Virginia Sex Offender Registry
The Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry is a public database run by the Virginia State Police. Anyone can search for registered sex offenders in Virginia by name, zip code, or address at no cost. The registry covers all 95 counties and 39 independent cities in the state. This page explains how to use the registry, what the law requires, and how to find resources for any county or city in Virginia.
Virginia Sex Offender Registry Overview
How to Search the Virginia Sex Offender Registry
The Virginia State Police runs the official registry. You can search it at sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov/sor or at the newer address vspsor.com. Both give access to the same Public Notification Database. The search is free and open to anyone. No account is needed.
Three search options are available. First, type a name if you know who you are looking for. Second, enter a zip code to see all offenders registered in that area. Third, use an address to pull results within a set radius. Results show the offender's current address, photo, date of birth, and a brief description of the conviction offense. The registry updates each business day as new registrations and address changes come in.
The VSP Sex Offender Registry unit is reachable at (804) 674-2825 or by email at sor.vsp@vsp.virginia.gov. If you have questions about a specific entry, they can help. For formal name searches related to background checks, the VSP CJIS division handles those through separate forms at vsp.virginia.gov.
The VSP alternative portal at vspsor.com provides the same search functions with an updated interface.
Enter a name or zip code in the VSP portal to pull results for registered sex offenders anywhere in Virginia.
Virginia Sex Offender Laws
Sex offender registration in Virginia is governed by Virginia Code Title 9.1, Chapter 9, known as the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act. The law covers who must register, how often they must verify their information, and what happens if they fail to comply. Virginia uses a three-tier system tied to the offense type and the assessed risk of the offender.
Under Virginia Code section 9.1-901, any person convicted of a qualifying offense on or after July 1, 1994, must register. Qualifying offenses include rape, forcible sodomy, carnal knowledge of a minor, child pornography, object sexual penetration, sexual battery, and computer solicitation of minors. Murder that is part of a sexually violent offense also requires registration. Persons found not guilty by reason of insanity for those offenses on or after July 1, 2007, must also register.
The Virginia Code chapter is available in full at law.lis.virginia.gov. Each county and city in Virginia enforces the same state law, though local sheriff and police offices handle the actual registration appointments.
Virginia Code Title 9.1, Chapter 9 sets out all registration requirements, tier classifications, and penalties for failure to register.
Registration Requirements and Tiers
Virginia assigns every registrant to one of three tiers based on their offense. Tier I is the lowest risk level. Tier I offenders verify their registration once a year. They may petition for removal from the registry after 15 years under section 9.1-910. Tier II offenders also verify annually but must wait 25 years before petitioning for removal. Tier III offenders are the highest risk group. They verify every 90 days and in most cases must remain on the registry for life.
Initial registration must happen within three days of conviction or release from custody. Offenders must appear in person and provide their name, aliases, date of birth, current address, employer, school enrollment if any, and internet identifiers. A photo is taken at registration. Address changes must be reported within three days. Internet identifier changes must be reported within 30 minutes of making the change.
Tier III offenders may not live within 500 feet of a school or daycare facility in most cases. Failing to register is a Class 1 misdemeanor for Tier I and II offenders. For Tier III it is a Class 6 felony. A second Tier III violation is a Class 5 felony. See section 18.2-472.1 for the full penalty provisions.
Additional Resources
The National Sex Offender Public Website at nsopw.gov lets you search Virginia and all other states from one tool. This is helpful when checking on someone who may have moved here from another state. The site pulls from every state registry and returns a combined result set.
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services at dcjs.virginia.gov supports local law enforcement agencies and provides training and resources related to sex offender registry compliance. The Virginia Department of Corrections at vadoc.virginia.gov manages offenders while incarcerated and coordinates with the State Police on registration when offenders are released.
The NSOPW site covers all 50 states, U.S. territories, and tribal jurisdictions, making it useful for multi-state searches.
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services provides information about the registry program at dcjs.virginia.gov.
DCJS supports county and city law enforcement agencies with registry training, tools, and community safety programs across Virginia.
How to Report a Suspected Registry Violation
If you believe a registered sex offender in Virginia has moved without updating their registration, you can report it directly to the VSP Sex Offender Registry unit at (804) 674-2825 or by email at sor.vsp@vsp.virginia.gov. You can also contact the local sheriff or police department for the area where the offender lives. Local law enforcement will refer compliance issues to the State Police for investigation.
Address changes must be reported within three days under Virginia Code section 9.1-903. Internet identifier changes must be reported within 30 minutes. Offenders who leave Virginia for more than 10 consecutive days must notify the State Police in advance. Each of these rules applies to all tiers. A single missed update can result in criminal charges.
The VSP also offers a free email notification service. Sign up through the registry portal to receive alerts when a registrant near your selected address changes their information. This is useful for homeowners, school administrators, or parents who want ongoing notice of changes in their area without having to check the registry manually.
What Registry Search Results Show
Each result in the Virginia registry includes a standard set of fields. You will see the offender's full name and any known aliases. The current registered address is listed below the name. If a photo has been submitted, it appears on the left side of the result. The conviction offense is shown, along with the date it was entered and the court that handled the case. The tier level appears near the top of each entry. Tier I is the lowest risk, Tier III the highest.
Results can be viewed as a list or on a map. The map view shows each offender's address as a pin relative to the location you searched. You can use this to check proximity to a school, park, daycare, or home. All data comes directly from Virginia State Police records and is updated each business day. If you find an entry that appears outdated or inaccurate, report it to VSP at (804) 674-2825.
Browse Virginia Sex Offenders by Location
Counties
Virginia has 95 counties. Each county has local law enforcement that works with the State Police on sex offender registration. Browse the most populous counties below or view the full list.
Cities
Virginia has 39 independent cities, each with its own police department and circuit court. Find sex offender registry information for major Virginia cities below.