Santa Cruz County Sex Offender Registry

Santa Cruz County requires all sex offenders to register with the county sheriff. The registration office is in Nogales, the county seat. You can search for sex offenders living in Santa Cruz County online through the OffenderWatch system. The registry covers Nogales, Rio Rico, Tubac, Patagonia, and other communities in this southern Arizona border county. This page explains how to search the database and what the registration process involves.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Sex Offender Registration

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office handles all sex offender registration for the county. Their office is at 2170 N Congress Drive in Nogales, AZ 85621. The phone number for sex offender matters is (520) 761-7869.

Sex offenders must register in person at the sheriff's office. Bring valid identification and be prepared to provide your current address, employment details, and vehicle information. Staff will take a photo and fingerprints. The registration gets entered into the state database and becomes visible on public search portals.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff website has general information about the department. For sex offender specific questions, call the number listed above and speak with registration staff.

Santa Cruz County is one of the smaller counties in Arizona. The sheriff maintains close oversight of registered offenders.

Searching Santa Cruz County Sex Offenders

You can search the Santa Cruz County sex offender registry online. The search tool is free and available to the public.

Enter a name to look for a specific person. Or enter an address, city, or zip code to see offenders near a location. Results include photos, addresses, and offense information for each registered sex offender. The map view shows where offenders live in relation to any point you select. This covers Nogales, Rio Rico, Tubac, Patagonia, and all other Santa Cruz County communities.

The database updates as offenders register or change their information. New registrations typically appear within a few days of being processed. Check back periodically to stay informed about who lives in your area.

Note: Low-risk offenders may not appear in public searches based on Arizona notification rules.

Santa Cruz County Registration Requirements

Sex offenders in Santa Cruz County must follow Arizona state law. The rules are the same across all 15 counties.

Initial registration must happen within 10 days of conviction or release from custody. People moving to Santa Cruz County from another state have 72 hours after arriving to register if they were required to register elsewhere. This window excludes weekends and legal holidays. Call the sheriff's office as soon as you arrive to complete your registration on time.

Annual registration occurs during your birth month. The $250 assessment fee is due each year. You must appear in person to verify your information and take a new photo. Address changes require notice within 72 hours. The same applies to job changes, vehicle changes, and new online accounts. Staying current is the only way to remain in compliance.

Failure to register or update information is a Class 4 felony under A.R.S. Section 13-3824.

Border County Considerations

Santa Cruz County shares a border with Mexico. Nogales, Arizona, sits directly across from Nogales, Sonora. The sheriff coordinates with federal agencies on cross-border issues related to sex offender tracking.

Sex offenders who travel to Mexico must still maintain their Arizona registration. Time spent out of the country does not pause requirements. If you leave and return, your information must remain current. The sheriff monitors border crossing patterns and follows up on tips about offenders who may be evading registration. Living near the border does not change the rules.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Santa Cruz County borders Pima and Cochise counties. Offenders moving to a new county must register with that sheriff within 72 hours.