The energy release rate associated with crack growth in adhesive double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens, including the effect of residual stresses, was formulated using beam theory. Because of the rotation of the asymmetric arms in the adhesive DCB specimens due to temperature change, it is necessary to correct the evaluated fracture toughness of the DCB specimens, specifically in the case of a large temperature change. This study shows that the difference between the true toughness and an apparent toughness due to the consequence of ignoring residual stresses can be calculated for a given specimen geometry and thermo-mechanical properties (e.g. coefficient of thermal expansion). The calculated difference in the energy release rates based on the present correction method is compared with that from FEM in order to verify the present correction method. The residual stress effects on the evaluation of the adhesive fracture toughness are discussed.