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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3,229 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 1,205,098 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.
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Arkansas Who Chose To Be Featured
811. RCollins6474 : Laskey Family Oklahoma Sasha Gorham District of Columbia (Maryland) Forshee Oklahoma Wood Family Washington DC Hamm Family
812. KeithFrazier : I was told my birth mother was 16-17 an fixing to start college.
813. BMAGGARD : I was placed for adoption in Little Rock, AR and lived in foster homes until I was adopted at the age of 2 years old.
814. Gmapooh : My mother was adopted by Charles and Minnie Graves (Warren maiden name) . Not sure if she was born in Memphis, TN or Eldorado, AR. I don’t know where the adoption took place. I have read my mother Genyadell Graves was adopted at 3 days old. Charles and Minnie were both chiropractors.
815. GramammaWest : My granddaughter was born in Arkansas and parental rights were taken from her parents Devin Danielle West and Jason Murray. She was born Wednesday Gabrielle Murray I believe her birthday is November 15th somewhere around 2000-2003?? I found out she was being adopted too late to make a difference so I’ve been waiting and praying. The pic is of me and her mother and the only photo I have of Wednesday.
816. Cdtoneturner : Jonesboro Arkansas
817. Luv4doulphins : At the time of the adoption my name was sue mitchell, my dauggters name was Tennessa Dawn Hearing, she was born in Fayetteville Ar Oct 6, 1997. She has an older sister Brittney Hile as well as a younger brother Gabriel Litchfield. My name has since been changed due to domestic violence to Jacquline Litchfield. She was assaukted when she was 23 days old while i was at work and taken immediately into the foster care system, i went through 2 judges, 6 attorneys, and 7 case workers during the course of 18 months fighting to get her home. I ran out of time and money and my rights were terminated, i filed an appeal however the court clerk failed to file the apeal in time and it was denied. There were many many mistakes made with our case and i have since tecieved an apology from the state of Ar. However, that doesnt undue the coid left in our hearts by her absence. Tennessa we love you and i have never forgotten or stopped thinking of you.
818. Sunka1234 : I am leah marie meredith and I’m looking for my kids Dacey starr pickle and nicholas Vaughn pickle
819. Gellen : Looking for birth parents of male born May 21, 1992 in Little Rock, Arkansas at Doctors Hospital.
820. Judymanson777 : Looking for biological family of my Grandfather John Laurence MacKown (passed away) that was adopted I believe in CA (not sure) by David D. and Mary V Harrison-MacKown. His birth place is shown on 2 different census taken and stated place of birth as New Jersey and also Artesia, CA
821. Tsisson10 : 08/09/1969 white county hospital searcy AR baby girl
822. GARMON1984 : I’m looking for my birth mother
823. Marymcg93 : I was adopted from Little Rock, Arkansas Feb 24th 1993. I have one step brother and one step sister but their names are not listed. I am looking for all family members. I live in NY now.
824. Dsyeaton : We looked for decades for a missing cousin. We found his sibling several years ago via cousinconnect and him this year (2019) via DNA, about two weeks before their birth mother our aunt died. She was born in 1960 and adopted in FL. He was born in 1958, adopted in CA, and lives in UT. At our aunt’s funeral, neighbors told us that in her last months, she told them she had children. Three or four children. Neighbors have told us that the aunt (born 1936) became pregnant in high school (1950-1955 if this is true) or at age 17 (1953-1954 if this is true) and was sent to FL to have the baby. We do not know much: mother’s maiden name, if listed: Anderson, birth state of mother: MA, she was very tall and thin, loved animals and dogs, Danish, German, English ethnicity. We have done DNA on ancestrydna and 23andme. If this is you....or you think it could be you because part of the story matches...please do DNA testing so that we can see if we match! And we are unsure why there were said to be: three or four children. Could it have been twins, which run in our family? Or is there another child with a different birth year and possible different birth and adoption state? These birth years are only guesses...it conceivably could have been any time after her birth in 1936 as maybe a teen (1949 or before?) to menopause (maybe before 1986?) but most likely in the 1950s or 1960s. Do any of these guesses for you or someone you know? We are a dozen cousins looking for decades!
825. Lacymax : A relative saw on another site that my Father was searching for me. All information he had was correct except for the date he was given. I was born in Shreveport, LA to Madeline Stamey, in 1957. I have never met her. I was told my father knew nothing about me. I now believe my Father’s name is Harold Ray Turner. I would love to talk to him and hear about his life. He would be 83 and I think maybe lives in Florida. Thank you and God bless.
