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 1,205,106 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
1036. Scottandkim12 : MY BIOLOGICAL MOTHERS NAME IS BETTY MARIE SMITH. I was born in Siloam Springs Arkansas at Memorial Hospital. I was adopted just days after my birth by James Langton and Mary Ann Watson Langton of Oklahoma.
1037. Scottandkim12 : MY BIOLOGICAL MOTHERS NAME IS BETTY MARIE SMITH SHE WAS 18 YEARS OLD WHEN I WAS BORN. I was born in Siloam Springs Arkansas at Memorial Hospital. I was adopted just days after my birth by James Langton and Mary Ann Watson Langton of Oklahoma.
1038. Canalzone : My step son Michael Parish was adopted. His birth name was Michael James Porter or James Michael Porter. He was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, he was adopted in Arkansas. He has done a DNA test on ancestry and have located cousins but no one knew he existed and don’t know his parents.
1039. MikeLStone : Birth name of child Michael L McGinnis Mother’s name Joan McGinnis Place of birth Gainesville, MO Father’s possible name Ross J Coan or Coen. Not sure of spelling. He was in California.
1040. SHarris92 : My Name is Shalimar Harris I am The Biological and Birth Mother If A’niyla Ann Ashay Harris , I dont know if her and her brothers last name been changed but I would like to be reunited with my children ...i live in newport Arkansas and my children have siblings I would love for them to meet....I am trying to find who adopted my 2 children A’niyla Harris And Bryson Travis
1041. Morgan57 : patrick toner tressea toner
1042. Lcsappington : I was born 7/28/1971 at St. Vincent’s Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas. My birth mother was a resident at the Florence Crittenden Home for Unwed Mothers. I was placed with my adoptive family 5 days later. I am searching for my birth parents, any siblings, or family.
1043. Lcsappington : When given access to my birth records, I found out my birth mother had been a previous resident of the Florence Crittenden Home for Unwed Mothers. She gave birth to a child on 2-2-1969. The gender is not listed. I think the child would have been born at St. Vincent’s Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas.
1044. Jfry1956 : Billy joe vest drove truck thru arkansas and texas lppmi g for siblings he handed over to state at an older age. He wAs worthless but I know I have siblings out there 2. Bros and a sister. My mom divorced him in 1957 on kensett arkansas and took me to michigan. Be was always with a woman maybe birth mother name barbara think Robert may have been oldest boys name...i am looking and went stop till I die.
1045. Ron857 : I am trying to find my daughter Elizabeth Dora CarolAnn Long (19) ,she was only 4 months old when taken by Lawrence county DHS in arkansas (2003) from her father (Larry Joe Long) and I (Rhonda Lea Long) Lawrence county courthouse judge Larry King head supervisor of DHS Tina Jordan , Elizabeth was born in Searcy Arkansas White county hospital on December 1st of 2002 to Rhonda Lee long and Larry Joe long, I was a very loving mother just young and educated and no job on drugs,(not real bad), I would just let the opportunity show you that I am a good and loving person who just made some bad decisions I never really got to know you cuz you is only 4 months old when you was taking from me the last time I got to see you ,you was only 1 years old , mommy loves you to the moon and back
1046. SSeabaugh97 : My mother, Kelly Seabaugh, was facing a significant time in jail. She had already been in jail on and off most of my brothers life. My mother made the choice to give my brother to her cousin. Almost immediately after her going to jail her cousin adopted him out. I do not want to reconnect him with ANY of my family. In fact I’m not sure I would ever want him to know I exist unless he was searching. I simply want to know he is safe. I’d love to see what he looks like now and how he is. I am his older half sister. My name is Shelby Seabaugh. I was 12 or 13 when he was adopted. His name was Conner and he is biracial. He was born at SE hospital, I’m told, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was adopted out when he was 4-5. It was a very quick adoption and the state was not involved. I am not sure if his last name was Roberts, Tillman, Knapp, Lipps or Seabaugh. I have no idea who his biological father is.
1047. Boytwins : I’m looking for my twin brothers that were born at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas Philip William Woolsey, Mark Vincent Woolsey 10/20/1955 Mother lost contact of twin brothers when placed in foster care in Bebee, Arkansas. I believe an Agency in lone Oak County placed them somewhere. Birth Mother was Julia May Witt Woolsey Birth Father was Jillian Boyd Woolsey
1048. Ladybugbutterfly16 : Austin Brice Mayfield I’m your mom Cassie Cassandra Shelton and I want you to know I’ve been trying to find you for a long time of love you to the moon and back I would like to see you and your sister Emily Nicole Mayfield and Haily Alexis Mayfield Austin lives with his youngest sister Haily Alexis Mayfield with there grandma Belinda Moore and Blake Moore in Brooklyn/ Jonesboro area
1049. Tonishaffer : I’m the biological paternal grandmother wanting to know if child was adopted after cops took him.
1050. LoC1931 : My mother was adopted by the Holden Family in West Helena‚ ARK. Birth certificate listed grandmother as Lolar Holden‚ father Henry Holden‚ and mother Elise Miles(?).
