Traveling with a minor (documents depending on custody situation)

Who does this apply to?

• Any minor under 18 years old (unmarried and not emancipated) traveling to or from Curaçao
• Parents, guardians, or accompanying adults of the minor

Costs

There is no processing fee — this is a list of documents to present at Border Control, not an application that is paid for.

Decision time

Not applicable. It is verified at the time of the border/airport control, it is not an application with a waiting period.

Requirements

• Scenario A — Both parents have custody, the minor travels with both, parents are married: marriage booklet with the minor's name
• Scenario B — Both parents have custody, the minor travels with both, parents are NOT married: extensive extract of the minor + extract from the Custody Register (both no more than 6 months old)
• Scenario C — Both parents have custody, the minor travels with only one parent, parents are married: marriage booklet + consent form signed by the non-traveling parent + copy of their ID
• Scenario D — Both parents have custody, the minor travels with only one parent, parents are NOT married: extensive extract + custody extract + consent form from the non-traveling parent + copy of their ID
• Scenario E — The minor travels with another person/institution, parents are married: marriage booklet + consent form signed by both parents + copies of ID from both
• Scenario F — The minor travels with another person/institution, parents are NOT married: extensive extract + custody extract + consent form from both parents + copies of ID
• Scenario G — Only one parent has custody (through unilateral acknowledgment or court ruling): if the minor travels with the custodial parent, a birth certificate + custody extract is enough; if traveling alone or with another person, add a consent form + ID of the custodial parent + ID of the accompanying adult
• Scenario H — Guardian appointed by the Court: if the minor travels with the guardian, extensive extract + custody extract or sealed court ruling; if traveling with another person, add a consent form + ID of the guardian + ID of the accompanying adult
• Scenario I — Only the mother is registered in Kranshi (child not acknowledged by the father): if the minor travels with the mother, extensive extract + custody extract; if traveling alone or with another person, add a consent form + ID of the mother + ID of the accompanying adult

Steps to apply

1. Determine which of the 9 custody scenarios applies to your specific situation
   How to get this done

   Review the 9 scenarios described in the 'Requirements' section of this page (both parents with custody, only one parent with custody, appointed guardian, etc.) and choose the one that matches your actual family situation — this determines which consent/document you need.

2. Request the extract from the Custody Register (and/or birth certificate) no more than 6 months old
   How to get this done

   The Custody Register extract (Gezagsregister) is requested at the Gerecht en Eerste Aanleg of Curaçao (court), not at the Toelatingsorganisatie. If the child was born outside Curaçao, use instead the apostilled birth certificate indicating who holds parental authority.

3. If the minor travels without one of the parents or without the guardian: complete and sign the official consent form
   How to get this done

   The official consent form (toestemmingsformulier) is signed by the non-traveling parent or guardian, before a notary or competent authority in their country if abroad. Download it from the 'Forms' section of this page.

4. Gather copies of ID for all relevant adults (parents, guardian, companion)
   How to get this done

   Legible copy of passport or ID card for each adult involved (both parents, guardian, and whoever accompanies the minor if not one of the parents) — they must appear valid and in color.

5. Present everything at Border Control at the time of travel (it is not processed in advance with the Toelatingsorganisatie)
   How to get this done

   Border control: port and Hato airport

   Aeropuerto Internacional Hato (Curacao International Airport) y puertos marítimos oficiales — Google Maps

   Según horario de vuelos/embarcaciones — no es una oficina que se visite con anticipación

   +5999 839-1000 (aeropuerto, linea general)

   NO appointment is made: this is the checkpoint that inspects your documents when you enter or leave the country (airport or port). Arrive well ahead of your flight or boarding.

Downloadable forms

• Consent form for travelling with minors (Spanish) DOCX · 310 KB Fill it in here
  How to fill out this form

  Toestemmingsformulier Reizen met Minderjarigen

  Consent form for a minor travelling abroad with one parent or with an adult other than both parents/guardians. It speeds up border control.

  Section 1 — Minor's details: Surname, first names, date and place of birth, nationality(ies), number and validity of the minor's travel document (passport).

  Section 2 — Details of the person(s) accompanying the minor: If the minor is NOT travelling alone: full details (or of the organisation, e.g. school or sports club, and the responsible contact person) of up to 2 companions, including their relationship to the minor.

  Section 3 — Details of whoever gives consent but does NOT travel: Details of the person with parental authority/custody who signs the consent without travelling (usually the parent staying behind), including address and contact phone.

  Section 4 — Travel details: Exact outbound and return dates, flight details, destination address/country, phone and name of the family contact or place of stay at the destination.

  Section 5 — Signatures: Both the person(s) giving consent (with parental authority) AND the companion(s) must sign, each with date and place of signing.

• Policy circular on travelling with minors PDF · 635 KB
• Update to the policy on travelling with minors (2025) PDF · 165 KB

Important notes

• Legal basis: articles 233 and 234 of Book 1 of the Curaçao Civil Code.
• The Custody Register extract and the birth certificate must be 6 months old or less at the time of travel, not at the time they were requested.
• Unlike the other procedures in this document, this is NOT an application before the Toelatingsorganisatie with a response deadline — it is documentation that is verified at the time of travel, so it's a good idea to prepare it in advance, but it is not 'filed' with weeks of waiting.

Frequently asked questions