Who has to register as a sex offender

If you are a sex offender, you must register with the Massachusetts registry if you live, work, or attend school in Massachusetts. You must also register any time your personal or contact information changes.

If you are a sex offender in Massachusetts, you must register with the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry. You must also update your information in the registry if you:

• have any secondary addresses in Massachusetts
• are moving to Massachusetts
• become homeless
• are working in Massachusetts
• live out of state, but attend school in Massachusetts

Sex offenders with secondary addresses

When registering with the Sex Offender Registry, you must include your address. You must also include any secondary addresses you have in Massachusetts.

A secondary address:

• is anywhere you live or stay for at least 14 days during the year
• is anywhere you live or stay for at least 4 days in a month
• is not your primary address
• includes out-of-state addresses

If your primary address is not in Massachusetts, but you have a secondary address here, you must still register that address.

Sex offenders moving in or out of Massachusetts

If you are a sex offender moving to Massachusetts from another state, you must:

• Register as a sex offender within 2 days of moving.

If you live in Massachusetts and are moving somewhere else in the state, you must:

• Register your new address at least 10 days before moving.

If you are moving out of Massachusetts, you must:

• Notify the Sex Offender Registry Board at least 10 days before moving.
• Register as a sex offender in any state you are moving to.

Homeless sex offenders

If you are a sex offender living in a homeless shelter, you must:

• Verify your registry information every 30 days at your local police department.

Sex offenders working in Massachusetts

If you are a sex offender living in another state but working in Massachusetts, you must:

• Register as a sex offender in Massachusetts within 2 days of starting your job.
• Register your work address within 10 days of starting your job.

If you change jobs in Massachusetts, you must:

• Register your new work address within 10 days of starting your new job.

Out of state sex offenders attending Massachusetts schools

If you are a sex offender living in another state but going to school in Massachusetts, you must:

• Register as a sex offender in Massachusetts within 10 days of starting school.

Penalties for failing to comply

You will be prosecuted if you are a sex offender who knowingly:

• Does not register
• Does not verify your registration information
• Does not update any changes in your address, work, or school
• Gives false information

Punishments for first-time violations include: 

• Between 6 months and and 2.5 years in a house of correction
• Maximum of 5 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $1,000, or both

Punishment for repeat violations include:

• Minimum of 5 years in state prison