Key Highlights
- Residency Restrictions: Vermont has no statewide residency restrictions on where registrants may live once supervision ends. Cities and towns are not authorized under state law to create local buffer zones or residency bans; any attempted municipal ordinance would likely be preempted by 13 V.S.A. Chapter 167 and overseen by the Vermont Department of Public Safety.
- Presence / Proximity Rules: There are no statewide presence or proximity restrictions (e.g., near schools, parks, or childcare facilities). Any site-specific restrictions apply only as individual supervision conditions under probation, parole, or furlough; see 13 V.S.A. § 5407 and related Department of Corrections guidance.
- Duration of Registration: Registry duration depends on classification: 10 years for most qualifying convictions, or lifetime for aggravated sexual assault, multiple convictions, or failure to comply; see 13 V.S.A. § 5407(f).
- Tiering / Level System: Vermont operates a two-tier system distinguishing 10-year versus lifetime registrants. Tier level affects only how long registration lasts—not the reporting frequency, which remains annual in-person verification for all; see VSP Sex Offender Registry and VCIC Registry FAQ.
At a Glance
- People convicted of Vermont registrable offenses and people with comparable out-of-state, federal, or military convictions who live, work, or study in Vermont. Duties are in 13 V.S.A. §5407 and definitions in §5401.
- Initial deadline: Move-ins, workers, or students: register within 10 days of establishing presence. Visitors: 10 consecutive days or 30 days/year triggers a duty. See §5407(a)(1).
- Verification: Annually by mail (return within 10 days after your birthday). Sexually Violent Predators verify every 90 days. See §5407(e).
- Primary method: Central registry via VCIC (mail/phone). Photo and fingerprints at Vermont State Police when instructed. See VCIC—Vermont registrants and VCIC—out-of-state.
- ⚠️ Report address, employment, school, or legal name changes within 3 days; certain high-risk address changes within 36 hours. See §5407(d) and §5411b(c).
- ⚠️ Knowing failure to comply is a felony. See §5409.
- ⚠️ Not all registrants are on the public site; posting depends on offense/risk. See §5411a.
Official Links
What this means in practice
- Most registrants complete 10 years after supervision; some offenses/designations are lifetime.
- Updates are fast: 3 days for changes; annual verification near your birthday; SVP verify every 90 days.
Watch-outs
- Visitors who reach 10 consecutive days or 30 total days in a year must register.
- Not everyone appears on the public site; posting depends on offense and risk.
Cross-checked with §5407, §5401, and VCIC guidance.
Who Must Register & Duration
Adults convicted of listed sex offenses (e.g., §3252 sexual assault; §3253 aggravated sexual assault; §2601 lewd and lascivious conduct; §2602 with a child; Chapter 64 child-exploitation) and comparable out-of-state, federal, or military convictions under §5401. Move-ins, workers, and students from out of state must register. See §5407(a)(1).
Duration: Registry duration depends on classification: 10 years for most qualifying convictions, or lifetime for aggravated sexual assault, multiple convictions, or failure to comply; see 13 V.S.A. § 5407(f).
Deadlines & Reporting Triggers
- Initial report for out-of-state conviction moving to or working/studying in VT: within 10 days. See §5407(a)(1).
- Annual verification: sign and return within 10 days after birthday. See §5407(e)(1).
- Changes (address, employment, post-secondary school, legal name): within 3 days; certain high-risk address changes within 36 hours. See §5407(d) and §5411b(c).
What this means in practice
- Register within 10 days of establishing residence, employment, or school enrollment.
- Report changes within 3 days; certain high-risk address changes within 36 hours.
Watch-outs
- Changing college enrollment counts as a school change and must be reported within 3 days.
- Keep proof of when you mailed or delivered verification to VCIC.
Derived from §5407 and §5411b; procedures confirmed with VCIC.
Verification & In-Person Requirements
- VCIC mails verification around your birthday; you must sign and return within 10 days. See §5407(e).
- Sexually Violent Predators verify every 90 days. See §5407(e)(2).
- VCIC may require an updated photo; photo and fingerprints are done at Vermont State Police when instructed. See VCIC out-of-state steps.
What this means in practice
- Expect a mailed verification each year; return it within 10 days. SVPs verify quarterly.
- VCIC may ask for a new photo and will direct you to Vermont State Police.
Watch-outs
- If you miss the window, contact VCIC immediately and complete the verification.
- Keep your mailing address current so you receive the form.
Residency, Presence, & Loitering Restrictions
No statewide residency or loitering zones in statute. Conditions may be imposed case by case during supervision. Check your municipality if unsure. See the statute chapter index at 13 V.S.A. ch. 167 and VCIC.
What this means in practice
- Vermont has no statewide residency ban; supervision can add case-by-case limits while you are on probation or parole.
Watch-outs
- Local rules are uncommon but possible; check your town if you get conflicting guidance.
- If a landlord or employer asks for proof, show your VCIC letter and the statute chapter.
Confirmed by the absence of statutory zones in 13 V.S.A. ch. 167 and VCIC materials.
Employment, Education, & Internet Use
- Report employment or post-secondary school changes within 3 days. See §5407(d).
- Public site does not display employer details; supervision may add job-specific limits case by case. See §5411a.
What this means in practice
- Report work and school changes within 3 days; the public site does not list your employer.
Watch-outs
- If you start/stop post-secondary school mid-term, it still counts as a school change.
- If employment is temporary or gig-based, clarify details with VCIC.
Public Website Exposure
- Internet posting criteria are set by statute and the court; higher-risk and specified offenses are posted. See §5411a.
- Public listing shows photo, offense, and town (not street address). See Vermont public SOR.
Travel & Relocation (Interstate Moves)
Visiting or Traveling in the State
- Visitors with out-of-state convictions must register if present 10 consecutive days or 30 days total/year. See §5407(a)(1).
- Short hotel stays under these thresholds do not trigger VT registration; still follow your home state’s travel-notice rules.
- Homeless or transient individuals must provide specific location details and follow VCIC check-in arrangements. See VCIC guidance.
Compliance & Enforcement
Knowing failure to comply is a felony (up to 2 years first, 5 years subsequent) and fines; sentences can run consecutively. See §5409.
What this means in practice
- Missing a deadline can be a new felony; keep copies and date-stamped proof of submissions.
Watch-outs
- If you move out of state, Vermont obligations may continue until the new state’s registration is active.
- Ask VCIC how to document compliance if you are temporarily abroad.
See §5409.
Relief Paths
- Standard term is 10 years after completion of sentence and supervision; certain offenses/designations are lifetime. See §5407(e).
- Lifetime registrants may petition after 10 years to end public posting if no longer high-risk. See §5411.
What this means in practice
- Most complete 10 years; lifetime registrants can petition after 10 years to end public posting if no longer high-risk.
Watch-outs
- Any non-compliance or new offense can delay or block relief.
- Keep records showing stable residence, employment, and treatment completion (if applicable).
Special Populations
- High-risk designation (DOC) increases duties; noncompliant high-risk have 30-day in-person check-ins and added requirements. See §5411b and §5411d.
- Sexually Violent Predators verify quarterly and may face additional disclosure rules. See §5407(e)(2).
Costs & Payments
- No routine state registration fee; local fingerprinting fees may apply. See VCIC.
Recent Changes & Litigation
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Compliance Checklists & Scripts
New Arrival: First 30 Days
- Within 10 days of arrival to live, work, or study: contact VCIC and submit the packet. See §5407(a)(1) and VCIC.
- Complete photo and fingerprints at Vermont State Police as directed.
- Calendar your birthday-month verification and return it within 10 days. See §5407(e).
Moving Out / Traveling
- Notify VCIC of your new address and departure date.
- Register in your new state within 3 days of establishing residence. See §5407(d).
- Confirm Vermont shows you as moved; keep dated proof of all submissions.
Records Request Template
To: Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC). I request copies of my registration entries, verification history, high-risk notices, photograph/fingerprint records, and any compliance correspondence under [13 V.S.A. §5407] and [§5411b]. This request is for personal records and compliance planning.Relief Petition Outline
If lifetime or publicly posted, review [§5411] for petition standards. Gather DOC risk-level documentation, proof of compliance, treatment completion, and community supports. Draft petition summarizing risk reduction and statutory factors; serve the State’s Attorney and file in the court of conviction.Citations
- 13 V.S.A. §5401 (definitions)
- 13 V.S.A. §5407 (reporting, verification, thresholds; SVP 90-day)
- 13 V.S.A. §5409 (penalties)
- 13 V.S.A. §5411 (public-posting relief petitions)
- 13 V.S.A. §5411a (Internet posting rules)
- 13 V.S.A. §5411b (high-risk designation)
- 13 V.S.A. §5411d (noncompliant high-risk duties)
- VCIC — Vermont registrants
- VCIC — Out-of-state registrants
- Vermont public SOR website