There has been a bit of confusion regarding the new adoptee right’s law in Arkansas that became effective August 1, 2018. Act 519 became law in March 2017 giving adoptees the ability to request their files if they are at least 21 years of age starting August 1, 2018. Many people believe that adult adoptees (those that have been adopted) have an unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificates, but the new law does not give adoptees unrestricted rights. What the new law does do is significantly change how an adult adoptee may request and obtain an original birth certificate. An adoptee is now able to request his or her “adoption file”. This file is an Arkansas Department of Health file containing the adoptee’s original birth certificate and the adoption decree. File inclusions can vary depending on the adoption.
What does the new law do? As I mentioned above, adoptees that are at least 21 may request their adoption file from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). However, the file is subject to redactions by birth parents. Forms are now available online for birth parents to edit their information in an adoption file. This means they may remove/edit their names as well as update their family history information, contact preference, and/or medical information. Birth parents can also request to be contacted by the adopted child directly, through a third party or not at all, although the ADH cannot guarantee that request will be followed. The request costs $100. Redaction forms may be found online at www.healthy.arkansas.gov or by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 1-800-462-0599. Forms must be returned to the ADH Vital Records Department, State Registrar, 4815 West Markham St., Slot 44, Little Rock AR 72205.
To submit a redaction request, a birth parent must show proof of identity, submit a notarized form and update their genetic or social history. A form cannot be submitted by one birth parent for another.
Written requests for adoption files will be accepted by adoptees or, upon their death, a surviving spouse or a guardian of their child. That request must be notarized and include proof of their identity. There is a $100 fee to process an application for adoption files.
New subsections also go along with the new law.
Adoption and any information pertaining to an adoption are sensitive matters to all involved. Kevin Hickey Law Partners can help you navigate through the new law and help you from beginning to end. We can assist in the initial filings and be with you all the way through the entire process whether you are the adoptee or a birth parent. Contact us today.