Every California residential purchase contract includes a Megan's Law notice — but it points you to a public database to do your own search; it does not name anyone for you.
What the Megan's Law notice is
Under California Civil Code Section 2079.10a, every residential purchase agreement (and residential lease) must contain a statutory Megan's Law notice. In the current C.A.R. Residential Purchase Agreement this language is pre-printed in the contract, so most transactions no longer use a separate stand-alone form — the parties simply initial the paragraph along with the other statutory disclosures.
The notice informs buyers that, under Penal Code Section 290.46, information about specified registered sex offenders is made available to the public on a Department of Justice website. Depending on the offender's history, the database may show a specific address or only the community and ZIP code.
How to use the meganslaw.ca.gov website
The official site is meganslaw.ca.gov, operated by the California Office of the Attorney General / Department of Justice. You can search by name or browse by geographic area such as city, ZIP code, or around an address.
- Run the search yourself, on your own device, as part of your due diligence.
- Read the site's terms of use. California law restricts using the information to harass, discriminate against, or commit crimes against registrants — misuse can carry penalties.
- Re-check before close, since the database is updated over time.
Why your agent does not (and cannot) research offenders
This is the part buyers most often misunderstand. Your REALTOR® does not and cannot research, interpret, or disclose information about specific registered offenders, and is not required to provide any information beyond the statutory notice. The law gives a safe harbor: once the notice is delivered, the seller and broker need not provide additional information about the proximity of registrants.
There is also a fair housing dimension. An agent steering a buyer toward or away from a neighborhood based on the presence of registrants — or on the protected characteristics of residents — can violate fair housing law. To stay neutral and compliant, agents direct every buyer to the same public database to search independently.
What this means for your due diligence
If proximity to registered offenders matters to you, build the search into your own homework, the same way you would research schools, commute, or noise:
- Search meganslaw.ca.gov yourself, early in your contingency period.
- Search the surrounding area, not just the exact address, if that is your concern.
- Re-run the search again before you remove contingencies and again before closing.
- If you have questions about what you find, consult an attorney — not your agent — for interpretation.
Important Disclaimer
Brian Cooper is a licensed REALTOR® with eXp Realty, not an attorney or CPA. This page is general information about California real estate practice and is not legal or tax advice. Disclosure laws and the standard C.A.R. forms change, and every transaction is different. Confirm the specifics for your situation with the appropriate licensed professional (real estate attorney, CPA, or your county) and the current California law and C.A.R. forms before you act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Megan's Law notice required in California contracts?
Yes. California Civil Code Section 2079.10a requires the statutory Megan's Law notice in every residential purchase and lease agreement. In the current C.A.R. purchase agreement it is pre-printed in the contract.
Will my real estate agent tell me if a registered offender lives nearby?
No. Agents and sellers do not and cannot research, interpret, or disclose information about specific registrants. They are only required to deliver the statutory notice that directs you to the public database.
Where is the official Megan's Law database?
It is meganslaw.ca.gov, maintained by the California Department of Justice / Office of the Attorney General. You can search by name or by geographic area.
Why won't my agent just look it up for me?
Beyond not being required to, steering a buyer toward or away from a home based on registrant information or on residents' protected characteristics can raise fair housing concerns. Agents direct every buyer to the same public database to search independently.
Can I misuse the information on the site?
No. California law restricts using the database information to harass, discriminate against, or commit crimes against registrants. Read the site's terms of use; misuse can carry legal penalties.
How often should I check the database during my purchase?
Search early in your contingency period, again before you remove contingencies, and again before closing, since the database is updated over time.
