What's the difference between stepparent adoption and guardianship in Washington?

These are very different legal arrangements in Washington:

Stepparent Adoption:

• Permanent — cannot be reversed
• You become the child's legal parent
• Biological parent's rights are terminated
• Full inheritance rights
• Full medical decision-making
• New birth certificate issued
• Filed in Superior Court, takes 3-6 months

Guardianship:

• Temporary — can be modified or revoked
• You are the child's caretaker, not legal parent
• Biological parent retains parental rights
• No inheritance rights (unless specified in a will)
• Limited decision-making authority
• No new birth certificate
• Requires ongoing court oversight

Bottom line: If you want to be the child's legal parent permanently, adoption is the answer. Guardianship is typically used when adoption isn't possible or desired — for example, when grandparents are caring for a child temporarily.

Our cost for adoption: $349 | Timeline in Washington: 3-6 months