveyancesUnlawful to be present when persons under 18 are present; unlawful to loiter within 500 feet of a school building or school property while persons under 18 are present. Exemptions for parents/guardians of enrolled students with notice to the principal, and for enrolled registrants. Nothing bars presence at a school used as a polling place. Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 and/or 6 months.Applies to: Any person required to register as a sex offender under § 45-33-25, whether or not under supervision
Public beaches and public campgrounds where minor children congregateUnlawful to visit or be in or about them without advance approval from the Director of the DPS Sex Offender Registry; any incidental contact with minor children must be immediately reported to the Director.Applies to: Any person required to register as a sex offender under § 45-33-25
Residences near schools, child care facilities, playgrounds and recreational facilities used by minorsResidency (not presence) restriction: registrants may not reside within 3,000 feet, with grandfathering and other exceptions. Relevant to a visitor if lodging counts as a temporary residence.Applies to: Registered sex offenders under § 45-33-25(4)

Laws cited

Miss. Code Ann. §§ 45-33-23, 45-33-47 (text reprinted in 2025 HB 1308 Committee Substitute) · Mississippi Legislature
Mississippi Sex Offender Registry, Frequently Asked Questions · Mississippi Department of Public Safety
Miss. Code Ann. § 45-33-26 · Justia (unofficial)

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

Research notes

Sections 45-33-25, 45-33-26 and 45-33-27 could not be read on an official state host; § 45-33-26 was read on Justia and the §§ 45-33-25/-27 details come from the official DPS FAQ. The DPS FAQ says 'seven consecutive days,' which conflicts with the statute's 'seven or more aggregate days in a six month period'; the statute controls. Public-disclosure mechanics (§§ 45-33-49/-51) were not verified in official text. No Halloween-specific rule was found. Amendments after the 2025 HB 1308 printing (e.g., 2026 HB 843) are not reflected. Supervision or interstate compact conditions may be stricter.

Common questions

Do registered sex offenders have to register when visiting Mississippi?

Visitors must register after 7 days, counted in total over a 6 months. Someone moving to or returning to Mississippi should notify MDPS 10 days before first residing in a county, register with the county sheriff within 3 business days, and personally appear at a Driver's License station within 10 days ($11 fee, DNA sample). If the duty attaches while already in-state, registration with the sheriff is within 3 business days. Re-registration is in person every 90 days.

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

Visitors who register can stay on Mississippi's public registry long after leaving.

Are there places registrants can't go in Mississippi?

The state restricts registrants from: schools (public or private preschool, elementary, secondary) — buildings, property, and school conveyances; public beaches and public campgrounds where minor children congregate; residences near schools, child care facilities, playgrounds and recreational facilities used by minors. 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.