| Contact Person: | West Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry Phone- 304-746-2133 Email- registry@wvsp.gov |
|---|---|
| Offenders Required to Register: | §15-12-1a Sex Offender Registration Act Intent & Findings Applies retroactive. Convicted of a qualifying offense or attempt to commit, or convicted under a similar provision in another state, federal or military jurisdiction, or those found not guilty by reason of mental illness, mental retardation or addiction of a qualifying offense are required to register. Also if convicted of an offense and the sentencing judge determines that the offense was sexually motivated must register |
| Information Collected: | §15-12-2 Registration Name, social security number, date of birth, height, weight, hair & eye color, current address, previous address, telephone number, vehicle information, employer information, offense convicted of, jurisdiction of conviction, date of conviction, date of release, fingerprints and photos, name and phone number of parole/probation officer. Photo of driver license or government issued ID including a tribal ID card, photo copy of passport and immigration documents, photocopy of professional licensing information, make, model, serial number and photograph of any unmanned aerial vehicle owned or operated |
| Administrating Agency: | West Virginia State Police |
| Timeframe for Registration: | 15-12-2(e)(1)
§15-12-3 Change in Registry Information
|
| Applies to Out of State Offenders: | §15-12-9 Registration of out of state offenders Yes and those visiting for more than 15 continuous days. |
| Duration of Requirement: | §15-12-4 Duration 10-year registrants – convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, or addiction of a one-time non-violent offense involving an adult victim.
Lifetime Registrants- A) has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, or addiction of one or more prior conviction of a qualifying offense. B) has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, or addiction of a qualifying offense & the prosecuting attorney finds by clear & convincing evidence that the qualifying offense involved multiple victims or multiple violations of the qualifying offense. C) has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, or addiction of a sexually violent offense. D)has been determined pursuant to WV Code 15-12-2a to be a Sexually Violent Predator. E) has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, or addiction of a qualifying offense involving a minor or person believed or perceived by the registrant to be a minor. |
| Verification of Address: | §15-12-10 Address & Online Information Verification
All registrants, including those for whom there have been no changes in registration information must complete an annual registration in their month of birth. Sexually Violent Predators must register quarterly in the months of January, April, July, & October. |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance: | §15-12-8 Failure to Register Penalties
For 10-year registrants – 1st offense Failure to Register is a Misdemeanor – penalty, fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned in the county jail not more than one year, or both fined and imprisoned. Felony if convicted of second or subsequent offense – penalty – 1-5 yrs. Felony if convicted of third or subsequent offense – penalty 5-25 years. Lifetime registrants- 1st offense Failure to Register is a Felony Penalty 1-5 yr. Felony for second or subsequent offense – penalty 10-25 years. Felony for any person required to register as a sexually violent predator who fails to register or provide registration changes – Penalty – 1st offense 2-10 yrs. Second or subsequent offense 15-35 yrs. |
| Access to Information: | §15-12-5 Distribution & Disclosure of Information All lifetime registered sex offenders are available to the public on the Internet. A quarterly mailing is available upon request. Information on those registered for 10 years is not available to the public without a court order. |
| Confidentiality Provision: | No |
| Number Registered: | 7,044 as of 5/5/2026 |
| Percent Compliance: | 99% –16 active warrants (that the Registry is aware of) as of 5/5/2026 |
| Internet Access: | West Virginia Sex Offender Registry |
updated 5/5/2026