The SOLAR Project - Sex Offender Legal Advocacy & Reform
📍 STATE GUIDE

Indiana — Registry Rules

Official-source summary for Indiana.

10/13/2025

Key Highlights

  • Residency Restrictions: SVPs and offenders against children may not reside within 1,000 feet of school property, youth program centers, or public parks, and may not establish a residence within 1 mile of the victim; see IC 35-42-4-11.
  • Presence / Proximity Rules: A serious sex offender (including SVPs) generally may not enter school property except narrow statutory exceptions, and employment/volunteering near schools, youth program centers, and parks is barred; see IC 35-42-4-14 and IC 35-42-4-11.
  • Duration of Registration: Registration lasts 10 years by default, but lifetime for SVPs and specified offenses or when lifetime applies from another jurisdiction; see IC 11-8-8-19 and the IDOC Registry.
  • Tiering / Level System: Indiana uses category designations (Sex Offender/Offender Against Children/SVP) rather than tiers; verification is annual or every 90 days for SVPs; see IC 11-8-8-14.

At a Glance

  • Who: Individuals meeting the definition of a “sex or violent offender” must register if they live, work, own qualifying property, or attend school in Indiana; see IC 11-8-8-7.
  • Initial deadline: Deadline: Register in person with the local law enforcement authority not later than 72 hours after release or after establishing a qualifying presence; facilities must pre-notify and advise per IC 11-8-8-9 and the 72-hour reporting window appears in IC 11-8-8-7.
  • Verification: Verification: Annual in-person reporting for most; quarterly (every 90 days) for Sexually Violent Predators; see IC 11-8-8-14 and sheriff verification visits in IC 11-8-8-13.
  • Primary method: Method: Register and verify in person with the sheriff or designated local authority in each county where duties attach (residence, work, school); see IC 11-8-8-7(c)–(d).
  • ⚠️ Duties attach in every relevant county (residence, employment, school); see IC 11-8-8-7.
  • ⚠️ Changes to address, employment, school, or internet identifiers must be reported within 72 hours; see IC 11-8-8-11(f).
  • ⚠️ Some categories require lifetime registration; see IC 11-8-8-19.
  • ⚠️ Residency restrictions apply to offenders against children and SVPs; see IC 35-42-4-11.
  • ⚠️ Failure to register/verify is a Level 6 felony (can elevate); see IC 11-8-8-17.

Official Links

What this means in practice

  • If you live, work, study, or own covered property in Indiana and your offense qualifies, you must register in person with the sheriff.
  • Most people verify annually; Sexually Violent Predators verify every 90 days.
  • Missing deadlines or failing to report changes can be charged as a felony.

Watch-outs

  • You must register in each county where duties apply (home, job, school).
  • Changes to address, job/school, or online usernames are due in 72 hours.
  • Some people register for life depending on offense or designation.

Summarized from IC 11-8-8-7, IC 11-8-8-14, IC 11-8-8-19, and the IDOC registry hub.

Reviewed 10/13/2025

Who Must Register & Duration

Scope: A “sex or violent offender” as defined in IC 11-8-8-5 (and “sex offender” in IC 11-8-8-4.5) must register if residing, employed, owning covered property, or enrolled as a student in Indiana per IC 11-8-8-7.

Duration: Registration lasts 10 years by default, but lifetime for SVPs and specified offenses or when lifetime applies from another jurisdiction; see IC 11-8-8-19 and the IDOC Registry.

What this means in practice

  • Indiana uses the term sex or violent offender; if you meet that definition, you must register where you live, work, study, or own covered property.

Watch-outs

  • Out-of-state registrants can have their status/duration applied in Indiana.

See definitions in IC 11-8-8-5 and duty triggers in IC 11-8-8-7.

Deadlines & Reporting Triggers

  • Initial: Facility pre-notice and transmission; offender must report within 72 hours post-release/placement; see IC 11-8-8-9 and IC 11-8-8-7.
  • Changes: Address, employment/vocation, school, and electronic identifiers must be reported in person within 72 hours; see IC 11-8-8-11.
  • Ongoing: Annual (or 90-day for SVP) in-person reporting/photographing per IC 11-8-8-14.

What this means in practice

  • Initial registration is tied to release/entry and must occur quickly (within 72 hours).
  • Most changes (address, job/school, internet IDs) must be reported in person within 72 hours.

Watch-outs

  • When changing county or state, both current and destination agencies get involved.

Timing and change rules appear in IC 11-8-8-9 and IC 11-8-8-11; initial 72-hour report appears in IC 11-8-8-7.

Verification & In-Person Requirements

  • Annual in-person re-registration and photo in each county of duty; see IC 11-8-8-14(a).
  • SVP: In-person every 90 days; see IC 11-8-8-14(b).
  • Local authorities also conduct address verification visits; see IC 11-8-8-13.

What this means in practice

  • Most verify once per year; SVPs verify every 90 days; expect photos each time.
  • Local authorities also do address confirmation visits.

Watch-outs

  • You must complete verification in every county where you have a duty.

See IC 11-8-8-14 for cadence and IC 11-8-8-13 for verification visits.

Residency, Presence, & Loitering Restrictions

Presence & residency: Duties attach where you reside, work, own covered property, or attend school; counties of duty are enumerated in IC 11-8-8-7(b)–(e). Separate residency restriction rules apply to offenders against children and SVPs under IC 35-42-4-11.

What this means in practice

  • Duties attach based on residence, employment, school, or covered property.
  • Separate residency and employment restrictions apply to certain categories.

Watch-outs

  • Restrictions are strict for offenders against children and SVPs.

Duty counties in IC 11-8-8-7(b)–(e) and restrictions in IC 35-42-4-11.

Employment, Education, & Internet Use

  • Employment/Vocation: Register in each county where employed or carries on a vocation; see IC 11-8-8-7(c).
  • Students: Register in each county of enrollment; see IC 11-8-8-7(d).
  • Internet identifiers: Provide and keep current email, IM/chat, social networking usernames; see IC 11-8-8-8 and change window in IC 11-8-8-11(f).

What this means in practice

  • Report jobs/vocation and school enrollment; provide email/usernames and update within 72 hours of any change.

Watch-outs

  • Each county where you work or study is an additional in-person duty.

See IC 11-8-8-7(c)–(d), required data in IC 11-8-8-8, and change window in IC 11-8-8-11(f).

Public Website Exposure

What this means in practice

  • Your record (photo, address, offense data) appears on the public registry and is updated frequently.

Watch-outs

  • The sheriffs’ website must be updated at least daily.

Posting/updates: IC 36-2-13-5.5 and the IDOC registry portal.

Travel & Relocation (Interstate Moves)

  • If moving to a new county or new state, the current authority must notify the destination jurisdiction; registrant must report/comply with new jurisdiction; see IC 11-8-8-11(b), (e).

What this means in practice

  • Moving counties or states triggers notifications and new registration duties.

Watch-outs

  • You must still comply with the new state’s deadlines and rules.

Notification provisions in IC 11-8-8-11(b), (e).

Visiting or Traveling in the State

  • Temporary residence: Persons in transitional/temporary housing must register in person with the county of the temporary residence; see IC 11-8-8-12.
  • Short stays: Duties can attach even without long-term residence based on presence, work, or school per IC 11-8-8-7.

What this means in practice

  • If placed in temporary housing, you must register in person in that county.
  • Short-term presence can trigger duties depending on activity and duration.

Watch-outs

  • Confirm with the local sheriff if your travel/work plan crosses county lines.

Temporary residence duties in IC 11-8-8-12 and general triggers in IC 11-8-8-7.

Compliance & Enforcement

Penalties: Knowingly or intentionally failing to register/verify, failing to register in person, giving material misstatements, or not residing at the registered address is a Level 6 felony (can elevate); see IC 11-8-8-17.

What this means in practice

  • Failing to register/verify, failing to do so in person, or giving false info can be charged as a Level 6 felony (can elevate).

Watch-outs

  • Inability to pay a local fee is not a defense to a failure-to-register charge.

See IC 11-8-8-17 and county fee scheme in IC 36-2-13-5.6.

Relief Paths

  • Statutory relief: Petition under IC 11-8-8-22 for removal/reduction when law changes are ameliorative.
  • SVP reconsideration: Courts may reevaluate SVP status under IC 35-38-1-7.5(g) (see statute pathway).

What this means in practice

  • You may petition for relief if later statutory changes reduce obligations.
  • SVPs may seek reconsideration of the SVP designation after a waiting period.

Watch-outs

  • Relief is narrow and fact-specific; eligibility depends on the statute and dates.

Primary pathway in IC 11-8-8-22 and SVP review in IC 35-38-1-7.5(g).

Special Populations

  • Offenders against children / SVPs: Subject to enhanced residency and employment restrictions; see IC 35-42-4-11.
  • Out-of-state registrants: Status/duration can carry over and be lifetime under IC 11-8-8-19.
  • Certain juveniles: Some juvenile adjudications are included in the definitions; see IC 11-8-8-5.

Costs & Payments

  • Counties may charge up to $50 annually and $5 per address change if adopted by ordinance; see IC 36-2-13-5.6.
  • Examples: Vigo County sets $50 annual / $5 change; see Vigo Sheriff.

Recent Changes & Litigation

  • Statute: Ongoing codification updates to Chapter 11-8-8 — 2024–2025 Code maintenance; effective Current as posted. Indiana maintains annual code updates; verify current text of §§ 7, 11, 13–14, 19 for deadlines, verification cadence, and duration. link

Compliance Checklists & Scripts

New Arrival: First 30 Days

  • Find the sheriff/local authority for every county where you live, work, or study; see IC 11-8-8-7.
  • Register in person within your window (72 hours or sooner if directed); see IC 11-8-8-7.
  • Bring IDs, address proof, employment/school info, vehicles, and internet identifiers; see IC 11-8-8-8.
  • Ask for a receipt and confirm your next verification date; see IC 11-8-8-14.

Moving Out / Traveling

  • Report in person before/within 72 hours of address change; see IC 11-8-8-11(a).
  • If changing county or state, ensure both current and destination jurisdictions are notified/registered; see IC 11-8-8-11(b), (e).
  • Budget for any local fees (up to $50 annually / $5 per change) where adopted; see IC 36-2-13-5.6.

Records Request Template

Hello Records Officer: Under Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act, I request my current and historical registry file (photos, forms, notices, verification logs, NCIC/IDACS updates) maintained under IC 11-8-8 and any local fee records under IC 36-2-13-5.6. Please include copies in electronic form.

Relief Petition Outline

Caption & parties → Jurisdiction/venue → Prior registration history and current designation/duration under IC 11-8-8-19 → Basis for relief under ameliorative changes in IC 11-8-8-22 → Requested order to remove duty or adjust terms → Service on IDOC/Sheriff → Proposed order.

Tips for using these checklists

  • Use these lists to track in-person duties, 72-hour change reporting, and cross-county moves.
  • Template language references the controlling Indiana Code sections.

Steps track IC 11-8-8-7, -8, -9, -11, -14, -19 and fee handling under IC 36-2-13-5.6.

Citations

🤝 This guide was created from official legal sources and checked with the help of AI-assisted research. We strive for accuracy and clarity — if you spot something that seems off or out of date, please let us know so we can correct it for everyone.

Informational only; not legal advice.