Connecticut — Registry Rules

• Who: People convicted or found NGRI of qualifying offenses, including minor-victim, nonviolent sexual, and sexually violent offenses, and certain felonies found to be for a sexual purpose; also qualifying out-of-state or federal/foreign convictions; see §54-251, §54-252, §54-254 & §54-253.
• Initial deadline: Deadline: Register in person within 3 days of release (or as DOC directs); out-of-state convictions must register without undue delay upon residing in CT (agency form notes “within 5 business days”); see §54-251(a), §54-253(a) and DESPP advisement DPS-694-C-3.
• Verification: Verification: DESPP mails an address verification every 90 days; return within 10 days by mail, fax, or email; photo retake at least every 5 years; see §54-257(c)–(d) and 2023 PA 23-193 summary (OLR).
• Primary method: Method: In person at DESPP Sex Offender Registry Unit for initial registration; continuing address verification by mail/fax/email; see DESPP form DPS-694-C-3 and §54-257(c).
• ⚠️ “Without undue delay” duties (name, address, school/work, internet IDs); CT criminalizes delays beyond 5 business days; see §54-251(a),(e) & §54-253(e).
• ⚠️ Miss a quarterly verification? DESPP notifies police to seek an arrest warrant; see §54-257(c).
• ⚠️ CT publishes registry online by statute; limited court-ordered nondissemination exists for narrow categories; see §54-258 & §54-255.
• ⚠️ No statewide residency-ban statute; supervision or local conditions may still restrict housing; see OLR report (2020-R-0337).

Who: People with qualifying CT convictions (minor-victim, nonviolent sexual, sexually violent) and certain felonies for a sexual purpose; also persons with qualifying out-of-state, federal, military, or foreign convictions who reside, work, or study in CT; see §54-251, §54-252, §54-254 & §54-253.

Duration: 10 years for nonviolent and minor-victim offenses under §54-251 and §54-254; lifetime for sexually violent offenses under §54-252.

• Initial: Register within 3 days of release (DOC may direct earlier) or without undue delay upon residing in CT with an out-of-state qualifying conviction; see §54-251(a) & §54-253(a).
• Verification: DESPP mails every 90 days; return within 10 days (mail/fax/email); see §54-257(c) & PA 23-193 (OLR).
• Changes: Name, address, employment/vocation, student status, and internet IDs must be reported without undue delay; criminal exposure if delay exceeds 5 business days; see §54-251(a),(e) & §54-253(b),(e).
• Photo: DESPP may require photograph retake; at least every 5 years; see §54-257(d).

• Initial registration is in person at DESPP SORU (Middletown); see DESPP advisement DPS-694-C-3.
• Quarterly address verification is by form mailed by DESPP; return by mail, fax, or email within 10 days; in-person verification only if no residential mail delivery; see §54-257(c).

Presence/Residence: No statewide residency-restriction statute; supervision conditions or local rules may limit housing or require pre-approval; see OLR summary (2020-R-0337).

• Work/School in CT: Report status and changes without undue delay; nonresidents working/studying in CT must register and maintain until activity ends; see §54-253(b)–(c).
• Out-of-state work/school: Notify DESPP and register in that state if required; see §54-251(a).
• Internet IDs: Register email/IM/online IDs and changes without undue delay; see §54-251(a) & §54-253(b).

• Public by default: DESPP must make registry info available online and at police; media notices at least quarterly; see §54-258(a).
• Court-limited cases: Courts may restrict public dissemination to law-enforcement-only for narrow categories (certain intrafamilial/age-based offenses and specified 1988–1999 cohorts) where publication would likely reveal victim identity and is not required for public safety; see §54-255(b)–(c).
• No risk hearing prerequisite: Public posting does not turn on individualized dangerousness; see Conn. Dep’t of Public Safety v. Doe, 538 U.S. 1 (Justia).

• Move out of CT: Notify DESPP without undue delay; if moving to another state, register there if required; see §54-251(a).
• Nonresident in CT: If you are employed, carry on a vocation, or are a student in CT, you must register without undue delay and maintain registration until the CT activity ends or you’re released from home-state duties; see §54-253(c).
• Recurring short visits (<5 days): Nonresident registered persons traveling in CT on a recurring basis must notify DESPP of temporary residence and a contact number; see §54-253(d).
• International travel: Federal SORNA recommends 21-day advance notice; DESPP advisement reiterates duty to report to registering agency; see DESPP form DPS-694-C-3.

• Short recurring visits: Nonresident registrants traveling in CT on a recurring basis for periods <5 days must notify DESPP of CT temporary residence and a phone number; see §54-253(d).

Penalties: Failure to register/verify or to report required changes is a Class D felony; failure tied to “without undue delay” becomes chargeable if the delay continues for 5 business days; police are directed to seek a warrant if verification is not returned; see §54-251(e), §54-253(e) & §54-257(c).

• Court exemptions from registration (limited): Court may exempt certain offenses if not required for public safety (e.g., §53a-71(a)(1) with offender under 19; certain §53a-73a(a)(2) and §53a-189a offenses); see §54-251(b)–(c).
• Restrict public dissemination: Eligible cohorts may petition to restrict dissemination to law enforcement only; see §54-255(b)–(c).
• Note: Connecticut otherwise provides no general removal mechanism from the registry under current law; see Sentencing Commission overview (proposal PDF).

• NGRI & PSRB: Persons found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect are included where statutes specify; see §54-251 & §54-252.
• Education notifications: DESPP must email school superintendents and municipal CEOs upon release or address change; see §54-258(a)(2)(B).

• Fees: No statute-set registry fee identified in Chapter 969; expect routine costs for mail/ID photos as applicable. Confirm latest practice via DESPP forms hub (DESPP Forms).

• Statute: Public Act 23-193 (SB 969) — 2023; effective 2023-10-01. Allows address-verification forms to be returned by fax or email in addition to mail; maintains 10-day return window and 90-day cadence. link
• Case: Connecticut Dept. of Public Safety v. Doe, 538 U.S. 1 — U.S. Supreme Court (2003-03-05) — Due process does not require a hearing on current dangerousness because CT’s scheme turns on conviction status, not risk. link
• Rule: §54-257(c) amendment via PA 23-193; effective 2023-10-01. Modernizes verification return methods (fax/email) and clarifies residence-address terminology.