34 U.S.C. § 20913 — Registry requirements for sex offenders

(a) In general. A sex offender^* must register, and keep the registration current, in every jurisdiction^* where the offender lives, works, or studies. For the very first registration only, the offender must also register in the jurisdiction where convicted, if that's different from where they live.

(b) Initial registration. The sex offender must register for the first time either: (1) before finishing any prison sentence for the offense that triggers registration; or (2) within 3 business days after being sentenced, if there's no prison term.

(c) Keeping the registration current. Within 3 business days after any change of name, home, job, or student^* status, the sex offender must appear in person in at least one jurisdiction where they're registered, and report all the changes. That jurisdiction must then immediately send the updated information to every other jurisdiction where the offender is required to register.

(d) Initial registration of sex offenders unable to comply with subsection (b). The Attorney General may decide how these requirements apply to sex offenders convicted before this chapter existed, or before it took effect in a particular jurisdiction. The Attorney General may also set rules for registering those offenders, and any other offenders who can't meet the subsection (b) deadlines.

(e) State penalty for failure to comply. Every jurisdiction — except a federally recognized Indian tribe — must set a criminal penalty for a sex offender who fails to comply with this subchapter's requirements. That penalty must allow more than 1 year in prison.