Union County Sex Offender Registry
The Union County sex offender registry is managed by the Union County Sheriff's Office in Liberty, Indiana. Sex and violent offender information for Union County is free to access through the statewide iCrimeWatch portal and the Indiana Sheriffs' Association registry.
Union County Sex Offender Registry
Searching Union County Sex Offender Records
The best place to start is iCrimeWatch Indiana. This is the official statewide sex offender portal and it covers all 92 Indiana counties, including Union County. You can search by the offender's name or by entering an address to see all registered offenders within one mile. The portal shows photos, current addresses, offense information, and whether each person is classified as a sexually violent predator. All searches are free.
The Indiana Sheriffs' Association also maintains a direct link to the sex offender registry search tool on their website. This is the same data set that feeds iCrimeWatch, so results are consistent. The Indiana Sheriffs' Association site also has a resource for finding your local sheriff office if you need to contact Union County directly.
The Union County Sheriff's Office website notes a resource for sex offender searches and states: "Search for registered sex and violent offenders. See the Indiana Sheriff's Association web site for more information." The sheriff's office recommends using the Indiana Sheriffs' Association portal as a starting point for any registry search involving Union County.
Union County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Jeff Adams is the chief law enforcement officer for Union County. The sheriff's office is located at 106 East Union Street, Liberty, IN 47353. The main phone number is (765) 458-5194. You can find the office online through the Indiana county government directory.
The sheriff's website describes the office's role this way: "The Sheriff is primarily responsible for keeping the peace. In addition, the Sheriff is responsible for the county jail and inmates of the jail, serving warrants and civil process documents, collecting delinquent State taxes and selling foreclosed property." Sex offender registration and monitoring falls under the sheriff's public safety duties.
If you need to register as a sex offender in Union County, appear in person at the sheriff's office with proper identification. If you need to update your address, report a job change, or complete a verification appointment, those must also be done in person. Do not try to handle these steps by phone or mail; in-person appearance is required by Indiana law.
Union County is a small county, so the sheriff's staff handles registration directly rather than through a separate registrar. Call ahead to confirm office hours before you drive to Liberty.
Indiana Sex Offender Registration Law
Indiana's sex and violent offender registry is governed by IC 11-8-8, which most people know as Zachary's Law. The law went into effect on January 1, 2003, and was named in memory of Zachary Snider, a child from Cloverdale, Indiana who was killed by a registered sex offender. The law was designed to give communities the right to know when convicted offenders live near them.
Under this law, county sheriffs are responsible for maintaining the registry and keeping it available to the public at no cost. The Indiana Department of Correction oversees the system and handles offenders being released from state facilities. When someone is released from prison with a qualifying conviction, the Department of Correction notifies the county sheriff where the offender plans to live.
The 72-hour registration deadline is one of the most important parts of the law. It starts the moment an offender is released from custody or changes their address, job, or school. Registering late is not treated as a minor procedural issue. It is a criminal offense.
Who Must Register in Union County
Indiana law defines qualifying sex offenses in IC 11-8-8-4.5. The list includes rape, child molesting, sexual misconduct with a minor, criminal deviate conduct, child exploitation, possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and voyeurism involving minors. People convicted of certain violent offenses, including murder, may need to register as violent offenders under a parallel section of the law.
Registration applies to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Union County. It does not matter where the conviction happened. Someone convicted in Ohio who later moves to Liberty must register in Union County within 72 hours of moving here. Someone who lives in Wayne County but commutes to work in Union County must also register here.
If you are not sure whether your particular conviction requires registration in Indiana, contact an attorney or reach out to the Indiana Department of Correction. Do not assume you are exempt. The consequences of being wrong are severe.
Registration Process and Ongoing Verification
Initial registration in Union County requires a personal visit to the sheriff's office. You will need to provide your full legal name, any other names you have used, your date of birth, your home address, your employer's name and address (if employed), vehicle information, and all internet accounts and email addresses. A current photo is taken at every visit.
Most registrants must verify their information once per year. Sexually violent predators must verify every 90 days. Verification requires another in-person visit to the sheriff's office. The same information is reviewed and updated at each visit.
Missing a verification appointment is a Level 6 felony under IC 11-8-8-17. It does not matter if the miss was accidental. The law treats it the same as intentionally failing to register. A second offense can be charged as a Level 5 felony, which can mean one to six years in prison. Keep your verification dates on your calendar and make sure you go.
Standard registration lasts 10 years from the end of your sentence, including probation and parole. Life registration applies to sexually violent predators and those convicted of offenses against children under age 12. Life registration does not end automatically; you must petition a court for removal, which is rare.
Residency Restrictions and Email Alerts
People classified as offenders against children under Indiana law cannot live within 1,000 feet of a school, public park, or licensed youth program center. This is a statewide restriction under IC 35-42-4-11, and it applies throughout Union County. Violating this rule is a Level 6 felony. Check any potential address against school and park locations before committing to it.
Offenders are also barred from living within one mile of their victim's home. Probation or parole conditions may set additional restrictions beyond the state minimums. If you have a supervising officer, confirm with them before choosing a place to live.
Free email alerts are available through the NSOPW national portal. You can set up notifications for any address and receive alerts when a registered offender's status changes in that area. This is a useful tool for residents, parents, and organizations that want ongoing awareness without manually checking the registry.