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OH

Ohio

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

Visitors register after3 days or less

Ohio requires a visiting registrant staying in a county more than three days to register in person with that county's sheriff within three days of arrival. Attending school triggers registration immediately, and non-resident work triggers it after 3 days or 14 aggregate days in a year. Ohio's only statewide place rule found is a 1,000-foot residency restriction near schools and child care facilities, not a presence ban.

Registering as a visitor

When it's required
After 3 days.
Deadline
Registration is triggered by being temporarily domiciled in an Ohio county more than three days; they must register in person with the county sheriff within three days of coming into that county.
Where
In person with the sheriff (or sheriff's designee) of each relevant Ohio county
Also required if
  • Attending an Ohio school or institution of higher education, full- or part-time: register immediately upon coming into that county
  • Non-resident employment in Ohio: more than 3 days or an aggregate of 14 or more days in a calendar year, register with sheriff of county of employment
  • Tier III registrants must give written notice of intent to reside at least 20 days before beginning to reside in a county

Public registry

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

Sheriffs forward registration materials to BCI for the state registry under ORC 2950.13, and ORC 2950.081 makes such materials public records included in the internet database. No provision was located removing a visitor's listing on departure; exactly which tiers and addresses appear publicly was not verified on an official source.

Places registrants can't go

  • School, preschool or child care center, children's crisis care facility, residential infant care center premisesNo establishing a residence or occupying residential premises within 1,000 feet; residency-only rule, enforced by civil injunction; it does not bar visiting or brief presence.Applies to: Anyone convicted of or pleading guilty to a sexually oriented or child-victim oriented offense (not tier-limited)

Laws cited

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

Research notes

Only 2950.04 was read in full on the official site; 2950.041 and 2950.034 were read as official-site excerpts. Official text of 2950.01 (definitions), 2950.05, 2950.06, 2950.07, 2950.13 and 2950.99 was not reached, so the public-listing section and 'temporarily domiciled' definition are unverified. 2950.04 was amended effective March 20, 2025 (H.B. 289). Local ordinances may add park, pool, child-safety-zone or Halloween rules, and supervision conditions may impose more; registration fees and sheriff procedures vary by county. [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 Ohio?

Visitors must register after 3 days. Registration is triggered by being temporarily domiciled in an Ohio county more than three days; they must register in person with the county sheriff within three days of coming into that county.

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

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

Are there places registrants can't go in Ohio?

The state restricts registrants from: school, preschool or child care center, children's crisis care facility, residential infant care center premises. 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.