WA Registry Laws
PLEASE NOTE: All information is considered educational and should not be used as legal advice. Always consult with a licensed attorney for legal advice.
WHAT IS SEX OFFENSE REGISTRATION?
Individuals who have been convicted of a sex offense are often required to register with local law enforcement. The laws about who has to register, how long someone needs to register, and what information needs to be provided vary from state to state. Some states allow cities and counties to establish additional rules. The variety and inconsistencies in these laws make it very difficult for a person required to register to know how to be in compliance.
Our website seeks to help people stay in compliance with Washington State registration laws.
Looking for Relief?
Most people required to register in the state of Washington have a pathway to be taken off the registry. Our REGISTRY RELIEF page explains how.
WHO IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER?
Registration requirements are triggered if you live, work, or go to school in the state of Washington (or if you are visiting for 10 or more days) and have a conviction for a registerable sex offense.
Adults (age 18+) who have been convicted in Washington of a Class A, Class B, or Class C felony sex offense, as well as some gross misdemeanor sex offenses, are required to register.
Individuals with Federal, Tribal, or out-of-state convictions need to register if their convictions are equivalent to a registerable sex offense in the state of Washington.
Out-of-state residents who will work or go to school in Washington must register with the county sheriff where they will work or go to school.
Juveniles are also required to register under certain circumstances.
More information can be found in RCW 9A.44.130.
HOW DOES SOMEONE REGISTER?
Individuals required to register have 3 business days to complete their initial registration in-person with the sheriff’s office. In-state residents will register with the sheriff of the county they reside, out-of-state residents will register with the sheriff in the county where they work or go to school.
Out-of-state visitors (10 days or more), returning residents, and current residents moving to a new county must also report in-person within 3 business days.
Individuals who lack a fixed residence must register within 3 business days and report in-person their whereabouts weekly.
Individuals moving to a new residence within their county may do so by registered mail (return receipt requested) or in-person within 3 business days.
More information can be found in RCW 9A.44.130.
HOW OFTEN MUST SOMEONE REGISTER?
Unlike some other states, Washington does not require periodic in-person registration (except for individuals who lack a fixed residence). Once a person has registered, they do not need to re-register unless they change where they live, work, or go to school.
If a person does not comply with registration requirements, they may be charged with a new crime called a Failure to Register (FTR). An FTR is a serious charge and can result in years of incarceration. Staying in compliance is the best way for a person to be removed from the registry. For more information, see RCW 9A.44.132.
WHAT ABOUT INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL?
The state of Washington has adopted INTERNATIONAL MEGANS LAW (IML) and requires that any person required to register must report details of their plans to travel outside of the country at least 21 days prior to their travel. More information can be found in subsection 3 of RCW 9A.44.130.
DOES REGISTRATION END?
The amount of time that a person has to register for a sex offense in Washington state depends upon several factors. For people who have a single conviction, the two most important factors are the class of offense and whether or not the convictions are from the state of Washington or from another jurisdiction.
In-state convictions typically have the following registration requirements: 10 years for a Gross Misdemeanor or Class C Felony, 15 years for a Class B Felony, and Indefinite (ongoing) registration for a Class A Felony. For convictions from jurisdictions other than Washington state (Federal, Tribal, Out-of-state), a person’s duty to register continues indefinitely.
There are factors that extend or prohibit a person from being RELIEVED OF THE DUTY TO REGISTER. Having multiple convictions and/or a disqualifying offense will extend a person’s minimum time on the registry. People convicted of a crime involving forcible compulsion, as well as individuals found to be a sexually violent predator under RCW 71.09 are subject to LIFETIME REGISTRATION and are not eligible to be RELIEVED OF THE DUTY TO REGISTER.
More information can be found in RCW 9A.44.130.
WHERE CAN I FIND WASHINGTON’S LAWS?
In the state of Washington, our laws about registration are mostly confined to the following RCWs:
- RCW 9A.44.130 – Registration of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders—Procedures—Definition—Penalties.
- RCW 9A.44.132 – Failure to register as sex offender or kidnapping offender.
- RCW 9A.44.135 – Address verification.
- RCW 9A.44.138 – Attendance, employment of registered sex offenders and kidnapping offenders at schools and institutions of higher education—Notice to designated recipients—Information exempt from disclosure.
- RCW 9A.44.140 – Registration of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders—Duty to register.
- RCW 9A.44.141 – Investigation—End of duty to register—Removal from registry—Civil liability.
- RCW 9A.44.142 – Relief from duty to register—Petition—Exceptions.
- RCW 9A.44.143 – Relief from duty to register for sex offense or kidnapping offense committed when offender was a juvenile and who has not been determined to be a sexually violent predator—Petition—Exception.
- RCW 9A.44.144 – Relief from duty to register—Juvenile offenders.
- RCW 9A.44.145 – Notification to offenders of changed requirements and ability to petition for relief from registration.
- RCW 9A.44.148 – Application of RCW 9A.44.128 through 9A.44.145—Duty to register under law as it existed prior to July 28, 1991.
Crimes Requiring Registration in WA State
Below are a list of offenses (with links to their RCW) grouped by registration length. Click on the toggle button to expand and view the list.
Crimes Requiring 10 Year Registration (GM / Class C)
| Offense | Statute |
|---|---|
| Child Molestation 3 | 9A.44.089 |
| Criminal Trespass Against Children | 9A.44.196 |
| Custodial Sexual Misconduct 2 | 9A.44.170 |
| Rape 3 | 9A.44.060 |
| Rape of a Child 3 or Statutory Rape 3 | 9A.44.079 |
| Sexual Misconduct with a Minor 1 | 9A.44.093 |
| Sexual Misconduct with a Minor 2 | 9A.44.096 |
| Sexually Violating Human Remains | 9A.44.105 |
| Voyeurism 1 | 9A.44.115 |
| Incest 2 | 9A.64.020(2) |
| Communication with Minor for Immoral Purposes | 9.68A.090 |
| Dealing in Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 2 (PRIOR TO APRIL 2017) | 9.68A.050(2) |
| Possession of Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 1 (PRIOR TO MARCH 2006) | 9.68A.070(1) |
| Possession of Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 2 (PRIOR TO APRIL 2017) | 9.68A.070(2) |
| Sending, Bringing into the State Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 1 (PRIOR TO MARCH 2010) | 9.68A.060(1) |
| Sending, Bringing into the State Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 2 (PRIOR TO APRIL 2017) | 9.68A.060(2) |
| Viewing Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 2 | 9.68A.075(2) |
| Promoting Travel for Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor | 9.68A.102 |
| Any Class C felony offense with a finding of sexual motivation | 9.94A.835 |
Crimes Requiring 15 Year Registration (Class B)
| Offense | Statute |
|---|---|
| Child Molestation 1 (PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 1990) | 9A.44.083 |
| Child Molestation 2 | 9A.44.086 |
| Custodial Sexual Misconduct 1 | 9A.44.160 |
| Indecent Liberties – with Forcible Compulsion (PRIOR TO JUNE 2000) | 9A.44.100(1)(a) |
| Indecent Liberties – without Forcible Compulsion | 9A.44.100(1)(b-f) |
| Rape 2 (PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 1990) | 9A.44.050 |
| Rape of a Child 2 or Statutory Rape 2 (PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 1990) | 9A.44.079 |
| Incest 1 | 9A.64.020(1) |
| Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor | 9.68A.100 |
| Dealing in Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 1 (AFTER MARCH 2010) | 9.68A.050(1) |
| Dealing in Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 2 (AFTER APRIL 2017) | 9.68A.050(2) |
| Possession of Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 1 (AFTER MARCH 2006) | 9.68A.070(1) |
| Possession of Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 2 (AFTER APRIL 2017) | 9.68A.070(2) |
| Sending, Bringing into the State Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 1 (AFTER MARCH 2010) | 9.68A.060(1) |
| Sending, Bringing into the State Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 2 ( AFTER APRIL 2017) | 9.68A.060(2) |
| Sexual Exploitation of a minor | 9.68A.040 |
| Viewing Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct 1 | 9.68A.075(1) |
| Any Class B felony offense with a finding of sexual motivation | 9.94A.835 |
Crimes Requiring INDEFINITE (Ongoing) Registration (Class A)
| Offense | Statute |
|---|---|
| Child Molestation 1 (After 1990) | 9A.44.083 |
| Rape 1 (PRIOR TO 6/8/2000) | 9A.44.040 |
| Rape 2 (PRIOR TO 6/8/2000) | 9A.44.050 |
| Rape of a Child 1 | 9A.44.073 |
| Rape of a Child 2 (AFTER 1990) | 9A.44.076 |
| Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor | 9.68.101 |
| Trafficking 1 | 9A.40.100 |
| Assault 2 with a finding of sexual motivation | 9A.36.021 |
| Any Class A felony offense with a finding of sexual motivation | 9.94A.835 |
| Any conviction for a sex offense when the defendent has one or more prior convictions for a sex offense | 9A.44.140 |
| A federal, tribal, or out-of-state conviction for a sex offense | 9A.44.140 |
Crimes Requiring LIFETIME Registration (Excluded from Relief)
| Offense | Statute |
|---|---|
| Rape 1 (AFTER 6/8/2000) | 9A.44.040 |
| Rape 2 (AFTER 6/8/2000) | 9A.44.050 |
| Indecent liberties with Forcible Compulsion | 9A.100(1)(a) |
| Any Person Adjudicated as a “Sexually Violent Predator” | 71.09 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Are all people on the registry for life in Washington?
NO! Very few people are required to be on the registry for their entire life in the state of Washington. Most people in our state have a pathway to be “Relieved of the Duty to Register.” See our REGISTRY RELIEF page to learn more.
Q2: What is the difference between LIFETIME and INDEFINITE registration?
Very few people are subject to LIFETIME registration. Lifetime registration means that a person is NOT ALLOWED to be relieved of the duty to register.
INDEFINITE registration means that a person has an ongoing duty to register, but may petition a court to be relieved of the duty to register.
Q3: What factors determine who is eligible for registry relief?
Several factors determine who is eligible to be relieved of the duty to register. These factors include:
-
- The classification of the crime (Misdemeanor or Felony Class A, B, or C).
- Whether the conviction was from the state of Washington or from elsewhere (Federal, Tribal, Out-of-State, International).
- The number of convictions.
- Exclusions subjecting someone to LIFETIME registration (RCW 9A.44.142(2)(a)).
Q4: How can I find out what crime I was convicted of?
It is common for people to forget exactly what crime they were convicted of years before. There are several ways to find information about your conviction:
Washington State Patrol: Criminal convictions from the state of Washington are found in a WATCH REPORT.
County Clerk’s Office: You can access this information from the county clerk’s office. Some counties have online access for a fee.
Law Offices: Contact a criminal defense attorney.
Q5: Does having a conviction with multiple counts mean the same as having multiple convictions?
NO! A person may be found guilty of several charges during a single conviction. This is different from having multiple convictions whereby a person is found guilty of one or more charges… and then LATER being charged and convicted of new charges.
This distinction is important when considering eligibility for registry relief. A person with multiple sex offense convictions AT BEST must petition a court to be relieved of the duty to register.
A person with a single conviction, even if that conviction has multiple counts, follows the registration requirements for the most serious count in their conviction.
Q6: What is a “Disqualifying Offense?”
A “Disqualifying Offense” is a NEW CONVICTION that interrupts or prevents a person from following the basic rules of registry relief. This disqualification may be temporary or permanent based upon the entirety of a person’s criminal history.
According to RCW 9A.44.128 a “disqualifying offense” means a NEW CONVICTION that is:
-
- any sex offense;
- any offense that is a felony;
- a crime against children or persons as defined in RCW 43.43.830(9) and 9.94A.411(2)(a);
- an offense with a domestic violence designation as provided in RCW 10.99.020(4);
- permitting the commercial sexual abuse of a minor as defined in RCW 9.68A.103;
- or any violation of chapter 9A.88 RCW.
WSP 2017 Summary of Changes
During the 2017 Legislative Session no bills were signed affecting sex and kidnapping offender registration requirements. WSP NOTICE Pursuant to Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 9A.44.145, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) is required to notify each registrant of any…
WSP 2016 Summary of Changes
During the 2016 Legislative Session no bills were signed affecting sex and kidnapping offender registration requirements. WSP NOTICE Pursuant to Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 9A.44.145, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) is required to notify each registrant of any…
WSP 2015 Summary of Changes
During the 2015 Legislative Session a bill was signed affecting sex and kidnapping offender registration requirements. Substitute Senate Bill 5154 – An act relating to registered sex or kidnapping offenders; amending RCW 4.24.550, 9A.44.128, 9A.44.130, 9A.44.132,…