Lake County Sex Offender Lookup
Sex offenders living in Lake County register with the Sheriff's Office in Lakeport at 255 N Forbes Street. Anyone required to register under Penal Code 290 must check in here. The sheriff maintains compliance records and works with the state to keep the registry current. You can search for registered offenders through California's Megan's Law website by entering a Lake County address. Initial registration must occur within five working days of moving to the county or being released from custody. Annual updates happen on each person's birthday, with more frequent check-ins required for transients and sexually violent predators.
Lake County Quick Facts
Sheriff Registration Process
The Lake County Sheriff's Office at 255 N Forbes Street in Lakeport handles all sex offender registrations. Call 707-263-2302 before visiting to confirm hours and availability. Bring valid photo ID and proof of your current address. A utility bill, lease, or mail with your name and Lake County address works. If you own a vehicle, bring registration documents.
Staff will photograph you and collect fingerprints during registration. You provide information about where you live, where you work, and any vehicles you own. You must also disclose internet identifiers like email addresses and social media accounts. The process takes about 30 minutes. The sheriff then submits your data to the California Department of Justice.
The sheriff keeps local files on all registered offenders in Lake County. Deputies conduct compliance checks at homes and workplaces. 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. Non-compliance can lead to criminal charges and jail time.
Megan's Law Database
California's Megan's Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov is the main tool for searching sex offenders. Enter a Lake County address or city name to see a map of registered individuals nearby. The map uses pins to mark each offender's location. Click on a pin to view the profile. Most profiles include a photo, physical description, and conviction details.
Each profile shows the tier level. Tier One offenders register for ten years. Tier Two offenders register for twenty years. Tier Three offenders register for life. Some profiles display full street addresses. Others only show a zip code or mark the person as undisclosed per court order. The amount of detail depends on the offender's tier and legal restrictions.
The database updates daily based on reports from local sheriffs. If someone just registered in Lake County, the profile might not appear until the next day. 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.
Update Requirements
Initial registration must occur within five working days. This applies when you are released from jail or prison, when you move to Lake 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 Monday, you have until the following Monday to register.
Annual updates happen on your birthday. The law requires updating within five working days before or after that date. If your birthday is November 8, you can register anytime from November 3 to November 13. The sheriff does not send reminders. You must track the date and appear on time. Missing the window is a violation that can result in 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 determines whether you are transient. If so, you must update every 30 days and report where you have been staying.
Sexually violent predators update every 90 days regardless of housing status. This category includes individuals civilly committed as SVPs or those with certain convictions. The 90-day schedule is more frequent than the annual birthday update but less burdensome than the 30-day transient requirement. All timelines are set by Penal Code Section 290.012.
Tier Levels
California's tier system took effect in January 2021 under Senate Bill 384. It replaced lifetime registration for many offenders. Now duration depends on the tier. 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 assigned at conviction based on the specific crime. Rape under Penal Code Section 261 is generally 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 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 file the paperwork. The court has 60 days to decide. If approved, you stop registering and your profile is removed from the public website. Tier Three offenders cannot petition unless they obtain a pardon.
Additional Resources
The California Department of Justice runs the statewide registry program. 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. Processing exclusion applications takes 30 to 90 days or longer.
For inmates in state custody, check 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 Lake 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. The U.S. Department of Justice runs the site.
Legal aid organizations in Lake County can assist with registration questions or petitions. Legal Services of Northern California serves the area. Call their intake line to see if you qualify for free help. Private attorneys also handle sex offender registry cases. Expect to pay for a consultation and legal work if you hire a lawyer.
Nearby Counties
For sex offender information in surrounding counties, see:
Mendocino County | Colusa County | Glenn County | Napa County | Sonoma County