15 heartwarming photos of newly adopted children and their families

Kristin Salaky,Max KalnitzNov 21, 2020, 15:54 IST

Angel and Sandra Rubio laugh as Alexandra gives her dad a high-five in the courtroom following her adoption.Boston Globe/Getty Images

American families adopt about 135,000 children each year.
On any given day there are an estimated 428,000 children in foster care.
In honor of National Adoption Day on November 21, we compiled 15 heartwarming pictures of children the moment their adoptions were finalized.

About 135,000 children are adopted in the United States each year and the number is even higher internationally, according to 2013 data.

Many more are still looking for families — on any given day, an estimated 428,000 children are in foster care. National Adoption Day, which falls on November 21, seeks to raise awareness for the thousands of children in foster care who are waiting for their permanent homes.

We've rounded up some of the most heartwarming photos of newly adopted children and their families.

Deryck Blake gave the judge a thumbs up as his adoption papers were finalized.

Deryck Blake, 16 at the time, sits with Michael and Kay Wolfe in 2011. Kathryn Scott Osler/Getty Images

Fourth-grade teacher Sophia Kuzia was ecstatic after adopting her daughter, 16-month-old Isabella, on National Adoption Day in 2011.

Attorney Sasha Stern, left, photographs Sophia Kuzia, right, and her newly adopted daughter Isabella. Brian van der Brug/Getty Images

Kerri House hands her husband, Murray, their newly adopted daughter for the first time.

The House family adopted Alin in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2002. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR/PB

Soul clapped with his parents after his adoption papers were finalized in 2012.

Katie and Dennis Whitaker with their newly adopted son, Soul, in 2012. Robert Gauthier/Getty Images

Lance Cpl. Christopher Mohedano-Hernandez, who was adopted by his stepfather on Christmas Eve 2013, greets another adoptee.

The Mohedano-Hernandez family in 2013. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Placeda Era sits with her newly adopted daughter, Ke'miyah Era, during a ceremony at the Miami Children's Museum on National Adoption Day 2015.

Placeda Era is one of the many people who adopted a child on National Adoption Day. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Nathalie Ogando embraces her adopted cousin, 5-year-old Lean Martinez, after she was adopted in 2015.

Nathalie Ogandoand her new cousin, Lean Martinez. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Grace Gonzalez sits with her newly adopted daughter, Bella Gonzalez, who was 2 at the time.

Grace Gonzalez and her new daughter Bella. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Lisa Alvarez hugs her foster child, Lola Rial, before she is adopted during a ceremony on National Adoption Day in 2015.

Lisa Alvarez and Lola Rial. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Giselle Malagon kisses her adopted daughter, Alyssa Malagon, out of happiness that her adoption is now official.

Giselle, Victor, and Alyssa Malagon. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Siblings Destiny, Jamar, and Ke'miyah Era pose for a pic after being adopted in 2015.

The newly adopted Era siblings. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Davion Navar Henry Only and his adoptive mother and former caseworker Connie Going laugh during their formal adoption ceremony.

Davion Navar Henry Only and Connie Going in 2015. Tim Boyles/Getty Images

April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse sued the state of Michigan in 2012, initially challenging the state's restrictions on joint adoption and later the ban on gay marriage at the time.

April DeBoer, left, and spouse Jayne Rowse, center, are hugged by Judge Karen McDonald, as Ken DeBoer, holds 18-month-old Kennedy after an adoption ceremony. AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse sued the state of Michigan in 2012, initially challenging the state's restrictions on joint adoption and later the ban on gay marriage at the time.

Alexandra gives her new dad, Angel Rubio, a high-five following her adoption in 2015.

Judge Daniel Swords holds the newly adopted Alexandra as her parents Angel and Sandra Rubio look on in joy. Boston Globe/Getty Images

Rebeka Romero cried as she got hugs from her sons after their adoption was finalized.

Rebeka Romero embraces her newly-adopted sons in 2017. Helen H. Richardson/Getty Images

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15 heartwarming photos of newly adopted children and their families

Deryck Blake gave the judge a thumbs up as his adoption papers were finalized.

Fourth-grade teacher Sophia Kuzia was ecstatic after adopting her daughter, 16-month-old Isabella, on National Adoption Day in 2011.

Kerri House hands her husband, Murray, their newly adopted daughter for the first time.

Soul clapped with his parents after his adoption papers were finalized in 2012.

Lance Cpl. Christopher Mohedano-Hernandez, who was adopted by his stepfather on Christmas Eve 2013, greets another adoptee.

Placeda Era sits with her newly adopted daughter, Ke'miyah Era, during a ceremony at the Miami Children's Museum on National Adoption Day 2015.

Nathalie Ogando embraces her adopted cousin, 5-year-old Lean Martinez, after she was adopted in 2015.

Grace Gonzalez sits with her newly adopted daughter, Bella Gonzalez, who was 2 at the time.

Lisa Alvarez hugs her foster child, Lola Rial, before she is adopted during a ceremony on National Adoption Day in 2015.

Giselle Malagon kisses her adopted daughter, Alyssa Malagon, out of happiness that her adoption is now official.

Siblings Destiny, Jamar, and Ke'miyah Era pose for a pic after being adopted in 2015.

Davion Navar Henry Only and his adoptive mother and former caseworker Connie Going laugh during their formal adoption ceremony.

April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse sued the state of Michigan in 2012, initially challenging the state's restrictions on joint adoption and later the ban on gay marriage at the time.

Alexandra gives her new dad, Angel Rubio, a high-five following her adoption in 2015.

Rebeka Romero cried as she got hugs from her sons after their adoption was finalized.