Dozens of children and their adoptive parents celebrated the official start of their new families yesterday during the District’s 20th annual Adoption Day in Court ceremony.

Hundreds gathered at the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse to witness 48 children and their parents receive adoption decrees from the judges who worked with the adults, the children and the social workers during the adoption process.

So far, there have been 244 adoptions in the District this fiscal year, with 291 more pending approval. The DC Child and Family Services Agency said more than 300 other children are waiting to be adopted.