Arkansas Adoption Laws

Access to Adoption Records

Obtaining Non-Identifying Information:

Non-identifying information is available to adoptive parents or guardians and adopted adults age 18 or older.

Obtaining Identifying Information:

Identifying information is provided through an Adoption Registry.

Using the Adoption Registry:

The State Department of Human Services maintains an adoption registry for DHS placements. Licensed voluntary agencies also may establish and maintain registries. The DHS registry is a mutual consent registry in which both parties must be registered before identifying information can be released. Adopted adults age 21 or older, birth parents, and individuals related within the second degree may register. Before release of information, parties requesting information are required to have 1 hour of counseling.

Contact:

Arkansas Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry
PO Box 1437, Slot S565
Little Rock, AR 77203-1437
(501) 682-8462
Web site: www.state.ar.us/dhs/adoption/mcvar.htm

Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate:

An adoptee must petition the court in which the adoption was finalized to receive.