The Animagus Registry is a Ministry of Magic registry service, presumably under the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Animagi are required to submit themselves once they acquire the ability to turn into an animal, and failure to do so results in imprisonment in Azkaban. The registry is available to public view, so as to ensure the registered individuals do not abuse their abilities. The registry did not exist until at least 1422, during the time of Lisette de Lapin (allegedly was an animagus).