Sex Offender Registration in Tattnall County (GA): Deadlines, Fees, and a Family Checklist

Here's the starting point: anyone convicted on or after July 1, 1996 of a criminal offense against a minor must register as a sexual offender in Tattnall County. If you're helping a family member plan for release, a move, or a change in living situation, treat registration as urgent - not something to handle later.

Initial registration runs on a 72-hour clock. A sexual offender must register with the sheriff of the county where they live within 72 hours after release from prison, placement on parole, supervised release, or probation - or within 72 hours after entering Georgia. That's not much time. Have a plan ready: know where the person will stay and which county sheriff they need to report to, so those first three days don't slip away in the chaos of reentry.

After registration, changes still have deadlines. If the person changes any required registration information (other than their residence address), they must notify the sheriff of the county where they're registered within 72 hours. This is the rule that catches people off guard - small life updates can still trigger a short reporting window.

1. Notify the last registering county before the move - If the person is changing residence, they must give the new address information to the sheriff of the county where they last registered within 72 hours prior to moving.
2. Notify the new county after the move - They must also give the new address information to the sheriff of the county they are moving to within 72 hours after the move.

There's also an annual renewal tied to the person's birthday. Sexual offenders must report to the sheriff of the county where they live within 72 hours before their birthday each year to be photographed and fingerprinted. Put this on a shared calendar with reminders. Missing the birthday window can quickly become a legal emergency.

• ✓ If the person was convicted of a dangerous sexual offense on or after July 1, 2006, plan for an annual $250 registration fee.
• ✓ The $250 fee is paid to the sheriff of the county where the person resides.
• ✓ The fee is due upon each anniversary (yearly).

If you believe a sexual offender's address is incorrect on the registry, contact the sheriff of the offender's county of residence. Start with the county where the person currently lives - that's the office responsible for the local registration record.

Quick Checklist for Families

• ✓ Confirm whether the person falls under the rule requiring registration for convictions on or after July 1, 1996 involving a minor victim.
• ✓ Track the initial deadline: register with the sheriff of the county of residence within 72 hours after release/placement on parole, supervised release, probation, or entry into Georgia.
• ✓ Treat updates as urgent: if any required registration information changes (other than residence), report the new information to the registering county sheriff within 72 hours.
• ✓ If moving residences, follow both deadlines: notify the last registering county sheriff within 72 hours prior to moving, and notify the new county sheriff within 72 hours after the move.
• ✓ Put the birthday renewal on the calendar: report to the county sheriff within 72 hours prior to the birthday each year to be photographed and fingerprinted.
• ✓ Budget for the annual fee if it applies: people convicted of a dangerous sexual offense on or after July 1, 2006 must pay a $250 annual registration fee to the county sheriff upon each anniversary.
• ✓ Take noncompliance seriously: failure to comply, giving false information, or missing the birthday response window can be a felony punishable by 10 to 30 years imprisonment for a first offense.

Wondering where the official record lives? The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is the central repository for Georgia's Violent Sexual Offender Registry under O.C.G.A. § 42-1-12. Local sheriff's offices handle registration, but the statewide registry is centralized through the GBI.

Not sure which deadline applies? Start with the sheriff's office in the county where the person resides (or last registered) and ask what needs to be reported and when. Treat registration like a standing appointment - especially around moves and birthdays - and you'll avoid the missed windows that trigger serious consequences.