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VA

Virginia

Visitors register only after a month or more, or never.

Visitors register after30+ days or never

Virginia requires nonresident registrants to register in person with local law enforcement within three days of entering for a visit of 30 days or more. Registration is also triggered by employment, including volunteer work, or school enrollment. Adults with Tier III convictions may not be on school or child day center property during school hours or events, or on school buses.

Registering as a visitor

When it's required
After 30 days.
Deadline
Register in person within three days of entering Virginia for a visit intended to last 30 days or more; also within three days of accepting employment or enrolling in school
Where
Local law-enforcement agency (police department or sheriff's office) for the city or county where they stay, work, or study; information is forwarded to the State Police Registry
Also required if
  • Employment, paid or volunteer, exceeding 14 consecutive days or an aggregate of 30 days in a calendar year
  • Carrying on a vocation
  • Enrolling as a full-time or part-time student at any school or institution

Public registry

The law doesn't clearly say whether visitors appear on the public registry.

Registration data goes into the single statewide Registry maintained by the Virginia State Police, and § 9.1-905 creates no separate non-public track for visitors. The dissemination sections (§§ 9.1-912, 9.1-913) and the removal sections (§§ 9.1-908, 9.1-910) were not read, so listing and removal after departure are unconfirmed.

Places registrants can't go

  • Public or private elementary or secondary school and child day center propertyProhibited from entering or being present during school hours and during school-related or school-sponsored activities; violation is a Class 6 felony. Narrow exceptions for voting, enrolled students, or a court order plus school board permission.Applies to: Adults convicted of a Tier III offense as defined in § 9.1-902 (§ 18.2-370.5)
  • School busesProhibited from being on any school bus as defined in § 46.2-100; no time limitation and no exceptions.Applies to: Adults convicted of a Tier III offense (§ 18.2-370.5)
  • Any property, public or private, while used solely by a K-12 school for a school-related or school-sponsored activityProhibited from entering or being present during those hours, even at rented halls, churches, parks, or museums.Applies to: Adults convicted of a Tier III offense (§ 18.2-370.5)

Laws cited

Last checked September 19, 2026 · full review September 19, 2026

Research notes

Research was cut short. Sections 9.1-906, 9.1-906.1, 9.1-908, 9.1-909, 9.1-910, 9.1-912, 9.1-913, 18.2-370.2, 18.2-370.3, 18.2-370.4, and 18.2-472.1 were not read in official text. The three-day clock appears to run from entry for an intended 30+ day visit, not from day 30. The statute's 'period of visitation' language does not on its face aggregate separate short trips, and no official guidance resolved this. Whether a visitor is published publicly, and whether or how their listing is removed after departure, is unconfirmed. Registration reaches people whose offense would require registration if they lived in Virginia, even if their home state does not register them. A 2025 amendment (2025, c. 433) affects § 9.1-905. No general state parks, playground, or Halloween restrictions were found; § 18.2-370.3 is a residency rule, not a presence ban. Local ordinances and supervision conditions are additional layers not covered.

Common questions

Do registered sex offenders have to register when visiting Virginia?

Visitors must register after 30 days. Register in person within three days of entering Virginia for a visit intended to last 30 days or more; also within three days of accepting employment or enrolling in school

Will a visiting registrant appear on Virginia's public registry?

Virginia's law doesn't clearly say whether visitors appear on the public registry.

Are there places registrants can't go in Virginia?

The state restricts registrants from: public or private elementary or secondary school and child day center property; school buses; any property, public or private, while used solely by a k-12 school for a school-related or school-sponsored activity. Details and who they apply to are listed on this page.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules may add requirements. Confirm with the state registry agency or an attorney before you travel.