How the California Registry Works
The California Department of Justice runs California's registry. Before you search, know what the public site includes and what it legally can't show — the answer differs state to state, and California's version has its own rules.
Content reviewed July 30, 2026 by the SearchSystems editorial team.
Official Searches
NSOPW — National Search (includes California)
Official Free
The US DOJ's national portal queries every state, territory, and tribal registry at once — the only true cross-state search. Start here when the person may have moved.
VINELink — Custody Status
Official Free
If a registrant is currently in custody, VINE tracks it and alerts you on release — the registry itself only shows the registered address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the California website show every registrant?
California's Megan's Law site excludes a large share of registrants from public view by statute — the registry is bigger than the website shows, and home addresses display only for higher-risk categories. The national NSOPW search fills cross-state gaps.
Can I get alerts for my address?
Most state registries offer email alerts for a radius around addresses you save — school, home, workplace. Set them once and the registry watches for you.
What can I legally do with registry information?
Awareness and protection. Every state criminalizes using the registry to harass, threaten, or discriminate against a registrant — landlords and employers have separate rules to follow.
Someone on the registry lists a wrong address. Who do I tell?
The sheriff verifying that area, or the California Department of Justice directly — address verification is the compliance backbone, and tips get acted on.
Related California Records
The registry shows registration, not the case: California court records hold the underlying conviction, the criminal records page covers full background checks, and the inmate search shows who is in custody now.