To get off the 290 registration in California, eligible individuals must file a petition for termination in the superior court in their county of residence once they have completed their mandatory registration period of 10 or 20 years, depending on their assigned tier.
California Penal Code Section 290 requires individuals convicted of certain sex offenses to register with local law enforcement. While this was historically a lifetime requirement, Senate Bill 384 transitioned California to a tier-based system effective January 1, 2021. This allows many registrants to petition for California sex offender registry removal after meeting specific time-based requirements.
Eligibility for Removal from the Sex Offender Registry
Eligibility for removal depends on your assigned tier, which is based on your conviction, risk assessment scores, and other legal factors. You must complete a minimum registration period (MRP) before you can petition the court. Time spent in custody does not count toward this period, and new convictions or failures to register can extend or reset your clock.
Tier 1: Lowest Risk
Tier 1 is for those deemed to present the lowest risk to public safety, typically involving misdemeanors or lower-level felony offenses. Registrants in this tier can petition for removal from the registry after 10 years.
Examples of Tier 1 offenses include:
- Indecent exposure
- Lewd acts in public
- Misdemeanor sexual battery
- Misdemeanor possession of child pornography
Tier 2: Moderate Risk
Tier 2 includes offenses considered to pose a higher risk to public safety. Individuals in this category can generally petition for removal after 20 years. A small number of Tier 2 offenses may qualify for a 10-year period if the offender was under 21 at the time of the offense and other specific criteria are met.
Examples of Tier 2 offenses include:
- Lewd acts with a child under 14 (PC 288(a))
- Sexual battery (PC 243.4)
- Non-forcible rape of an intoxicated adult
Tier 3: High Risk
Tier 3 offenses typically require lifetime registration. This tier includes violent crimes like rape or continuous sexual abuse, and anyone adjudicated as a Sexually Violent Predator. A narrow subclass of Tier 3 registrants—those designated based solely on a high risk-assessment score rather than an enumerated offense—may petition for removal after 20 years.
The Legal Process for Removal from the Sex Offender Registry
Removal from the sex offender registry is not automatic. You must continue to register until a judge grants your petition.
- File a Petition: File form CR-415 in the superior court of the county where you reside and register.
- Serve Required Parties: You must serve the District Attorney and the law enforcement agency in your county of residence, as well as the county of conviction if it is different.
- Provide Evidence: Your petition must include proof of current registration and evidence of rehabilitation, such as treatment certificates or letters of support.
- Agency Reports and Hearings: Law enforcement has 60 days to report on your eligibility, after which the District Attorney has 60 days to request a hearing to oppose the petition based on community safety concerns.
- Court Decision: A judge will decide whether to grant or deny your request. It typically takes at least 4 months to receive a ruling.
Why Choose Stein-Conaway Law Firm, P.C.
The removal process is complex, and a denied petition can force you to wait 1 to 5 years before you can refile. Attorney Kara Stein-Conaway, President of Stein-Conaway Law Firm, P.C., provides the meticulous preparation needed for a successful petition. A graduate of McGeorge School of Law with Distinction and a 2022 President of the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association, Kara brings an elite level of experience to every case.
With her background as a former Deputy Public Defender and a recognized Super Lawyer Rising Star, she understands how to counter prosecution objections with substantial evidence of rehabilitation. Contact our team today at 805-439-6069 to build a persuasive legal strategy for your removal from the sex offender registry.
This post was last updated on February 10, 2026.
