Arkansas Adoption Records
The world's largest adoption reunion registry for adoptees and families
Start Your Search TodayAccessing 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 DirectoryAre 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 1,205,097 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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Merandadold 27 minutes ago
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NicoleLuna090 28 minutes ago
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ChristalO75 36 minutes ago
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Never4getu 1 hour ago
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Arkansas Who Chose To Be Featured
1381. Amanda9996 : Born in Galveston‚ Tx and left in hospital. Given name “Mandy”
1382. Smokyoak : May have had a twin. No father on BC. Mother was 20 yrs old.
1383. Katim : Name tariku mola Mother’s name tsehay mola City wurgessa
1384. AmandaFayeParker : Kameron and Keyveon‚ I love you and I’m waiting you!
1385. BreannC : Looking for my adopted Son. Who I believe lives in Texas now. His name was Jerry Dewayne Schalski at birth.
1386. PickleGremlin : Hi‚ my name is Ebony and I’m your sister. It would be wonderful to get to know you and hopefully let you know of your other sisters.
1387. BrittanyWarren13 : Garland County Hot Springs‚ AR. National Park Medical Center (Hospital of Birth) Lyllian Ryan Cleveland-Warren (Adopted Child’s Birth Name) Adam L. Cleveland (Father) Brittany D Warren (Mother) Lisa C. Patterson (Maternal Grandmother) Shelia Cleveland (Paternal Grandmother) Mountain Pine School District (Last known school attended) Kenneth Cleveland (Paternal Grandfather)
1388. Nem1109 : Just looking to see if my great grandma was adopted from an Indian reservation
1389. Aprilhensley64 : He was adopted out 2023 jack harmon culbreath 111 .no one contacted us he was even in foster care .his dad was killed my brother . little jack is only son.Im little Jack’s aunt .I would have taken him and brought him home to family‚it breaks my heart Dhs did not look for his bio family
1390. Ronda1983 : I’m looking for my birth mother. I was born on June 29th 1983 in Little Rock Arkansas. I was adopted at 2 weeks and 3 days old to adoptive parents that lived in Hot Springs Arkansas.
1391. Jmkoellner : Abbagail and Maggie this is your mom Joan Koellner-Madewell I’m trying to find you both love you mom
1392. John2024 : His mother was Barbara Marie Ingram deceased.
1393. MaKenzieLeeJones : My little sisters birth name was MaKayla MaKenna-Lee Barnes. Birth parents Amanda & David Barnes she was born in Fort Smith‚ Arkansas. May have changed spelling of first name to Mikayla in 2011 & not sure if middle name is still the same either. Foster/caretakers were Brenda & Wayne Wooten of Hartford‚ Arkansas. Also not sure if ever got adopted may have stayed in the system. I’m the oldest sibling. I was 6 years old in foster care with our brother David who was 4 yrs old at the time when she was born. We never got to see or meet her. 3 months after she was born we were adopted.
1394. NKuhnsgirl : Have been told he was born in the Piggott‚ Arkansas hospital. Birth mother was Sandra Faith (Boyd) Proctor. She wasn’t married when she gave birth so the Proctor name probably wasn’t used. Have other info. On our mother‚ willing to share with brother. Our father name was Willie C. Thomas ‚ but is not proven‚ don’t know much about him.
1395. Jenniferlynn8985 : I am looking for a woman whose birth name was Bonnie Sue Todd. Born on October 8‚ 1963 as a twin to Connie Lou Todd in Huntington‚ Indiana. Parents are Bill Todd and Barbara King Todd‚ both of Arkansas.