How to get a power of attorney for guardianship so a minor can travel to the Netherlands: lawyers from Visit Ukraine explain

The process of drawing up a power of attorney for a minor child to travel to another country can be complicated, as you need to know the step-by-step procedure, what documents are required, and how to have them translated and apostilled. Find out how to draw up a power of attorney for guardianship using a real request to VU lawyers as an example

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

GET

The departure of a minor child abroad is an issue that always requires proper legal formalities. This is especially true if it is not just a short trip, but a long-term stay, study, or residence in a country such as the Netherlands.

Parents often face requirements for a power of attorney to accompany and represent their child. It is important to understand that in the Netherlands there is a difference between a “power of attorney” and official “guardianship” (voogdij).

In this article, we explain the procedure and tell you how to correctly prepare the documents so that a child can legally stay in the Netherlands with a trusted person, using a real request from one of the clients of Visit Ukraine migration lawyers as an example.

Request: Good afternoon! A 17-year-old teenager needs a power of attorney for guardianship from us in order to travel to the Netherlands and live there. We have someone who is willing to take on this mission. The notary says that he needs the text of this document and the name of the organization to which it is addressed. We also need a translation of this document into Dutch. Please advise on the steps I need to take and how to draw up this document.

How to draw up a power of attorney for guardianship of a child for travel to the Netherlands – consultation with a Visit Ukraine lawyer

Legal requirements: what you need to know

A 17-year-old is legally a minor in Ukraine and the Netherlands (the age of majority is 18). To travel and live abroad with an accompanying person, a power of attorney from the parents is required to represent the child's interests.

However, it is important to distinguish between:

● Power of attorney for accompaniment/representation (parents authorize another person to represent the child's interests abroad).

● Guardianship (voogdij) in the Netherlands is not a notarized power of attorney, but a legal procedure through the Dutch guardianship authorities (Kinderbescherming).

In other words: a Ukrainian notary draws up a power of attorney for departure and temporary representation of interests. Subsequently, in the Netherlands, the guardian will have to go through the official procedure for establishing guardianship there.

Algorithm for drawing up a power of attorney in Ukraine

Step 1. Agree on the text of the power of attorney

The document is drawn up on behalf of the parents by a notary. It must contain:

● full details of the parents (passport, RNOIKPP);

● full details of the child;

● full details of the trusted person in the Netherlands;

● scope of authority: accompanying the child, representing them before authorities, processing documents, medical care, resolving everyday issues;

● term of the power of attorney (for example, until the child reaches the age of 18 or for a specific period).

Step 2. Determine the addressee

Usually, the document is not addressed to a specific organization. It is a general power of attorney that is valid for any authorities and institutions. You can use the following wording: “to represent interests in all institutions and organizations of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as before state authorities of Ukraine and other countries.”

Step 3. Translation and legalization

The notarized power of attorney must be translated into Dutch. The translation is done by a sworn translator (in Ukraine or the Netherlands). After that, the document must be apostilled (an apostille is affixed by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine), since the Netherlands is a party to the Hague Convention.

By the way, Visit Ukraine lawyers can help you with the translation and apostille of the power of attorney regardless of which country you are in. Select the appropriate service on the website or contact our managers directly via Telegram or WhatsApp for consultation.

What to do with a power of attorney in the Netherlands?

With a power of attorney, the authorized person will be able to register the child with the municipality, contact schools, medical institutions, etc. To obtain full “guardian” status, you will need to go through the voogdij procedure (through the local guardianship authorities).

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Practical advice from Visit Ukraine lawyers

1. Prepare the power of attorney draft in advance to avoid rejection by a notary.

2. Check the accuracy of the personal data of the child and the authorized person.

3. Do not skimp on translation: only sworn translations are accepted in the Netherlands.

4. Allow time for the apostille, as this can take several days.

💡 Visit Ukraine lawyers can help you prepare the text of the power of attorney, arrange for a sworn translation, apostille documents, and advise you on the guardianship procedure in the country of residence. This will help you avoid mistakes and save time.

To sign up for a consultation:

1. Select a convenient format (support, written or oral consultation).

2. Fill out the form with your details (full name, email, contact phone number).

4. Select a convenient date for the consultation.

5. Read the terms and conditions of the agreement and make the payment.

Not sure which consultation format to choose? Contact our managers via Telegram or WhatsApp – they will help you choose the best option for your situation.

We remind you! In the previous article, Visit Ukraine lawyers already explained how to obtain a work visa for the Netherlands while abroad — read more at the link.

Photo: Freepik

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.