MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Families from all over the state joined Governor Robert Bentley and Secretary of State John H. Merrill during Alabama’s inaugural International Adoption Celebration January 29, 2015 in the Old House Chamber of the Alabama State Capitol. More than twenty Alabama families and agencies from all over the state, which have gone through the process of adopting children from other countries from January 1 through December 31, 2014, were recognized for their philanthropy and love.
Secretary of State Merrill recognized his office is integral in the process that allows numerous adoptions to take place internationally. Hundreds of Alabama citizens decide to offer their homes, and increase their families by adopting from countries that are party to the Hague Convention and beyond. These countries require specific documentation that must be authenticated or certified by the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office before granting adoptions of their children.
“I am excited Governor Bentley agrees it is time to recognize these families who provide unselfish love and kindness to foreign children and who don’t mind being recognized,” stated Secretary of State John Merrill. “These children can benefit greatly in Alabama, with the type of parents who have already gone through so much effort to bring them home.”
Secretary Merrill and Governor Bentley both provided remarks at the celebration, and each family received a special certificate of recognition. Families and agency representatives had their photos made with the Governor and Secretary.
For more information about the services provided at the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office visit www.sos.alabama.gov.
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