adoption

Legal guardianship would make your husband her guardian and give him the right to make decisions for her that he currently wouldn't be able to such as medical or educational decisions. Guardianship can be taken away again. Also, a judge would probably wonder why your husband would need guardianship. It would terminate some of your rights as a parent. Now adoption would give him full parental rights just like a father and it could not be taken away again, well at least not easily. Parental rights aren't terminated as easily as a guardianship. Your parental rights would not be limited as they would be if your husband would take guardianship. Adoption would also give your daughter your husband's last name, if so desired. So guardianship is really not what you want but adoption. Now, the child's birth father still has parental rights, which aren't that easily terminated, even if he is not in the picture, unless he is deceased. He has to give his permission to the adoption. The permission can be substituted by court decision, if he doesn't react to notifications and such or is seen unfit. You really should consult with a family lawyer, who will file the necessary paperwork and who can advice you of the proceedings. Often initial consultations are free. Call around and see, if you can find one. They'll be able to tell you the costs and such, too.