The Guardianship Council of the Caribbean Netherlands (CN) used to arrange temporary guardianship for children aged 12 to 18 who wanted to study abroad. This is no longer necessary. Parents or caregivers can now arrange this themselves with a written authorization.
What does this mean?
Minors between 12 and 18 years old can now travel abroad for study purposes without an official guardianship decision. However, parents must make clear written agreements themselves.
What should parents do?
The parent(s) with legal custody (mother, father or both) must give written permission to someone abroad. This person will be responsible for caring for the child.
The authorization must include:
- Full name, address, date and place of birth, and birth name of the parent(s)
- Full name, address, date and place of birth, and birth name of the child
- Full name, address, date and place of birth, and birth name of the authorized person abroad
- What this person is allowed to do on behalf of the parent(s), such as:
- Daily care of the child
- School or university registration
- Taking out health insurance
- Applying for a travel pass (e.g. train card)
- Registration with a doctor or other organizations
- The address where the child will stay abroad
- Start and end date of the authorization
Important: If the period is extended, a new authorization must be made.
For the journey itself, a travel authorization must be made. This should include:
- Child’s information
- Parent(s)' information
- Information of the person travelling with the child
- The destination
- The travel period (departure and return date)
The authorization must be legalized by a notary office. You will need to bring:
- The signed authorization
- A valid passport
- Proof of custody
How do you get proof of custody?
- Request the following documents at the Civil Registry Office:
- Extract of parent(s) and child
- Birth certificate of the child
- (If applicable) Act of recognition
- Submit these documents to the Court
- Pay $28
- You will receive the proof of custody within two weeks
Note: Keep this processing time in mind when planning the departure.
You must contact the Guardianship Council CN one to two days before the child is deregistered to request a Declaration of No Objection (DNO).
Note: Without this declaration, the child cannot be deregistered at the Civil Registry Office.
