National Adoption Day, which took place this year on Nov.18, is an annual event held to raise awareness for more than 100,000 foster-care children nationwide who are waiting to find their forever families. Adoptions for hundreds of children are finalized on this special day. This year 261 children were adopted in Maricopa County.

Our Bureau of Vital Records Birth Registry Team has participated in this event for the last five years. This year the team greeted families at our booth and provided a brief packet with instructions on how to amend and obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate for their adopted child. The Bureau also provided a few items for adoptive parents and adoptive children to help celebrate their special day.

The Bureau appreciates the collaborative working relationship the Birth Registry Team and the court personnel have formed and we are honored to be a part of such an important event in the lives of Arizona citizens.