Find San Diego Sex Offenders
Sex offenders in San Diego must register with the San Diego Police Department. The city has more than 1.3 million residents making it California's second largest city. Anyone required to register under state law who lives in San Diego reports to the Sex Offender Registration Unit. Registration happens within five working days of moving here or being released from custody. Updates occur once per year near the person's birthday. The police department processes all PC 290 registrations for city residents. You can search for registered sex offenders in your San Diego neighborhood using the California Megan's Law database. The system shows names, photos, addresses, and conviction details for every person registered in the city. Some profiles display full street addresses while others show only zip codes based on legal restrictions.
San Diego Registration Facts
San Diego Police Registration Unit
The San Diego Police Department operates a dedicated Sex Offender Registration Unit. The unit is located at 1400 East Street in downtown San Diego near the headquarters building. Offenders must register in person on Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Call ahead to confirm current hours and procedures. Officers take a new photo at each registration visit. They verify address information, employment details, vehicle data, and any internet identifiers. The police then report this information to the California DOJ which updates the public Megan's Law website daily.
| Agency | San Diego Police Department - Sex Offender Registration Unit |
|---|---|
| Address | 1400 East Street San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Phone | (858) 974-2822 |
| Hours | Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM |
| Website | sandiego.gov/police |
San Diego Police Department works closely with the San Diego County Sheriff SAFE Task Force. The San Diego County Sheriff manages registration for unincorporated areas around the city. If you live in San Diego city limits, you register with the police. If you live outside city limits in the county, you register with the sheriff. Both agencies report to the same state database so all San Diego area offenders appear on the Megan's Law website.
Search San Diego Offender Records
The best way to find sex offenders in San Diego is through the state Megan's Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov. Enter your San Diego address or zip code to see a map of registered offenders nearby. Each pin on the map links to a profile showing the person's photo, age, physical description, and details about their conviction. You can filter results by distance from your home or by specific offense types. The database updates every day based on reports from local agencies.
Not all registered offenders show a complete street address on the public site. Some display only a zip code. Others are marked as location undisclosed due to court orders. Statewide, about 55,000 offenders have full addresses posted. Another 6,000 show only zip codes. Even when the exact address is hidden, you can still view photos and conviction information. The system covers all of San Diego County including the city. You can set up email alerts to get notified when an offender moves into your area or updates their information.
The California Department of Justice sex offender registry page explains how the system operates. The DOJ receives data from every city and county in California. They review each submission and post approved records within 24 hours. This keeps the San Diego database current. The DOJ also manages applications for exclusion from the public website under certain legal conditions set out in state law.
You can also use the National Sex Offender Public Website to search multiple states simultaneously. This federal tool is useful if you want to check someone's history before they moved to San Diego. The national site may not update as quickly as state databases, so use the California Megan's Law site for current information on San Diego offenders.
PC 290 Requirements in San Diego
California law requires anyone convicted of certain sex offenses to register with local law enforcement. In San Diego, this means reporting to the police station at 1400 East Street. Registration must occur within five working days of release from custody or moving to the city. Missing this deadline is a criminal offense that can result in arrest. The law applies to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in San Diego.
Penal Code Section 290 lists all crimes that require registration in California. These include rape, child molestation, sexual battery, indecent exposure, and possession of child pornography. The statute also covers attempts and conspiracies to commit these offenses. San Diego residents convicted of any registrable crime must follow the procedures set out in this law. The three-tier system divides offenders by crime severity. Tier One means ten years of registration. Tier Two means twenty years. Tier Three means lifetime registration.
Most offenders in San Diego update their registration once per year within five working days before or after their birthday. The police department may send reminders but it is the offender's responsibility to appear on time. Some must update more frequently. Sexually violent predators register every 90 days. Transients with no fixed address register every 30 days. Missing an update can result in immediate arrest and new criminal charges that add time to the sentence.
Under Penal Code Section 290.012, no fees apply to sex offender registration in California. You do not pay to register in San Diego. You do not pay for annual updates. The process is completely free by state law. If anyone tries to charge you, report it to the Department of Justice immediately.
Note: Some Tier One and Tier Two offenders can petition the court to end their registration requirement after completing the minimum period.
California Sex Offender Statutes
Penal Code Section 290.46 requires the DOJ to publish sex offender information on the internet. This statute provides the legal foundation for the Megan's Law website. It specifies what information can be shared with the public including names, photos, addresses, and conviction details. It also lists which offenders are excluded from the website. Some juveniles and certain low-level offenders do not appear online even though they must register with San Diego PD.
Penal Code Section 290.45 allows law enforcement to disclose offender information to the community. San Diego PD can share names, photos, addresses, vehicle information, and conviction details when they believe it is necessary for public safety. However, misusing this information is illegal under California law. Using registry data to harass or harm an offender can result in fines up to $50,000 and five years in state prison. Civil lawsuits can also result from misuse.
Senate Bill 384 created the three-tier system that took effect on January 1, 2021. Before that date, most offenders registered for life with no option for relief. The new law provides some offenders a path to end their registration after a set number of years. The court has 60 days to respond to tier relief petitions. The DOJ sex offender forms page has applications for tier relief and exclusion from the public website. Processing takes 30 to 90 days or longer depending on caseload.
San Diego Resources and Support
The San Diego Police Department handles all sex offender registration for city residents. Call (858) 974-2822 to reach the Sex Offender Registration Unit. Visit sandiego.gov/police for more information. The San Diego County Sheriff manages registration for unincorporated areas around the city. Call the sheriff at (858) 974-2222 or visit the SAFE Task Force page for county information.
Victims of sex crimes can access support through local agencies. The San Diego County District Attorney Victim Services Division provides assistance and can explain your rights. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Victim Services line is 1-877-256-6877. Email victimservices@cdcr.ca.gov. These services are free and confidential for San Diego residents. The San Diego District Attorney also runs programs specifically for sex crime victims.
If you have information about a registered sex offender in San Diego who is violating the law, contact San Diego PD at (858) 974-2822. You can also call the CDCR tip line or email CDCRDAPOTIPLINE@CDCR.CA.GOV. Reports are taken seriously and can lead to enforcement action. Registration violations often result in arrest and prosecution that can add years to an offender's sentence. The SAFE Task Force conducts regular compliance checks to verify offenders are living at reported addresses.
The CIRIS database allows you to look up people currently in state custody. This helps you track someone still serving time before they are released and required to register in San Diego. Search by name or CDCR number. Results show admission date, current facility location, and upcoming parole hearing dates.
San Diego County Sex Offender Registry
San Diego is the county seat of San Diego County. The county sheriff SAFE Task Force manages sex offender registration for unincorporated areas and monitors high-risk offenders throughout the county. For county-wide policies, registration locations, and enforcement details, visit the San Diego County page.