Indiana Sex Offender Registry
The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry is a free public tool that lets anyone search for registered sex offenders who live, work, or go to school in Indiana. You can look up sex offenders by name, by address, or by county. All 92 Indiana counties take part in the statewide system. This page explains how the Indiana registry works, who must register as a sex offender, and where to find local offender data for any county or city in the state.
Indiana Sex Offender Registry Quick Facts
How to Search Indiana Sex Offenders
Indiana's registry makes it easy to find sex offenders near any address in the state. The main search tool is the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry, hosted through iCrimeWatch and managed by the Indiana Sheriffs' Association. It costs nothing, and no account is required to use it.
To search by address, visit the registry site, pick a county from the dropdown menu, and enter a street address. The system then shows all registered sex offenders whose listed address is within one mile of the location you entered. This works for any Indiana address, whether it's a home, a school, or a park. To search by name, select the county where you think the person is registered and enter their name in the search field. Each profile that comes up includes the offender's photo, a physical description, current address, vehicle information, and the details of their conviction.
The OffenderWatch network for Indiana offers another path to the same data. Many Indiana counties use OffenderWatch to run their local registry pages. The platform links to the same statewide database but may display information in a slightly different layout. Several counties also maintain direct registry pages on their sheriff's office websites.
OffenderWatch updates in real time as offenders register or change their information at local sheriff's offices. This keeps the database current across all 92 Indiana counties. If an offender updates their address on Monday morning, the statewide registry reflects that change the same day.
Note: The registry only shows offenders who have been convicted and are legally required to register. It does not include all people who have ever been accused or arrested for sex crimes.
About the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry
Indiana's sex offender registry began on January 1, 2003, when Zachary's Law took effect. The law is named for Zachary Snider of Cloverdale, Indiana, a 10-year-old boy who was killed by a convicted child molester in 1993. His death led Indiana lawmakers to create a public registry so residents could check on sex offenders in their area.
The Indiana Sheriffs' Association runs the registry in partnership with all 92 county sheriff's offices and the Indiana Department of Correction. County sheriffs handle the actual registration. The IDOC sets the rules and monitors compliance statewide. When an offender moves to a new county, they must register with the sheriff in that county within 72 hours.
The registry covers two broad groups: sex offenders and violent offenders. Sex offenders are those convicted of offenses listed under IC 11-8-8-4.5, which includes rape, child molesting, child exploitation, child solicitation, child seduction, and sexual misconduct with a minor. Violent offenders are those convicted of murder, voluntary manslaughter, and other serious crimes defined under IC 11-8-8. Both groups appear in the same public database.
The Indiana Sheriffs' Association's official statement explains the purpose plainly: "The purpose of the registry is to inform the general public about the identity, location, and appearance of sex and violent offenders who live, work, or study in Indiana."
Who Must Register as a Sex Offender in Indiana
Indiana law requires multiple groups to register. Anyone convicted of a qualifying offense in Indiana must register. Out-of-state offenders who move here must register within 72 hours of arriving. IC 11-8-8-7 spells out the full list of who must register and when registration must happen.
People who work in Indiana are also required to register if they work seven or more consecutive days in the state, or 14 or more days in total during a single year. Students enrolled at any Indiana school must register as well. Even visitors have to register if they spend more than seven days in Indiana during any 180-day period. The law is broad, and offenders who try to avoid registration by staying mobile face the same requirements.
Registration categories in Indiana include standard sex offenders, sexually violent predators, offenders against children, and serious sex offenders. Each category carries different reporting rules and restrictions. Sexually violent predators face the strictest requirements, including quarterly check-ins instead of annual ones. The court designates SVP status upon the prosecutor's petition under IC 35-38-1-7.5.
Juvenile offenders may also appear in the registry. Those adjudicated delinquent for acts that would be sex or violent offenses if committed by adults can be required to register. The information a registrant must provide is listed in IC 11-8-8-8 and includes full name and all aliases, date of birth, Social Security number, Indiana driver's license or ID, photograph, fingerprints, home address, employer address, school address, all vehicle information, internet email addresses, chat and social media usernames, and descriptions of all tattoos, scars, and piercings.
Indiana Sex Offender Registration Requirements
All registrations are done in person at the county sheriff's office. The frequency of check-ins depends on the offender's classification. Most sex offenders verify their registration once a year. Sexually violent predators and certain high-risk offenders must report every 90 days. Homeless or transient offenders face the strictest rule: they must register every seven days, no matter where they are in Indiana.
Any change to a registrant's information must be reported within 72 hours. That includes changes to home address, job, school enrollment, internet accounts, social media usernames, or vehicles. Failing to update on time is a violation of Indiana law. Under IC 11-8-8-17, failing to register when required is a Level 6 felony, which carries a sentence of six months to two and a half years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A second offense steps up to a Level 5 felony.
Duration varies by offense type. Most offenders stay on the registry for 10 years from the date of their release from prison, probation, or parole. Lifetime registration is required under IC 11-8-8-19 for sexually violent predators, offenders who committed acts against children under age 12 when the offender was 18 or older, offenses that caused serious bodily injury or death, and anyone with two or more unrelated qualifying convictions.
Some Indiana counties charge fees. Lake County charges a $50 annual registration fee and $5 for each address change. Steuben County also charges $50 annually with a $5 address-change fee, and payment must be in cash. Wells County requires a $50 annual fee from offenders who live and work there. Fees vary by county, so check with your local sheriff's office for exact amounts before going in to register.
What Is in an Indiana Sex Offender Listing
Each entry in the Indiana sex offender registry gives detailed information about the registrant. It's not just a name and address. A full listing shows the offender's photo, physical description, current home address, employer address if the person is required to register their job, vehicle information including plate numbers and vehicle identification numbers, and conviction details.
Listings also display the specific offense the person was convicted of, the date, the county where it occurred, and the offender's current registration status. Some entries include internet email addresses, chat usernames, and social media handles that the offender must disclose under IC 36-2-13-5.5. Under Indiana law, employer information must appear on the public registry for offenders who are required to register because of where they work. This gives the public a more complete picture of where a registered sex offender can be found on a daily basis.
The registry is public, but Indiana law is clear that the information may not be used to harass or threaten registrants or their families. Any threats or harassment based on registry data may violate Indiana law. If you have safety concerns after searching the registry, report them to your local sheriff's office. You can also reach the Indiana State Police at 317-232-8248 for non-emergency questions.
Residency Limits and Sex Offender Restrictions in Indiana
Indiana law places limits on where certain sex offenders can live. Under IC 35-42-4-11, offenders against children and sexually violent predators cannot reside within 1,000 feet of a school, youth program center, or public park. They also cannot establish a residence within one mile of the victim's home. Violating these rules is a Level 6 felony.
Serious sex offenders face additional limits. Under IC 35-42-4-14, a serious sex offender cannot knowingly enter school property. This group includes those convicted of child molesting, child exploitation, or possession of child pornography. Stepping onto school grounds is itself a Level 6 felony for these offenders. The Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney's Sex Offender Unit monitors residency compliance actively, requiring county registrants to have their address approved by the office before moving in. The unit monitors approximately 1,600 registered offenders in Hamilton County alone.
Note: Residency restrictions apply at registration and remain in force for as long as an offender is required to register in Indiana.
Sign Up for Free Sex Offender Email Alerts
Indiana offers a free email alert service that notifies you when a sex offender registers an address near a location you care about. You sign up through the registry portal and enter any number of addresses, such as your home, a parent's house, or a school. When an offender registers within one mile of any address you've listed in the same county, you'll get an email alert right away.
The service costs nothing. You can register as many addresses as you want, with no cap. Your email address and the addresses you register stay confidential. Hancock County Sheriff Brad Burkhart put it plainly: "Offenders move frequently, so instead of having to check the maps on a weekly basis, the best way to stay informed is to take advantage of our free email alert system." That advice applies across all 92 Indiana counties. Boone County's registry states it directly: "The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry allows you to enter any address and see the proximity of offenders to that address."
For searches beyond Indiana's borders, the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW), run by the U.S. Department of Justice, links to sex offender registries from all participating states and territories. If you're trying to find someone who may have moved across state lines, NSOPW lets you search multiple registries at once. It's free and available to the public.
For Indiana-specific help, contact the IDOC Sex Offender Registry division at (317) 232-1232 or by mail at 302 W. Washington St., Indiana Government Center South, E329, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2038. The Indiana Sheriffs' Association can also help: call (800) 622-4779 or visit their Sex and Violent Offender Registry resource page. Indiana also uses the VINE victim notification system, reachable at 866-959-VINE (866-959-8463).
Browse Indiana Sex Offenders by County
Every Indiana county has a dedicated page with the local sheriff's office contact information, sex offender registration details, and links to the county's registry resources. All 92 counties participate in the statewide Indiana sex offender registry system.
Browse Indiana Sex Offenders by City
These Indiana cities have dedicated pages with local police department information, the county registry that covers each city, and area-specific resources for finding registered sex offenders.