Arkansas Adoption Records
The world's largest adoption reunion registry for adoptees and families
Start Your Search Today
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.
Register Now Directory
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.
Search in nearby states to Arkansas
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 1,205,107 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
-
Bigbubba83
3 minutes ago
-
Gabriella1230
14 minutes ago
-
Child64
23 minutes ago
-
DennisCrosse
33 minutes ago
-
Carbonfootpri
44 minutes ago
-
Bridgetth
56 minutes ago
-
Anyacruzlm1
56 minutes ago
-
Clairpearl
57 minutes ago
-
Ghostlygrey
1 hour ago
-
Denzor66
1 hour ago
-
Merandadold
1 hour ago
-
NicoleLuna090922
1 hour ago
-
Baileymt5252
1 hour ago
-
ChristalO75
1 hour ago
-
Never4getu
2 hours ago
-
Jackieklug
2 hours ago
-
Shelley828
2 hours ago
-
LiselleH
2 hours ago
-
Twin45
3 hours ago
-
Kekeispansexual
3 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Arkansas Who Chose To Be Featured
1321. Ashleystratton87 : Brantley Michael Stratton born Springhill Baptist in NLR Arkansas September 10th 2018 to mother Ashley Brooke Stratton and father Steven lee holland biological father Brett Michael Rutherford hula. Brantley momma never wanted to lose you like I did this state sucks I loved you from the day u were born til the day I take my last breath and miss you and your brother so bad it hurts physically in my chest I love you both to the moon and back more than you’ll ever know watch the movie home and trolls rock tour we loved watching those movies eating pizza and you both were Snapchat hams natural born models cutest boys in AR second n third place cutest kid contest 2018-19
1322. JosalynDaniels : I miss you all I think of you all and I will always keep you all in my heart
1323. AmberLynnTurner : My name is Amber Turner‚ I am the maternal aunt of Ryder Wayne. I raise his brother and sister‚ Brentlee Cole and Heide Braelynn and would love for all of them to meet one day.
1324. Ericashamblin : I’m looking for my daughter harley who was born November 28th 2008‚ my son hunter who was born may 21st 2012‚ my son Preston who was born July 3rd 2014‚ and my son Joseph who was born February 21st 2018. They are from little rock arkansas.
1325. Brittany33 : Trying to find my son‚ he was born June 14‚ 2006 at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton Arkansas. The Dr that helped me deliver him was Dr John Baka. I was only 15 yrs old when I had him‚ his birth name was Payton Kye Abbott. I had him the first 4 yrs of his life‚ I was a single mother. I was still a child trying to raise a child all by myself. I did the best I could but it obviously wasn’t good enough for DHS. The Department of Human Services in Saline Co "Benton Arkansas" took him from me at the age of 4. He was such a Happy Boy & had everything he needed & even wanted. I guess u could say he was way to spoiled. He was NEVER abused or neglected in anyway whatsoever. But the Caseworker that had been assigned to me was always very rude towards me‚ from the first day she met me it was obvious that she didn’t like me & did everything she could to make me look like a bad parent & even did the least she could to help me in anyway. When DHS removes any child from their parents the main goal is supposed to b reunification‚ but in my case all she wanted & accomplished was to terminate my parental rights. My life hasn’t been the same since. I struggle with major depression‚ birthdays & holidays r the worst. He’s fixing to b 18 before to long & there isn’t a single day that I don’t think about or miss him. I pray every night for his safety‚ health‚ & that he hasn’t forgotten me & that when the time comes & he’s old enough that he’ll look for me. When they terminated my rights he supposedly was adopted so their for I know that his last namé has changed‚ I wouldn’t b surprised if they didn’t change his first name as well. But the last info I was given about him was that he supposedly lived in Bryant Arkansas with his foster parents & went to Bryant Elementary School‚ and that was over 10 yrs ago so God only knows where or who he’s with now. He also has a younger brother & sister that r supposedly with him if the system hasn’t separated them & split them apart. His brothers name was Christian McCollum & sisters name was Gracie Manuel I pray to God that him and his brother and sister wasn’t separated and that they’re still together. Please if anybody has any info or any knowledge of them please contact me, my name is Brittany. Thank you and God bless
1326. Rechee1202 : Born to 18 yr old Caucasian female 12/2/1975 at St. Vincent’s infirmary in Little Rock Arkansas (Pulaski county). Mother relinquished her parental rights because she suffered from a seizure disorder and was admitted to a facility for testing and for psych evaluations. She had 2 older children that she placed for adoption a few years before I was born as well. Father was listed as unknown but I believe him to be of mixed race or African American.
1327. Crain1986 : My child was born at St.Bernard’s hospital in Jonesboro Arkansas in 2005 and her name at the time was Hailey Jade Carter and her dob is June 8th of 2005.
1328. Sy13nt : I don’t have a ton of information to go off of‚ but I was born in Little Rock‚ AR on June 29‚ 1988 at Doctor’s Hospital(?). My adoption was handled before I was born. I’ve heard that my birth mother already had children before I came along.
1329. ABfurnsculpt : I’m trying to find my mother’s sister. She was born in 1968 in Indianapolis‚ Indiana. I do not know state the adoption occurred. I do know that the birth mother turned 26 in 1968. The birth father was around 40. All this information has only been revealed by the birth mother in the past year. I have DNA on Adopted‚ Ancestry‚ 23andMe‚ MyHeritage‚ FamilytreeDNA‚ and GEDmatch. We’d really need that to match. -Nephew ❤️ Adoptee: Female DOB 1968 Indianapolis‚ Indiana Birth mother maiden name: Hodnett DNA matches may include Hodnett Russell Hale French
1330. Lookingforyou2023 : We our looking for our sibling who wa sput up for adoption. Their birth mothers name would have been Judith Marlene Daly.
1331. Clint327 : I was born at the Doctor’s Hospital in Little Rock‚ AR.
1332. Tonishaffer : Two children‚ siblings/ boy and a girl. Names at birth Markus Shaffer Delena Diane Shaffer He was born March 19‚ 2008 she was born April 12th 2009. Taken by DHS due to maternal abuse. Both born at UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock. Father is Michael Shaffer Mother is Dixie Shaffer/Shellnut
1333. KaylaAllen : I have an older brother and an older sister named Candace. I am the youngest. I was born at National Park Hospital in Hot Springs AR. My dad is diabetic. I was adopted at 18 months old when adopted. My birth mom’s first name is Kimberly.
1334. Hopefulwishing : dr.noonan at johnson co. regional hospital clarksville ar. leonard lee fulmer december10‚2010 rylee jaxun ray elliott january 21‚2013 to sonya lynn elliott. logan county dcfs sherry buckner
1335. Tfulmerr : Hi! I’m looking for my stepson‚ he was born in Aiken sc. His father wasn’t informed of the adoption until after it had happened & in our state that’s perfectly legal. So at this point‚ we have no idea where he is. His name is Greyson Slade Oshields or Faith. We’re not sure what last name she gave him. Her name is Abigail and also has another child. If any of this sounds familiar‚ please reach out. It would mean to world to me and my husband if we could find our son.
