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

Massachusetts — Registry Rules

Official-source summary for Massachusetts.

10/13/2025

Key Highlights

  • Residency Restrictions: Massachusetts has no statewide residency restrictions in M.G.L. c. 6, §§178C–178Q, and the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) has stated that local municipalities may not impose additional blanket residency bans conflicting with state law or constitutional protections (M.G.L. c. 6, §§178C–178Q; Doe v. Lynn, 472 Mass. 521 (2015)).
  • Presence / Proximity Rules: There are no statewide presence limits on entering schools, parks, or public areas; any restrictions arise only through probation, parole, or individualized court orders (§178H).
  • Duration of Registration: Registration lasts 20 years for most individuals, starting after final discharge from custody or supervision, and continues for life if classified as a sexually violent predator, designated lifetime, or with multiple qualifying convictions (§178G).
  • Tiering / Level System: Tier level affects public access and relief eligibility: only Level 2 and Level 3 appear publicly; Level 3 generally face stricter maintenance and review, while Level 1 offenders may qualify for earlier termination under SORB review rules (§178K; 803 CMR 1.30–1.31).

At a Glance

  • People who live, work, or attend school in Massachusetts and meet the statutory definition of a sex offender must register with the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) under M.G.L. c. 6, §§178C–178Q.
  • Initial deadline: New arrivals must register within 2 days of moving to Massachusetts; moves within MA require notice 10 days before the change; moving out requires notice 10 days before departure (§178E; see also Mass.gov guidance).
  • Verification: Unclassified/Level 1 verify annually by mail (§178F). Level 2/3 verify annually in person at local police; SVPs every 45 days; homeless every 30 days (§178F½).
  • Primary method: Level 2/3 in person at local police; Unclassified/Level 1 by mail to the Board; pay the statutory fee via mail or online portal (Register).
  • ⚠️ “Secondary address” triggers apply: ≥14 days/year or ≥4 days/month counts and must be reported, including out-of-state locations (§178C definitions; Mass.gov explainer).
  • ⚠️ Level 2 offenders classified after July 12, 2013 appear online; earlier Level 2s are available through police/SORI requests (Mass.gov Levels; Moe v. SORB).
  • ⚠️ Failing to register, verify, or give timely notice is a crime with mandatory penalties (§178H).
  • ⚠️ Level 2/3 must update photo/fingerprints at in-person verification (§178F½).
  • ⚠️ Annual $75 registration fee; hardship waivers possible; online payments add convenience fees (Mass.gov fee page; payment portal; 803 CMR 1.00).

Official Links

What this means in practice

  • If you live, work, or study in MA and have a qualifying sex offense, you must register.
  • Register within 2 days of moving; give 10 days’ notice for moves.
  • Level 2/3 check in in person yearly; Level 1/Unclassified by mail.

Watch-outs

  • Staying ≥14 days/year or ≥4 days/month triggers a reportable address.
  • Not registering or verifying is a crime.

Based on current M.G.L. c.6 §§178C–178Q and 803 CMR 1.00.

Reviewed 10/13/2025

Who Must Register & Duration

Anyone who resides, works, or attends an institution of higher learning in MA and who has a qualifying conviction (or a like offense from another jurisdiction) must register with SORB under §§178C–178Q. Definitions include reporting of secondary addresses (≥14 days/year or ≥4 days/month) and work/school locations (§178C; §178F).

Duration: Registration lasts 20 years for most individuals, starting after final discharge from custody or supervision, and continues for life if classified as a sexually violent predator, designated lifetime, or with multiple qualifying convictions (§178G).

Deadlines & Reporting Triggers

  • Within 2 days of moving into Massachusetts: initial registration (Mass.gov).
  • 10 days before moving within MA or leaving MA (§178E(h),(i)).
  • Unclassified/Level 1: annual mail verification (§178F).
  • Level 2/3: annual in-person verification at local police; photo/fingerprints updated (§178F½).
  • SVPs: every 45 days in person; Homeless: every 30 days (§178F½).

What this means in practice

  • 2 days to register after moving into MA.
  • 10 days before any move or school/work change.
  • Annual or periodic verification depending on level.

See §178E–178F½.

Verification & In-Person Requirements

  • Level 2/3 verify annually in person at the police department where they live or work; photo and fingerprints updated (§178F½).
  • SVPs verify every 45 days; homeless Level 2/3 verify every 30 days (§178F½).

What this means in practice

  • Level 2/3 verify yearly at police; SVPs every 45 days; homeless every 30 days.

From §178F½.

Residency, Presence, & Loitering Restrictions

A secondary address is any place you stay ≥14 days/year or ≥4 days/month, including out-of-state locations, and must be reported (§178C; Mass.gov explainer).

What this means in practice

  • A place stayed ≥14 days/year or ≥4 days/month must be reported, even if out-of-state.

Defined in §178C.

Employment, Education, & Internet Use

  • Report work address and school enrollment; 10 days’ prior notice of changes (§178E).
  • MA does not collect or publish internet identifiers; see 803 CMR 1.00.

Public Website Exposure

  • Level 3 offenders and Level 2 classified after July 12, 2013 appear on SORB’s public site; earlier Level 2 data available only via police or SORI request (SORB).
  • Public may also request info via SORI request.

Travel & Relocation (Interstate Moves)

  • Notify SORB 10 days before leaving MA (§178E(i)).
  • Out-of-state workers or students in MA must register; extended visits meeting secondary address thresholds trigger registration (§178C).

Visiting or Traveling in the State

  • Short visits below 14-day/4-day thresholds don’t require registration, but exceeding them does (§178C).
  • Working or attending school in MA while living elsewhere requires registration (§178F).

Compliance & Enforcement

Failure to register, verify, or give notice is a crime under §178H. Agencies cross-check data; audits confirm compliance tracking (2023 audit).

What this means in practice

  • Failure to register or verify is prosecuted under §178H.
  • Audits and data-matching ensure compliance.

See audit report.

Relief Paths

  • Registration ends after 20 years unless lifetime applies (§178G).
  • Early termination possible after 10 offense-free years on petition to SORB (803 CMR 1.30–1.31).

What this means in practice

  • Most registrants end after 20 years, some lifetime.
  • You can seek early termination after 10 years offense-free.

Per §178G and 803 CMR 1.30–1.31.

Special Populations

  • Juveniles register 20 years; lifetime does not apply automatically (CPCS FAQ).
  • Homeless verify every 30 days (§178F½).

Costs & Payments

Recent Changes & Litigation

  • Rule: 803 CMR 1.00; effective 2025-04-25. Comprehensive SORB regulation update; confirms procedures for classification, dissemination, and relief motions. link
  • Case: Moe v. Sex Offender Registry Board, 467 Mass. 598 — Mass. SJC (2014-01-10) — Bars internet publication of Level 2 offenders classified on or before July 12, 2013. link
  • Statute: §178Q (fee) – ongoing — codified; effective current. Maintains $75 annual fee for finally classified registrants, with hardship waiver authority. link

Compliance Checklists & Scripts

New Arrival: First 30 Days

  • Confirm you must register under §§178C–178Q.
  • Register within 2 days of moving to MA (use local police for Level 2/3; mail to SORB for Level 1) (how to register).
  • List all secondary addresses (≥14 days/year or ≥4 days/month), including any out-of-state stays (§178C).
  • Report work and school information; give 10 days’ prior notice for changes (§178E).
  • Calendar verification cadence (annual / 45-day SVP / 30-day homeless) (§178F; §178F½).
  • Pay $75 fee or request hardship waiver (§178Q).
  • Keep copies of forms, receipts, and proof of mailing/appearance.

Moving Out / Traveling

  • File 10 days’ prior notice to SORB before leaving MA (§178E(i)).
  • Verify destination-state requirements and deadlines.
  • Return any local verification cards; keep proof of notices.

Records Request Template

Subject: Public Records Request – SORB Records

To: SORB Records Access Officer

I request records under G.L. c.66, §10 regarding: [describe]. Please provide electronic copies and advise of any fees in advance. Thank you.

Name:
Contact:

(Use the SORB public records page at https://www.mass.gov/public-records-for-the-sex-offender-registry-board.)

Relief Petition Outline

1) Caption and jurisdiction under §178G and 803 CMR 1.30–1.31; 2) Procedural posture and level; 3) Offense-free period and risk-reduction evidence; 4) Treatment, housing, employment; 5) Legal standard (clear and convincing); 6) Requested relief (termination or reclassification); 7) Exhibits.

Tips for using these checklists

  • First 30 days: register, list secondary addresses, set verification cadence, and handle the fee/waiver.
  • Moving out / traveling: give 10 days’ prior notice and check the destination state’s rules.

Follow the steps on Register and statutory notices in §178E.

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.