If you’re looking for a quick list of every state with a public domestic violence registry, I have some news that might surprise you. Honestly, as of early 2026, there is only one. Just one.
Tennessee is the first and currently the only state in the U.S. to launch a public, state-run registry specifically for domestic violence offenders. It went live on January 1, 2026.
For years, people have assumed these registries exist everywhere, just like sex offender registries. They don’t. While almost every state has a database for sex offenders, the legal world has been much slower to create a "wall of shame" for domestic abusers.
The Tennessee Breakthrough: Savanna’s Law
You've probably heard the name Savanna Puckett. She was a 22-year-old sheriff’s deputy in Robertson County, Tennessee, who was murdered by an ex-boyfriend in 2022. After she died, her family found out her killer had a long, ugly history of domestic violence and stalking.
Her mother, Kim Dodson, has been vocal about one thing: if Savanna had known about that history, she might still be here today. That’s the heart of Savanna’s Law.
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The registry, managed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), isn’t for everyone. It targets "persistent" offenders. Basically, you have to be convicted of a qualifying domestic violence offense on or after January 1, 2026, and have at least one prior conviction for a similar crime.
It’s a tiered system. If you have one prior conviction, you’re on the list for 5 years. Four or more? You’re looking at 20 years. It includes your name, photo, and conviction details, but for safety reasons, it doesn't list home addresses or Social Security numbers.
Why Don't Other States Have One?
It seems like a no-brainer, right? If someone is dangerous, the public should know. But it’s actually incredibly controversial.
Most people don't realize that many domestic violence advocacy groups actually oppose these registries. It sounds counterintuitive, but here’s why:
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- Victim Privacy: Because domestic violence happens between people who know each other, outing the abuser often outs the victim. If you search for an ex-husband on a public registry in a small town, everyone knows exactly who the victim was.
- The False Sense of Security: This is a big one. Most domestic abusers are never actually convicted. They might take a plea deal for a lesser charge like "disturbing the peace," which wouldn't land them on a registry. If a woman checks a registry and sees no results, she might think she's safe when she isn't.
- Retaliation: There’s a very real fear that if an abuser is publicly shamed, they’ll take it out on the victim who reported them.
States like New York, Texas, and Illinois have looked at similar bills over the last decade. Most of them died in committee. Some local jurisdictions have tried—Suffolk County in New York passed an ordinance for one years ago—but getting these databases fully operational and public is a logistical and legal nightmare.
What About the "National Domestic Violence Registry"?
If you Google this, you’ll find a website called the National Domestic Violence Registry (NDVR).
It is not a government agency. It’s a private non-profit. While they try to compile records, it is nowhere near as comprehensive as the official sex offender registries mandated by federal laws like the Adam Walsh Act. Because it’s private, it relies on manual entries and public record searches, which means it’s often incomplete.
Other States With "Sorta" Registries
While Tennessee is the only one with a dedicated, public-facing portal just for this, other states use "Violent Offender" registries that sometimes overlap.
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- Indiana: They have a "Sex and Violent Offender Registry." It includes people convicted of specific violent crimes, which can sometimes include domestic-related felony battery.
- West Virginia: They maintain a Domestic Violence Database, but it’s primarily used by law enforcement and the courts to track protection orders and history, rather than being a "search-your-neighbor" public tool.
- California: They have a "Domestic Partners Registry," but don't get confused—that’s just for legalizing partnerships, not tracking crimes.
How to Actually Check Someone’s History
Since you can’t rely on a "Domestic Violence Registry" in 49 states, how do you actually find out if someone has a history? You have to do the legwork.
Most states have an online court record portal. In many places, this is called CCAP or Case Search. You can search by name to see criminal convictions. It’s not as pretty as a registry, and you often have to know which county the person lived in, but it’s the most accurate way to see a person's "rap sheet."
Also, keep in mind that "Domestic Violence" isn't always the name of the charge. Look for things like:
- Aggravated Assault
- Battery
- Harassment
- Stalking
- Violation of a Protective Order
The Reality of 2026
We are in a weird middle ground. Tennessee is the "guinea pig." Lawmakers in other states are watching to see if the Tennessee registry actually lowers the homicide rate or if it just creates more legal headaches.
If you're in a situation where you feel unsafe, a registry—even the one in Tennessee—is a reactive tool. It tells you what happened in the past. It doesn't always predict the future.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Local Court Portals: If you’re in a state like Florida, Maryland, or Wisconsin, use the official "Judiciary Case Search" websites. They are free and provide more detail than any private registry.
- Use the National Domestic Violence Hotline: If you are worried about a partner, call 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. They can help you run a "safety plan" that is much more effective than just checking a database.
- Search for Protective Orders: Many states allow you to search specifically for civil injunctions or restraining orders, which might show up even if a criminal conviction doesn't.
- Watch the News in Your State: Bills similar to Savanna's Law are currently being discussed in several state legislatures. You can check your state's "General Assembly" website and search for "Domestic Violence Registry" to see if any laws are pending.