The intent of the Sex Offender Registration Act is to assist law enforcement agencies in their effort to protect the public from sex offenders by requiring sex offenders to register with the State Police Detachment in the county where they reside, and by making certain information about sex offenders available to the public.  The Legislature has declared that there is a compelling and necessary public interest that the public have information concerning persons convicted of sexual offenses in order to adequately protect themselves and their children from these persons.  Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated . Further, any such abuse could potentially end the Registry's ability to provide the public with information regarding sex offenders.

It is not the intent of the Legislature that the information provided to the public be used to inflict retribution or additional punishment on any person convicted of any offense requiring registration.  The Act is intended to be regulatory in nature, and not penal.

The West Virginia State Police has no legal authority to direct where a sex offender may or may not live, and additionally, unless specific court ordered restrictions exist, offenders are constitutionally free to live wherever and with whomever they choose.

The information available on this site is updated on a daily basis. If you do not find an individual with your initial search, you should check the site again in the future. If you have information regarding an individual not listed, and who you believe should be a registered sex offender, please contact the Registry via e-mail at registry@wvsp.state.wv.us or by phone at (304) 746-2133.