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Ministry of Justice

Registration and Obligations of Sex Offenders


Offender Requirement to Register

When the Sex Offender Information Registration Act was first proclaimed on Dec. 15, 2004, sex offenders who were under sentence for a 'designated offence' were eligible to be served a Notice of Obligation to Comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Form 53). This legislation was not retroactive; sex offenders who completed their sentence prior to Dec. 15, 2004, were not registered.

Upon sentencing a sex offender convicted for a ‘designated offence’ will receive an Order to Comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Form 52). After the order is granted, the offender is registered in the database.

For more information on the offences included in the Sex Offender Information and Registration Act see the list of designated offences in section 490.011(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada.


Convictions Outside Canada

Offenders entering Canada who have been convicted of a sexually related offence outside of Canada are obligated to notify police of their arrival in Canada, within 7 days of their arrival. In the opinion of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of British Columbia if the offence is equivalent to an offence referred to in paragraph (a) of the designated offence in Sec. 490.011 the subject shall be issued and served a Notice and Obligation to Comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Form 54). The offender is then responsible to fulfill his obligation until the expiration of the order, an exemption order is made, or, a termination order is received.


Offender Reporting Obligations

Offenders who receive an Order to Comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act by a court must report to a registration centre within 7 days after the Order is issued or after being released from custody.

When registering, sex offenders are required to show picture identification and provide specified information to the police.

For a full list of reporting requirements see the National Sex Offender Registry page on the RCMP website.

Keeping Information Up-to-Date / Reporting an Absence

  • Offenders are required to re-register annually and every time they change their address, legal name, employment or volunteer information.
  • Offenders must also notify the B.C. Sex Offender Information Registration Centre if they plan on being away from their main residence for more than 7 days.
  • The Absence Notification [PDF] form can be used to report travel plans.
  • Click here for Sex Offender Registry contact information.
  • See the list of Sex Offender Registration Centres.

Registration Centres

Registration centres are located at police detachments and departments in 140 communities across B.C. Sex offenders may register at any one of the registration centres. Please see the list of Sex Offender Registration Centres for locations. If you are not sure which registration centre is closest to you, the Contact Us page on this website has telephone information.


Failure to Comply or Providing False Information

Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of a registration order, or providing false information, is a Criminal Code offence punishable by a maximum of two years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine.


Exemption or Termination of Obligations

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.

To request Exemption or Termination, the following application form must be completed: