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 1,205,104 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
916. Elb2002 : My mom is looking for her brother. My grandma Bertha had six children she put up for adoption. she has been in contact with all her siblings other then they are still looking for their brother who birth name was Jimmy Lee
917. P2g1weeone : Oklahoma and Missouri. Mother Sarah E Eatherly or Sarah E Meigs or Sarah E Phillips or Sarah E ratliff. Father Lawerance eatherly or return c meigs or Rossi Phillips or Paul d ratliff. From 1946 to 1964. You have either bio siblings or half sibli vs. I’ve found 9 so far. Since 1975
918. Piboiva : She was born in the Little Rock area. I think our mom was in a women’s shelter that compelled adoptions, but I’m not sure.
919. Velmajoycefreeman : I was born at St. Vincent’s infirmary in Little Rock Arkansas, My doctor was Dr. Paul Eugene Schrolder Md
920. Rockon1379 : My grandmother put a child up for adoption at birth in 1959. The gender is believed to a girl. She was born at St Vincent’s Hospital in Little Rock‚ AR and it is believed she was adopted by a family in the Searcy area and may still live there. Also‚ it is believed that her adopted father was a doctor. She was born on either 11/15 or 11/16 in 1959. She has a biological mother‚ four brothers‚ six nephews‚ two nieces‚ seven great-nieces‚ three great-nephews and a growing myriad of in-laws that would love to meet her or at the very least know who she is and that she is okay.
921. DanitaMullins : Looking for birth parents of my husband, Marcus Mullins, born in Bentonville, AR on Nov. 9, 1977 at Bates Memorial Hospital. He has not had luck finding anything so far, so trying to help him by looking more online to see if they have better results. I will upload my husband’s picture (adopted) in the profile.
922. Cprickett16 : His name is Jeffrey Borden, adoptive parents are Ralph and Marjorie Borden. He has an adoptive brother, Brian and his adoptive parents have one biological son, Kent.
923. Bobbifrazier : Tiffanies fuller my child. Looking for her.
924. Alberta07 : Ke’Andre i just want you to know mommy love you so very much. I pray for you and your sister every night and that we will be reunited so I can tell you the truth about what really happen😍😘
925. Alberta07 : My baby girl, my only girl I love you so so so much. I pray I find you and your brother (KP) soon. I need you all to know the truth about what really happen and I pray we reunite soon so we can make up for loss times. Love u babygirl😍😘
926. Kittybag45 : I don’t have very much information about my birth parents. I do know my mom was a caucasian 13 year old and my dad was a Afro American 16 yrs old. She was in the 7th grade and he was in the 9th. One set of grandparents had a nickle and dime store and the other set had a rice farm.
927. Kittybag45 : The only information that I have is that mom was 13yr old and in 7th grade and my father was 16yr old in the 9th grade. My mom has blue eyes and blonde hair and was 5’2 and my father has brown eyes black hair and was 5’9
928. BabyWilkins : I was born in Little Rock Arkansas to Clara Marie Wilkins My birth father is Lanny or Lannie Watsion Seeking family members
929. Samantha8930 : My name is samantha westendorf looking for my daughter i gave in adoption when she was born her name is catherine ann
930. JuliaGPowell : I was born in Houston, TX. My birth parents had already had one child, a female. One or both may have a hearing loss.
