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WA

Washington

Visitors must register after staying 8 to 29 days.

Visitors register after8–29 days

Visitors who intend to be present in Washington 10 or more days must register with the sheriff of each county where they stay, within three business days of arrival. Working more than 14 days, volunteering, or enrolling in school triggers registration regardless of length of stay. Those without a fixed residence must register after 24 hours in a county and report weekly in person.

Registering as a visitor

When it's required
After 10 days.
Deadline
Register within three business days of arrival with the county sheriff of each county where they will be staying, if they intend to be present 10 or more days.
Where
County sheriff of each county where staying
Also required if
  • Employment or vocation, paid or volunteer, exceeding 14 days or an aggregate exceeding 30 days in a calendar year
  • Enrollment as a student in any school or institution of higher education
  • Lacking a fixed residence: entering and remaining in a new county 24 hours triggers registration within three business days, plus weekly in-person reporting
  • Advance notice to sheriff three business days before arriving at a school or institution of higher education (as written, for certain juvenile-offense registrants)
  • International travel notice at least 21 days in advance for those registered in Washington

Public registry

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

RCW 9A.44.130 does not address website posting; disclosure is governed by RCW 4.24.550, which could not be read. Temporary registrants give the same data minus photograph and fingerprints, and RCW 9A.44.130(4)(b) says sheriffs need not determine whether the person still lives in the county, so removal on departure is not assured.

Places registrants can't go

  • Schools, playgrounds, swimming pools, community and recreational centers, state or municipal parks, and other 'covered entities'No automatic statewide buffer zone. A covered entity may personally serve a covered offender with written notice excluding them or setting conditions; remaining, reentering, or violating conditions is criminal trespass against children, a class C felony.Applies to: 'Covered offenders' served with complying written notice; the statutory definition of covered offender was not verified
  • Parks, schools, and other locations under supervision conditions or local ordinancesCommunity custody conditions (RCW 9.94A.703/.709) and local city or county ordinances may impose further restrictions; not read for this entry.Applies to: People under supervision, or as set by local law

Laws cited

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

Research notes

RCW 4.24.550 (public disclosure), the WASPC registry site, RCW 9A.44.132, RCW 9A.44.140, and RCW 9.94A.703/.709 were not reached, so public-listing duration is unresolved. The 10-day trigger keys on intent, is not expressly cumulative or consecutive, and the statute has no aggregation formula. Subsections (7)-(11) of RCW 9A.44.130 were truncated and not read. RCW 9A.44.190's definition of 'covered offender' was only excerpted. County sheriff practices vary.

Common questions

Do registered sex offenders have to register when visiting Washington?

Visitors must register after 10 days. Register within three business days of arrival with the county sheriff of each county where they will be staying, if they intend to be present 10 or more days.

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

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

Are there places registrants can't go in Washington?

The state restricts registrants from: schools, playgrounds, swimming pools, community and recreational centers, state or municipal parks, and other 'covered entities'; parks, schools, and other locations under supervision conditions or local ordinances. 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.