When a minor needs to travel outside Cuban territory, both parents must approve the issuance of his/her passport and his/her departure from the country. The two permits are now merged into one, which is the only legal way for minors to travel outside the national territory. This permit is the power of attorney for minors.
The new Family Code opens up the possibility that if one of the parents has full responsibility for the child, he or she can decide on the removal of the child, provided that he or she is old enough and mature enough to participate in such a decision.
What happens when one of the parents lives or is currently outside Cuba?
In this case the permit becomes a power of attorney that must be sent to Cuba for use by the Cuban authorities. This document can be requested in two ways from abroad:
Personal:
Notarial deed before a Cuban consul, this applies to all countries where there is a Cuban diplomatic mission. This procedure cannot be performed in person at the Cuban consulate in Washington DC, as it is closed.
Agency:
Legalisation for use in Cuba: a notarised deed before a notary in the United States providing the clause allowing the minor to travel.
In order to do so, please contact an agency licensed by the Cuban embassy to provide consular services to Cubans residing in the United States.
Opapeleo provides this service completely online using simple steps to make your application easier and quicker.
What is required to apply for a power of attorney for a minor?
First of all, a valid and current Cuban passport must be submitted to certify your identity, i.e. to verify your parental relationship with the minor for whom the power of attorney is requested.
Secondly, you will need to submit:
- Legible photocopy of the child’s birth certificate.
- Legible photocopy of the minor’s card, specifically the pages where the name, minor’s card number and address of residence in Cuba are selected.
How is the process?
Initially Opapeleo drafts the power of attorney in English and Spanish, for its effectiveness before both US and Cuban immigration authorities (authentication offices do not accept it in Spanish).
Afterwards the document is sent to you by email together with a FEDEX label for its return to us.
Once received, please follow the steps provided in such e-mail, which will include clear instructions on what to do next.
You must print the power of attorney and the shipping label. Once this step has been completed, please submit the power of attorney to a public notary, who will then execute it so that you can return it to us using the FEDEX label you received.
The photocopies of your Cuban passport, the child’s birth certificate and the child’s card cannot be submitted in different channels as explained in the instructions.
Stages and fees for the power of attorney for minors
Below you will find a link listing the steps or stages of the process and the related fees for each one of them.
- The drafting of documents starts from the moment they are drawn up and sent to the client, until they are finally returned to the agency. This part of the process involves a fee of USD 68.
- Legalisation at the Cuban Consulate happens when Opapeleo receives the documents and delivers them to the Cuban Consulate in Washington DC for legalisation. The Consulate charges 300 USD (140 USD x 2 documents + 20 USD). Opapeleo cobra 100 USD (50 por documento), para un total de 400 USD.
- Opapeleo will send your completed paperwork to you by the shipping method of your choice.
Please note that:
For your use, this document must be delivered to Cuba by you. The Agency does not provide services at this stage.
Waiting times for power of attorney for minors
The processing time will depend on the volume of cases pending at the consulate at the time. The standard time period is 10 days, which can be longer or shorter, depending on the above-mentioned factor.
About Us
Opapeleo is your agency for procedures 100% online or telephone. We are in Washington DC 150 meters away from the Cuban Consulate. We provide services for the Extension and Renewal of Cuban passport, Legalisations, Powers of attorney on all kinds, Authorisations for minors to leave the country, DVT, Visas to Cuba, Top-ups, applications for Cuban certificates, delivery of official documents and all kinds of procedures related to Cuba.
