> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uplifter.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How do I add or invite a guardian?

> Invite a guardian by email from the Guardians page and understand the invited-to-active lifecycle.

<Note>
  **Must know**

  * Adding a guardian **sends an email invitation** rather than creating a ready-to-use account.
  * If the email is **new to Uplifter**, they set their own password when they accept; if it **already has an Uplifter account**, accepting simply adds them to your club.
  * They show as **Invited** until they accept, then switch to **Active**.
</Note>

Guardians are added from the **Guardians** page. Adding one sends an email invitation rather than creating a ready-to-use account. If the email is new to Uplifter, the guardian sets their own password when they accept. If it already belongs to an Uplifter account — for example, someone who is already a guardian at another club — accepting just adds them to your club, with no new password step.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Guardians page">
    Go to **Guardians** in the dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start an invitation">
    Click **Add guardian**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter their details">
    Enter their **Guardian name** and **Email** (a **Mobile phone** is optional). You can optionally expand **Add billing address** and add one or more of their **Athletes** in the same dialog. Click **Create guardian** — an invite email is sent so they can set their password.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**The Invited → Active lifecycle.** A newly invited guardian carries an **Invited** badge. Because the directory opens on **Active** guardians only, switch the **Status** filter to **Invited** to see everyone who hasn't accepted yet. Once they accept and set up their account, the badge changes to **Active**.

Once a guardian exists (Invited or Active), you can link them to athletes from the athlete's add or edit form — the guardian picker searches existing guardians only, so inviting them first is what makes them selectable there.

**Related:** [What is a guardian and how are they linked to athletes?](/club/athletes-families/what-is-a-guardian) · [How do I add an athlete to my roster?](/club/athletes-families/how-do-i-add-an-athlete) · [What's on a guardian's profile?](/club/athletes-families/whats-on-a-guardian-profile)