Obligations of Sex Offenders

For a complete list of offender obligations, please see "Obligation Sections for Sex Offenders" [37KB] or the information sheet for the Notice (retrospective) or Order (made by court) to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act. Multi-language information sheets have been prepared to assist offenders in understanding their obligations, particularly where their first language is not English. Information sheets are available in English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Chinese, Arabic, Persian and Vietnamese.

Sex offenders who are ordered to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act by a court must report to a registration centre within 15 days after the Order is issued or after being released from custody. Sex offenders who are served a Notice of Obligation to Comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act have one year and 15 days from the date of service to report. Re-registration will be required annually and within 15 days of a change of residence.

Registration centres are located at police stations in
59 communities [36KB]. A toll free line for the BC Sex Offender Information Registration Centre is available by calling 604-543-4700 within the Greater Vancouver area, or by calling 1-866-648-5933 outside the Greater Vancouver area. This line will assist offenders in locating the appropriate registration centre and to answer any questions about the registration process.

When registering, sex offenders will be required to show picture identification and provide specified information to the police. They must also report changes in their address, home phone number and name and notify [68KB] the BC Sex Offender Information Registration Centre or their local registration centre if they have been away from their main or secondary residence for more than 15 days. [68KB]

The Sex Offender Information Registration Act creates a new Criminal Code hybrid offence for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of a registration order, or for providing false information, punishable by a maximum of two years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine.

Offenders who wish to apply for an exemption or to terminate their obligations must apply to do so at a court registry. The offender will need to provide a copy of the Notice or Order informing them of their obligation to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act to the court registry staff, so it is important to keep a copy.

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