The research examined the operational arrangements of a registry; the role of interagency cooperation in registration; the impact of registers on the investigation, detection, and prevention of offenses; the means by which registers are maintained and updated; and the disclosure of information from the registers. Results revealed diverse practices and perceptions related to the operation of sex offender registries. Findings also indicated that this diversity will decrease in the future and a national database will be established as a result of the enactment of national legislation that requires the standardization of the data collected and regular verification of the data. The experiences of the sex offender registers suggests that several features are crucial to organizational success. These include making a single agency responsible for the oversight and maintenance of the register, adequate advance notification of release given to the police and other agencies, and clear procedures to inform those required to register. List of additional features, figures, table, list of other publications from the same organization, and 43 references