Find Kings County Sex Offenders
Registered sex offenders in Kings County report to the Sheriff's Office in Hanford. The office operates Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm at 1550 Kings County Drive. Anyone subject to California Penal Code Section 290 must register here if living in the county. The sheriff tracks all registrants and conducts compliance checks. You can search for sex offenders in Kings County using the state Megan's Law website by entering a Hanford, Corcoran, or Lemoore address. Offenders update their information annually on their birthday or more frequently if they fall into high-risk categories like transients or sexually violent predators.
Kings County Quick Facts
Sheriff Office Registration
The Kings County Sheriff's Office at 1550 Kings County Drive in Hanford handles all sex offender registrations. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm. The office is closed on Fridays. Call 559-584-1431 before your visit to confirm staff is available. Bring valid ID and proof of address. This can be a lease, utility bill, or mail with your name and current Kings County address.
When you arrive, staff will take your photo and collect fingerprints. You provide details about where you live, where you work, and any vehicles you own. You must also disclose internet identifiers such as email addresses and social media usernames. The process typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. Once finished, the sheriff submits your data to the California Department of Justice.
The sheriff maintains local files on every registered offender in Kings County. Deputies conduct compliance checks to verify addresses and employment. If you move within the county, notify the sheriff within five working days. If you move to another county, register there within the same time frame. Failing to update is a criminal offense that can result in new charges and jail time.
Online Search Access
California's Megan's Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov is the primary tool for searching sex offenders. Enter a Kings County address to see a map of registered individuals nearby. The map uses pins to mark each person's location. Click on a pin to view the offender's profile. Most profiles include a photo, physical description, and conviction details.
You see the tier level on each profile. Tier One offenders register for ten years. Tier Two offenders register for twenty years. Tier Three offenders register for life. Some profiles show full street addresses. Others only display a zip code or mark the person as undisclosed per court order. The level of detail depends on the offender's tier and any legal restrictions.
The website updates daily based on reports from local sheriffs. If someone just registered in Kings County, the profile might take a day or two to appear. Not all registered offenders are on the public site. Some are excluded by law. Certain juvenile offenders and misdemeanor cases do not get posted. If you cannot find someone, call the sheriff to ask about that individual.
Registration Rules and Timelines
Initial registration must happen within five working days. This applies when you are released from jail or prison, when you move to Kings County, or when you first become subject to registration. Five working days means business days only. Weekends and holidays do not count. If released on a Wednesday, you have until the following Wednesday to register.
Annual updates occur on your birthday. The law requires updating within five working days before or after that date. If your birthday is August 12, you can register anytime from August 7 to August 17. The sheriff does not send reminders. You must track the date and appear on time. Missing the window is a violation that can lead to criminal charges.
Transients update every 30 days. You are classified as transient if you do not have a permanent residence. This includes living in a vehicle, staying in a shelter, or moving between temporary locations. The sheriff makes the final determination. If deemed transient, you must update every 30 days and report where you have been staying. This rule helps law enforcement track individuals who move around frequently.
Sexually violent predators update every 90 days regardless of housing status. This category includes individuals civilly committed as SVPs or those with specific convictions. The 90-day requirement is more frequent than the annual birthday update but less burdensome than the 30-day transient schedule. These timelines are set by Penal Code Section 290.012.
Three-Tier System
Senate Bill 384 introduced California's tier system in January 2021. Before that, most sex offenders registered for life. Now duration depends on the tier assigned at conviction. Tier One is ten years for adults and five years for juveniles. Tier Two is twenty years for adults and ten years for juveniles. Tier Three is lifetime with no early termination.
The tier is based on the specific crime. Rape under Penal Code Section 261 is usually Tier Three. Lewd acts with a child under Penal Code Section 288 can be Tier Two or Tier Three. Indecent exposure might be Tier One. The statute sets the tier. Judges and prosecutors do not have discretion to change it.
After completing the minimum period, Tier One and Tier Two offenders can petition the court for removal from the registry. The petition goes to the court that handled your conviction. You may need legal help to prepare the paperwork. The court has 60 days to decide. If granted, you stop registering and your profile is removed from the public website. Tier Three offenders cannot petition unless they obtain a pardon or other relief.
Statewide and National Tools
The California Department of Justice oversees the statewide sex offender registry. Visit oag.ca.gov/sex-offender-reg for forms, FAQs, and policy updates. You can download an Application for Exclusion from Internet Disclosure if you qualify. The DOJ also publishes statistics on total registrants and their categories. Processing exclusion applications takes 30 to 90 days or longer.
For inmates in state custody, use the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. Search by name or CDCR number to find current location, admission date, and parole hearing dates. This helps you know when someone will be released and required to register in Kings County or elsewhere.
The National Sex Offender Public Website at nsopw.gov searches all state registries. Use it to check if someone has a registration history in another state before moving to California. The federal site is free and does not require a login. It is run by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Legal aid organizations in Kings County can help with registration questions or petitions. Central California Legal Services serves the area. Call their intake line to see if you qualify for free assistance. Private attorneys also handle sex offender registry cases. Expect to pay for a consultation and representation if you hire a lawyer.
Nearby Counties
For sex offender information in surrounding counties, see: