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
1246. Samothmaldonado : Birth parents are Mario Luis Maldonado and Denise Poenish. Adoption took place in Arkansas between 2010-2013. Has a little sister named Isabella that was adopted with him
1247. Willwtaylor2 : Born at Salem Hospital in Salem‚ AR‚ Fulton County. Ricky was abused by his birth mother around 9 months of age. Had several broken bones. Was transferred to Little Rock Children’s Hospital. Ricky was adopted by a nurse that worked there from family members’ stories over the years.
1248. Mandy11977 : Hello‚ I am looking for my cousin. I believe his name at birth is Ricky or Richard‚ Potential middle name: Lee ‚Potential Last name Shepherd He was born in Salem County Hospital in Fulton County Arkansas about 1977‚1978. Birth mother’s name is Eunice Taylor and Birth father’s name Burton Shepherd. He was removed from the home of birth parents by CPS when he was taken to hospital with c/o broken arms and legs as a small newborn or child. He was transferred to Little Rock Childrens’ Hospital. We believe one of his nurses adopted him. He has family that is interested in getting to know him.
1249. Nikeyjoe08 : Looking for my friends birth parents. His mom is from Tx and was in jobcore‚ she had him in Tulsa Oklahoma on 10-11-83 and she was 17. He has no idea where or who they are.
1250. Nikeyjoe08 : Hello‚ I am assisting one of my friends and trying to help locate his birth parents. Or at least his birth mother this was a private adoption in Tulsa Oklahoma. He was born in Tulsa at Saint Francis on October 11‚ 1983‚ left with a letter and a bracelet that said Daniel and the letter mentioned Burnett. His mother was 17 from Texas and in Job corps in Tulsa ok when she gave birth. The adoption was closed and happened 2 weeks after birth. Adopted with name John woods.
1251. KimberlyBolinKing : I am looking to find my mother’s birth parents and family. I just want to know more about where I come from. Her name on her birth certificate was Johnnie Lynn Neyman. Huntsville Arkansas‚ May 6th 1957 8:13 pm.
1252. NikkiSabbs : I was 18 years old in 1990 and forced by my parents to give my baby girl up for adoption. It was a private adoption that my parents got paid by the lawyers for. The law office was Skocus Coleman and rainwater in Little Rock Ar I was not allowed to see or hold my baby the day I gave birth they took her. I now have 4 other children and 1 grandchild and we would really like to find my daughter
1253. Sharon1975 : Sharon riddle 12/7/75 Shannon Riddle 09/16/58 We miss you so much and want to see you come home. We love you so much!!!
1254. CherylHunterLong : I am looking for both a brother and a sister. I don’t know when either was born I was born in 1955‚ and I found a sister born in 1958 before my dad died he told me that I also had a brother & sister out there somewhere. I am a genealogist and have been researching for 40-plus yrs. These 2 siblings could be born from 1947-1955 and then from 1958 to ??. I found one sister born in CA. Didn’t meet my dad until I was 26 back in 1981. Joyce Wayne also went by Jay Hunter‚ JW Hunter I found he was in prison in TX. and CA. I found all his siblings‚ and families.
1255. CherylHunterLong : Looking for a Sister could have been born between at 1947-1981. You have another sister I found‚ and have been contacted with also.
1256. KristieJ : Born in Fayetteville ‚ AR
1257. Aallard23 : I’m a mother trying to find her children contact me if u have any information thanks
1258. Goldsnake88 : I would love to talk to her but more importantly I just want to know she is happy and in loving family and is doing great
1259. Sarajimenez : Would like to find my son
1260. Inoe1 : Our mother is Paula Morataya Coyan
