After the Guardianship Order: School, Medical, Passport and Benefits in Alberta

The Court Order Is the Starting Line, Not the Finish

Getting the guardianship order from the court is the hardest part — but it is not the last part. The order is a piece of paper until you present it to the school, the doctor, CRA and every other institution that controls something in the child's life. Each one has its own process for recognising your authority, and none of them talk to each other.

Here is what to do with the certified order, institution by institution, starting with the most time-sensitive.

School Enrolment and Records

Most guardians already have the child in school before the order is granted, and many schools accepted an informal arrangement up to a point. The guardianship order formalises everything.

Bring a certified copy of the order to the school's main office and ask that your name be added as the child's guardian in their student information system. This gives you authority to:

• Enrol or transfer the child between schools
• Access report cards, attendance records and Individual Program Plans (IPPs)
• Consent to educational assessments and special education placements
• Be contacted as the primary adult for emergencies, field trips and school-related decisions

If the school previously worked with you informally, update the records now. Schools may ask for proof of your legal authority before sharing records or accepting consent, and an old contact list that still names a parent as primary can create confusion during an emergency.

For children with special educational needs, guardianship also gives you standing to participate in IPP meetings and dispute resolution through the school board — processes that may have been blocked without formal legal authority.

Medical and Dental Care

Under Section 21 of the Family Law Act, a guardian has full decision-making authority over the child's health care. Present the certified order to the child's family doctor, dentist, and any specialists. Ask each clinic to update their records so you are listed as the consenting guardian.

Practical steps:

• Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP): Update the child's health care records to reflect your address and guardian information. A single child under 21 who is wholly dependent may be registered as a dependant on a parent's or guardian's AHCIP account; this coverage is separate from private group health insurance.
• Prescription consent: Pharmacies may ask for guardian verification before dispensing medication to a minor. Keep a copy of the order or a wallet-sized certified extract handy.
• Mental health services: Counselling and therapy services for children often require explicit guardian consent. Provide the order at intake to avoid delays.
• Emergency consent: In a genuine emergency, hospitals treat first and ask about guardianship later. For planned non-emergency care, provide the order before consent is needed so the provider can record who has authority to make the decision.

Passport and Travel

For a child under 16, use the child passport application (PPTC 155) and include legal documents showing guardianship. A 16- or 17-year-old uses the adult passport process. The Passport Program asks all parents and legal guardians to sign a child's application and may require their participation.

Passport application: For a child under 16, submit Form PPTC 155 with legal documents showing your guardianship. If the other parent remains a legal guardian, the Passport Program may require their signature or other documents; contact the Passport Program if that parent is unavailable or does not agree.

Travel consent: When travelling internationally with a child who is not your biological child, carry a certified copy of the guardianship order even though it is not technically a border requirement. Canada Border Services Agency and foreign border authorities may ask questions about the relationship, and the order resolves those questions quickly.

If the other parent objects to travel: A guardianship order does not automatically include the right to take the child out of the country. If there is a specific court order restricting travel, or if the child is listed on a Passport Office lookout, the guardianship order alone may not be enough. In contested situations, seek legal advice before booking travel.

Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Transfer

The CCB is a monthly tax-free payment for eligible caregivers. A guardianship order alone does not qualify you: you must live with the child, be primarily responsible for the child's care and upbringing, and meet CRA's other eligibility criteria.

Apply when the child starts living with you or the care arrangement changes, online through your CRA account or by mailing Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application). CRA determines eligibility and may request supporting documents; a signed court order can support proof of primary care. If you apply for a period that began more than 11 months ago, CRA requires additional supporting documents.

If the child lived with you before you applied, submit the application promptly and provide the documents CRA requests for the period claimed.

Alberta Child Health Benefit (ACHB)

Low-income guardians may qualify for the Alberta Child Health Benefit, which covers dental care, prescription drugs, optical services, emergency ambulance and essential diabetic supplies. Children under 18 may qualify; 18- and 19-year-olds may also qualify if they live at home and attend high school. Eligibility depends on household income, family size and other criteria. Apply using the Alberta Child Health Benefit application; Alberta checks income information through CRA with your consent and automatically renews households that remain eligible each September.

Other Notifications

Once the major institutions are updated, work through this list:

• Insurance: If the child is covered under your home or auto insurance, update the policy to reflect the guardianship arrangement. Life insurance beneficiary designations may also need updating.
• Extracurricular activities: Sports leagues, music schools and community programs often require guardian consent for participation and travel. Update contact forms at the start of each season.
• Child's existing benefits: If the child receives any disability benefits, Indigenous services funding, or other provincial supports, notify those agencies and provide a copy of the order.

Keeping Copies Accessible

Order multiple certified copies from the court at the time the order is granted. One for the school, one for the doctor, one for CRA, one for your personal records. Courthouse copy fees are minor compared to the inconvenience of returning for extras later.

Our Alberta Private Guardianship Court Process Guide includes a post-order notification checklist that tracks which institutions have been updated and which still need a copy of your order.

See more Alberta guides →