---
kind: "section"
citation: "34 U.S.C. § 20919"
title: "34"
title_heading: "Crime Control and Law Enforcement"
number: "20919"
heading: "Duty to notify sex offenders of registration requirements and to register"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/34/20919"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Protection of Children and Other Persons"
  - "Chapter 209 — Child Protection and Safety"
  - "Subchapter I — Sex Offender Registration and Notification"
  - "Part A — Sex Offender Registration and Notification"
---

# §20919. Duty to notify sex offenders of registration requirements and to register

- (a) **In general—** An appropriate official shall, shortly before release of the [sex offender](/usc/34/20911.md?p=1) from custody, or, if the [sex offender](/usc/34/20911.md?p=1) is not in custody, immediately after the sentencing of the [sex offender](/usc/34/20911.md?p=1), for the offense giving rise to the duty to register—
  - (1) inform the [sex offender](/usc/34/20911.md?p=1) of the duties of a [sex offender](/usc/34/20911.md?p=1) under this subchapter and explain those duties;
  - (2) require the [sex offender](/usc/34/20911.md?p=1) to read and sign a form stating that the duty to register has been explained and that the [sex offender](/usc/34/20911.md?p=1) understands the registration requirement; and
  - (3) ensure that the [sex offender](/usc/34/20911.md?p=1) is registered.
- (b) **Notification of sex offenders who cannot comply with subsection (a)—** The Attorney General shall prescribe rules for the notification of [sex offenders](/usc/34/20911.md?p=1) who cannot be registered in accordance with [subsection (a)](#a).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 117, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 595.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), was in the original “this title”, meaning title I of Pub. L. 109–248, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 590, known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. For complete classification of title I to the Code, see Short Title of 2006 Act note set out under section 10101 of this title and Tables.

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 16917 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.