Sex Offender Registration Overseas

[Uther1111]

I have a friend who pled guilty to, I believe a misdemeanor sex offense but one which carries a registration requirement. He now is thinking of moving to Taiwan and would like to know how to comply with both the federal and California Sex Offender Registration laws while he is out of the country and if he should come back to California for a visit. I have perused the Wetterling Registration Act and the SORNA requirements and I just don't see anything about leaving and re-entering the country I have also searched through California Registration requirements and found nothing on point. Is it fair to assume that registration would be required within 5 days of entering the country? As it is for entering a new state? And what about the annual registration requirement. Does he need to return to California each year to update his registration? I even called the SMART office in Washington and got absolutely nowhere. Does anyone know?

[Mr. Knowitall]

If he wants to be absolutely safe, he should consult a criminal defense lawyer. You're tentative on his plans and don't even know his conviction charge.

California's sex offender registration laws are at Sections 290-294 of the Penal Code, and can be read here. If he's not a resident of the state, working in the state, or studying in the state, he shouldn't have to register in California. He would update them of his relocation to Taiwan. If there's any chance that he would be deemed a transient while subsequently visiting California, he should register. If he doesn't want to consult a lawyer he can read the statutes and decide for himself how they apply to him.