DC OPC vs Power of Attorney vs Guardianship for a Child

Four Instruments, Four Different Jobs

DC relative caregivers hear about OPC forms, Custodial Powers of Attorney, medical consent authorizations, and guardianship — and assume they're interchangeable. They're not. Each covers a specific slice of authority, and using the wrong one wastes time or leaves gaps that block you at the school desk or the pediatrician's office.

Here's what each one actually does:

OSSE OPC Form — School Enrollment Only

The Other Primary Caregiver form establishes caregiver status for school enrollment when the parent can't provide care due to a qualifying hardship. It does not prove residency; the DC Residency Verification Form and residency documentation are also required. It does not give you medical consent, financial decision-making, or any authority outside the school enrollment process. The current OPC form is for the 2026–27 school year.

Best for: Parent unavailable (incarcerated, deported, deceased, missing). No parent signature needed — you sign, with supporting evidence.

Custodial Power of Attorney — School + Medical + Daily Care

A CPOA under D.C. Code § 21-2301 is the broadest non-court option. A parent signs it to delegate school enrollment, educational records, medical and dental consent, mental health treatment, and daily physical care. Covers nearly everything except consenting to the child's marriage or adoption.

Best for: Parent available and cooperative. Requires the parent's signature.

Medical Consent Authorization — Health Care Only

D.C. Code § 16-4901 lets a parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian authorize an adult caregiver to consent to medical, dental, and mental health care for the child. It doesn't cover school enrollment, educational decisions, or anything outside health care.

Best for: Situations where you already have school enrollment handled (through OPC or CPOA) and need a separate, focused medical document — or when a provider specifically requests a § 16-4901 form.

Court Guardianship — Full Legal Authority

A guardianship order from the DC Superior Court Family Court gives you court-backed authority over the child's care. It's the strongest instrument, but it requires filing a petition, serving notice on the parents, and appearing before a judge. Filing fees apply, though fee waivers may be available if you cannot afford them.

Best for: Parent permanently unable to care for the child, parent deceased with no other legal arrangements, parent contesting the caregiving arrangement, or when institutions repeatedly refuse non-court paperwork.

Which Combination Do You Need?

Most informal kinship caregivers need one of two combinations:

Parent available: A CPOA alone covers school and medical. Add a standalone § 16-4901 medical consent if a specific provider requests it.

Parent unavailable: The OPC form for school, plus court guardianship (or standby guardianship if planned in advance) for medical authority.

The DC School and Medical Consent Guide includes a side-by-side authority comparison matrix and a decision tree that walks you through the questions step by step.

See more District of Columbia guides →