The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

Terms Used In Washington Code 26.38.010

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
(1) “Child” means an unemancipated individual under 18 years of age.
(2) “Child-placing agency” means a person with authority under chapter 74.15 RCW to identify or place a child for adoption. “Child-placing agency” does not include a parent of the child.
(3) “Custody” has the same meaning as “physical custody” as defined in RCW 26.27.021.
(4) “Department” means the department of children, youth, and families.
(5) “Guardian” means a person recognized as a legal guardian under RCW 26.33.020 or under chapter 11.130 RCW.
(6) “Intercountry adoption” means an adoption or placement for adoption of a child who resides in a foreign country at the time of adoption or placement. “Intercountry adoption” includes an adoption finalized in the child’s country of residence or in a state.
(7) “Intermediary” means a person that assists or facilitates a transfer of custody of a child, whether or not for compensation.
(8) “Parent” has the same meaning as defined in RCW 26.26A.010.
(9) “Person” means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal entity.
(10) “Record” means information:
(a) Inscribed on a tangible medium; or
(b) Stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in perceivable form.
(11) “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any other territory or possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. “State” includes a federally recognized Indian tribe.
  Previous section
Next section  
 Chapter 26.38 Contents