Durham County Sheriff
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Sex Offender Unit
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registration Unit is essential to the safety and security of Durham County families. Deputies assigned to this unit monitor registered sex offenders in Durham County, conduct investigations, and apprehend offenders in violation of the conditions of the registry.
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Durham County Sheriff's Office located at 510 South Dillard Street in Durham.
Effective March 1, 2021 all new registrations, whether in-state or out-of-state convictions, will require an appointment. Appointments can be made by calling 919-560-7115. These appointments will be scheduled and completed within 1-2 business days. (Exception: offenders who are convicted, but receive no active time, and are escorted from the courtroom for registration.)
State Requirements
- ALL REGISTRY CHANGES MUST BE MADE IN-PERSON AT THE CURRENT REGISTERING SHERIFF’S OFFICE.
- North Carolina State Law requires any person convicted of a sex offense or certain offenses against minors must register with the Sheriff of their county:
- Within 3 business days if moving within the same county.
- Within 10 days of moving from another county in North Carolina.
- Within 3 business days of establishing a residence or if present in the State for 15 days if moving from another state.
- Within 3 business days if classified as a nonresident student/worker.
- IMMEDIATELY if convicted but given no active time; a court official should escort the offender from the courtroom to be registered.
- Sex offenders must register within 3 days of being convicted or released from any form of incarceration including the Department of Corrections or local jail.
- Offenders are not permitted to live within 1000 feet from a school or daycare or be on those premises. Offenders are also prohibited from being within 300 feet of any location intended primarily for the use, care, or supervision of minors including but not limited to: libraries, arcades, amusement parks, recreation parks, and swimming pools.
- Offenders are PROHIBITED from the State Fairgrounds during the State Fair and Western N.C. Agricultural Center during the N.C. Mountain State Fair as well as any other fairgrounds during an agricultural fair.
- Sexual Offender Registration for general offenders is maintained for a period of 30 years. After a minimum 10-year registration, the offender may petition the superior court in the district where they were convicted to shorten the 30-year registration requirements. General offender registration is verified by mail on the first anniversary and every six months after that.
- Sexual Offender Registration for sexually violent predator, recidivist, and aggravated offenders is maintained for life. Offenders under this classification do not qualify to petition the superior courts for removal. Lifetime offender registration is verified by mail every 90 days.
- In North Carolina, being convicted of a violent sexual offense alone does not define someone as a sexually violent predator. A sexually violent predator is a person who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense and who suffers from a mental abnormality or personal disorder. A court order during criminal sentencing is required before an offender can be classified as a sexually violent predator.
- ADDITIONAL VERIFICATION: N.C.G.S. § 14-208.9A(b) allows for the registering Sheriff to make additional attempts to verify that the offender continues to reside at the address last registered by the offender. In Durham County, these additional attempts are made randomly and in-person at the offender’s residence throughout the registration period.
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