Hancock County Sex Offender Registry

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office in Greenfield manages sex offender registration for all of Hancock County, Indiana. The county offers Offender Watch to track registered sex offenders, with free email alerts for residents and no cost to search. Registry data is also available through the statewide iCrimeWatch portal, with names, photos, addresses, and offense details for every active registrant.

Search Hancock County Sex Offenders

Sheriff Brad Burkhart and the Hancock County Sheriff's Office offer Offender Watch to track registered sex offenders in the county. You can find the county's sex offender information page at hancockin.gov/420/Sex-Offender-Information. There is no cost for this service and no limit to the number of addresses you can register. Your email address and physical addresses are kept confidential. Offender Watch sends alerts when a registered offender moves near any address you sign up with.

You can also search through iCrimeWatch Indiana, the statewide portal used by all 92 Indiana county sheriffs. Search by name, zip code, or address. An address search returns all registered offenders within one mile. No account is needed and the search is free. Results include photos, current addresses, and the offense that led to registration.

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office is at 398 Malcolm Grass Way, Greenfield IN. The main phone is 317-477-1147. For sex offender registration contact specifically, call 317-477-1199. Sheriff Brad Burkhart leads the department. The full sheriff's page is at hancockin.gov/411/Sheriff.

The National Sex Offender Public Website is a free multi-state search tool that can help identify offenders who recently moved to Hancock County from Ohio or another state.

Hancock County Sheriff Registration Process

All sex offender registrations in Hancock County go through the Sheriff's Office at 398 Malcolm Grass Way in Greenfield. Offenders who live, work, or attend school anywhere in Hancock County must register in person. Indiana law requires the initial registration within 72 hours of release from prison, the end of probation or parole, or arrival in the county from another location.

At registration, offenders must provide their full legal name and any aliases, date of birth, home address, employer name and location, school information if applicable, vehicle descriptions and plate numbers, and all online identifiers such as email addresses and social media accounts. A current photo is taken at each registration and verification visit. Data goes into the statewide iCrimeWatch system and Offender Watch, both of which are publicly accessible at no cost.

The Hancock County Sheriff works with the Indiana Sheriffs' Association and the Indiana Department of Correction to coordinate registration when offenders are released from state prisons who list Hancock County as their home address.

Note: Any change in address, job, vehicle, or online accounts must be reported to the Hancock County Sheriff within 72 hours of the change.

Hancock County Sex Offender Registry Laws

Indiana's sex offender registry is based on IC 11-8-8, known as Zachary's Law. The law took effect January 1, 2003. It was named after Zachary Snider of Cloverdale, Indiana, a child murdered by a registered sex offender. The law requires all 92 Indiana county sheriffs to maintain a public registry and share data with the statewide system at no cost to the public.

The offenses that trigger registration are listed in IC 11-8-8-4.5. These include rape, child molesting, child exploitation, possession of child pornography, criminal deviate conduct, sexual misconduct with a minor, and voyeurism involving minors. Qualifying out-of-state convictions and certain violent crimes also require registration. Hancock County is located east of Indianapolis and shares a county line with Marion County, meaning some registrants may move between the two counties and need to update registrations accordingly.

The 72-hour registration requirement is set out in IC 11-8-8-7. Missing a registration or verification appointment is a Level 6 felony. A second offense is a Level 5 felony, with one to six years in prison. County sheriffs must keep the registry publicly available under IC 36-2-13-5.5.

Hancock County Registration Periods and Verification

Most sex offenders in Hancock County are on the registry for 10 years. The period starts when the person is released from incarceration, or when probation or parole ends, whichever comes later. After 10 years without new violations, the offender can petition a court to be removed. The court reviews the petition based on the offender's full record and current risk.

Sexually violent predators and people convicted of crimes against victims under age 12 must register for life. There is no petition option for these individuals. SVPs check in every 90 days, while all other registrants verify once per year. Each verification requires an in-person visit to the Hancock County Sheriff's Office in Greenfield to confirm current address, employment, vehicle, and online account information and have a new photo taken. To reach the registration desk directly, call 317-477-1199.

Offenders who move out of Hancock County must notify the Hancock County Sheriff and register in the new county or state within 72 hours of the move. Failing to report a change is treated as a separate criminal offense under Indiana law. If you have questions about a specific person's registration status, contact the Hancock County Sheriff at 317-477-1147 during regular business hours.

Residency Restrictions in Hancock County

Indiana law bars certain sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, public park, or youth program center. This applies to anyone classified as an offender against children and covers all of Hancock County, including the city of Greenfield. Violating the restriction is a Level 6 felony. Offenders must also not live within one mile of their victim's home address.

Before moving to any new address in Hancock County, registered offenders should confirm with the sheriff's office that the address is in compliance. Call the dedicated sex offender registration line at 317-477-1199 with address questions. Parole or probation conditions may also impose additional geographic limits beyond what Indiana law requires on its own. These rules apply to owned, rented, and temporarily occupied properties alike.

Note: Hancock County's proximity to Indianapolis and Hamilton County means many registrants work across county lines, which can affect which counties require registration.

Cities in Hancock County

Greenfield is the county seat and largest city in Hancock County. Greenfield has its own page with information on accessing sex offender registry data in the city.

Nearby Indiana Counties

Search sex offender registries in counties near Hancock County.