Arkansas Adoption Records
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Accessing Arkansas Adoption Records
In 2018, Arkansas implemented a new law that allows adoptees to unseal their adoption records once they turn 21. While the law provides a way to access Arkansas adoption records, it also comes with red tape, including notary requirements and a fee.
If you want an easier way to reunite with your biological relatives, Adopted.com can help. We offer a voluntary adoption reunion registry where adoptees, birth parents, and others impacted by adoption can connect very quickly.
To join our registry, you don’t need to get a form notarized or pay a fee. All you need to do is answer ten simple questions that most people know about the adoption.
Our registry spans the state of Arkansas, from Fayetteville to Little Rock and everywhere in between. We offer a safe, secure way to reconnect with your birth family. Register for free today to join a community where reunions happen every day.
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2,857 Are Adoptions in Arkansas Open?
Yes, Arkansas allows families to arrange open adoptions. In an open adoption, the adoptive family knows the birth parents’ identities. One or both birth parents may even have ongoing communication with the adopted child, such as phone calls or face-to-face visits.
However, the official adoption files are sealed even in an open adoption. You cannot access the adoption records unless you’re an adoptee over 21 years old.
How Do I Get My Original Birth Certificate if I Was Adopted in Arkansas?
Your original birth certificate is part of your adoption file. You can get this document by submitting a written request to the Arkansas Department of Health if you’re over 21. When you receive your original birth certificate, it will be marked “not intended for official use.”
Arkansas allows birth parents to redact their names from an adoptee’s original birth certificate. If one or both of your birth parents have asked to keep their identities confidential, their names will be removed from the copy you receive.
How to Unseal Adoption Records in Arkansas
Adoptees in Arkansas can request their adoption files once they’re 21 years old. You must complete a form from the Arkansas Department of Health to unseal your adoption records. You’ll need to provide proof of your identity, such as a driver’s license. You’ll also need to have the form notarized.
If an adoptee has passed away, their surviving spouse, child, or child’s guardian can also request their adoption records. You’ll need to complete the same form and include proof of your identity. You’ll also need to submit your own birth certificate and notarized documentation of your relationship to the adoptee. A marriage or birth certificate can satisfy this requirement.
For all requests, there’s a $100 fee to access adoption files. You can submit a check or money order to the Arkansas Department of Health with your mailed application.
How Do You Access Arkansas Public Adoption Records?
Arkansas adoption records aren’t public, and you can only access them if you’re an adoptee or the spouse, child, or child’s guardian of an adoptee who has passed away. If you don’t fall into one of those categories, you’ll need a court order to unseal adoption records in Arkansas.
While the state limits who can access adoption records, you may be able to access some information through the Arkansas Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry (MCVAR). This voluntary registry can connect birth relatives if they both consent to having contact.
You can register to identify your birth relatives if you’re:
- An adoptee who’s at least 18
- A birth parent
- A birth grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or sibling
To register with the MCVAR, you must complete an affidavit form, attend a one-hour counseling session, and pay $20. Once you complete these steps, you will be notified if one of your biological relatives joins the registry.
Additionally, the MCVAR can provide non-identifying information about an adoption, including genetic, health, and social histories. This information doesn’t include the names of the adoptee, the adoptive parents, or the birth parents.
You can register to access this information if you’re:
- An adoptee who’s at least 18
- A birth parent
- A spouse, child, or child’s guardian of a deceased adoptee
- An adoptive parent or a legal guardian
- A child welfare agency with custody of an adoptee
To obtain this report, you must complete an affidavit form and pay $5.
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Let Adopted.com help you find your lost family today!
Adopted.com is a powerful adoption reunion registry designed to help you reconnect with your birth parents. By registering, you gain access to a growing database of over 1,189,534 profiles, increasing your chances of finding your biological relatives. The platform respects your privacy and allows you to update your profile anytime.
Registration is free, and the unique search tool ensures measurable match results. When you find your birth parents, remember to approach the reunion with an open heart and understanding, as it can be an emotionally significant experience for everyone involved.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Arkansas
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Arkansas Who Chose To Be Featured
31. Cma5236071 : I know very little about my birth family. I know i was born in Little Rock at Doctor’s Hospital. My grand father on my mother’s side was stationed at Little Rock Air force base in Jacksonville. My mothers name is Mary Blucher.
32. Jamie1970 : My son was born at the Florence Crittenden Home January 1970 in Denver, CO. I think the adoption was handled through them.
33. James17 : I have been told that Dr. Simmons with Baptist Little Rock was the delivering Dr and helped assist with the adoption.
34. Quendy68 : I am just interested in my history and getting to know my birth family on terms that we can both agree on.
35. Codeman1 : I know my daughter Megan was adopted by parents named Nancy and Joel and they later adopted another daughter Merideth. Though the adoption took place in Little Rock, AR her adoptive parents lived in the Dallas TX area at the time. I also know that the her adopted parents Joel and Nancy divorced in 1994 and some time after that but before 2001 Nancy passsed away.
36. Shappa : Searching for birth family of Cherie Layman (adoptive name)
37. Razor89 : I was born Christopher Matthew Moore Eldorado Arkansas Union County Hospital
38. Jessaw25 : I am looking for the daughter of either Maggie or Jackie who had a relationship with Richard Eulon Walters sometime between the mid-1960’s and mid-1970’s. There was a daughter born from each of these women and I am another daughter of Richard Walters. I believe he knew Jackie’s daughter, somewhat, in the 1970’s. Maggie got married at the time she was pregnant. I believe this relationship was in the mid 60’s. All in all, I know I have two half sisters out there and I would just really like to chat with them. Richard lived in Anaheim, CA at the time. He had two brothers, William (Bill) and Michael (Mike) Walters. Michael never married though Bill Walters did marry Susan (O’Brien) Walters. Both brothers were older than he was. Richard was born in 1949. His mother is Annie Beth Parrish Walters Shuma. Harold Walters was his father. I was told I look quite a bit like one of the girls, at least I did when I was younger. So I am hoping my face might now hold some similarities.
39. KaseyFan : I was born in Fayettville AR
40. Alvizo64 : adopted parents joanne seaver and alvin hensler
41. DoeEyesTrish : While at Florence Crittenton Home for Unwed Mothers in Little Rock Arkansas I gave birth to a little girl on December 8th 1976 and gave her up for adoption. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do but I believed she would be better off with two parents. I wanted so badly to raise her myself but had just turned 18 a month prior and barely had any work experience. I remember only being able to choose the religion I wished her to be raised in. I selected Southern Baptist and was hoping this would mean there would be a better chance she would be raised in the south.
42. 121212 : I was born june 1961 in little Rock ark pulaski county i was adopted at the age of 3yrs old my birth name was Margrate ann Johnson i was adopted through department of human services
43. Shannonmeby : Female adoptee b. June 25, 1959 in McHenry County, IL Mother: LaVerne Thelma Youngman (b. 1939 AR) Father: William Arthur Youngman (b. 1927 IL/KY/AR) possible sister (age 30 as of August 6, 2015 in FL) adopted jointly with two younger siblings- 1 female and 1 male- both born in IL Father was a machinest and married LaVerne Thelma Abner very young they lived in IL, KY, and possibly AR, mothers homestate) father has a sister, Donna Garcia in KY father had other sibling(S)- would have been brothers, one was disowned by the family for unknown reasons and is known by different aliases mother had several siblings, her being the second youngest Maternal grandmother was Natalie Abner father never remarried and possibly had one other child, a daughter who possibly is living in FL reported that possible sister was looking for me or my siblings at some point cousins in AR on maternal side have confirmed all information to date unknown if mother still living LOOKING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON BIRTH MOTHER OR SIBLINGS
44. Suehunley : Born in Olney, Maryland, adopted out by Frederick Co. adoption agency
45. LDW52 : Monroe, Louisiana-birth/around 3:23 pm on 12/31/81 Pine Bluff, Arkansas-adoption Birth Mother-19 or 20 years old with a 4 year old son Lawyer in Monroe: first name Kirby Price Lawyer in Arkansas: Stephen Matthews Judge in Jefferson County, Arkansas: Lawrence Dawson
