Relief From Registration (Adults)

A pathway toward stability, dignity, and a life beyond registration.

Oregon law provides opportunity for some adults on the registry to obtain relief from registration and many people have successfully walked this path before you. Oregon Voices created the Relief Handbook to serve as a guide, offering clarity, encouragement, and practical steps based on Oregon law, administrative rules, and the lived experiences of Registered Citizens who achieved relief.

Below is a summary of who is eligible, what the process looks like, and how to begin preparing if relief is something you want to pursue.

Who Can Apply for Relief?

Not everyone on the registry is eligible to petition the Parole Board for relief. Oregon law sets four specific requirements, all of which must be met before an application can be submitted.

1. You must have been convicted as an adult.

This includes people who were juveniles at the time of the offense but were convicted as adults in Oregon or another jurisdiction. We encourage people adjudicated as juveniles to contact the CLiF project for assistance.

2. You must have a Level 1 Risk Classification.

Oregon uses a modified risk-based system. Only individuals classified as Level 1, the lowest statistical likelihood of reoffending, are eligible to seek relief.

  • Level 2 individuals must first obtain reclassification to Level 1, then wait an additional 5 years before applying.
  • Level 3 individuals are not eligible for reclassification to Level 1 and therefore cannot seek relief under current law.

If your risk level has not yet been classified, you still apply for relief if you have met the five-year waiting period described below. You will receive your risk classification as part of the relief process. If you believe your classification is incorrect, you have 60 days from the date on your classification letter to challenge factual errors in your scoring.

3. You must meet the five-year waiting period.

If you were originally classified as Level 1, you may apply five years after the end of supervision (or, if there was no supervision, five years after release from incarceration).

If you were reclassified from Level 2 to Level 1, your five-year waiting period begins on the date of reclassification.

4. You must currently be required to register in Oregon.

You must live, work, or attend school in Oregon to apply for relief.

The eligibility flowchart can help you determine if you are eligible.

Understanding Risk Classification

Before an application is possible, you must have received your official risk level from the Oregon Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision.

  • Most adult male registrants are scored using the Static-99R, a standardized actuarial tool.
  • Others,including women, individuals tried as adults for offenses committed as juveniles, some trans persons, and those with Category B offenses, are scored with the LS/CMI tool, combined with a clinical risk assessment.

If you haven’t received a classification, contact the Parole Board. As of the Handbook’s publication, only about 35% of registrants had been classified, and delays are common.

What the Relief Process Looks Like

The relief process happens in five stages, each with its own expectations and preparation steps.

Stage 1: Understanding the Process

Learn what relief means, how Oregon law structures the application, and what standards the Parole Board uses to evaluate petitions. Members of the Oregon Voices community who have experience with the relief process can help you understand the process and prepare for your hearing.

Stage 2: Establishing Eligibility

Confirm that you meet all required criteria (Level 1, waiting period, conviction type, etc.) and ensure no disqualifying factors apply.

Stage 3: Getting Ready to Apply

This is the most time-consuming part. You will gather treatment records, court documents, supervision records, and letters of support. Some documents may be old or difficult to find; persistence matters.

Keep a notebook to record every call, email, and attempt to retrieve documents. Documentation of your effort is part of the process.

Stage 4: Preparing and Submitting the Application

Once complete, your application tells your story, your progress, your stability, and why you’re a safe candidate for relief. This is your chance to present a full, honest narrative about your life today.

Stage 5: The Hearing

If the Board accepts your application, you’ll attend a hearing where you may testify and answer questions. The Board will determine whether you are not statistically likely to reoffend and do not pose a threat to public safety.

If You’re Not Yet Eligible

Many people discover they aren’t eligible yet. The Handbook includes guidance on:

  • What steps to take now
  • How to prepare for when eligibility arrives
  • How to maintain good records and a positive trajectory

You Are Not Alone

Oregon Voices was created to support, educate, and advocate for people affected by Oregon’s registration system. We can support people through the relief process.

The Handbook was built by individuals who know the journey deeply and who have experienced both the burden of registration and the freedom that relief can bring.

For additional coaching or questions related to relief, you can contact Oregon Voices at:
info@oregonvoices.org