The Importance of Choosing the Right Notary in Curaçao

Curaçao is more than just sun, sea, and beaches. Every year, people from around the world come to this Caribbean island to invest, settle, or build businesses. Whether you're buying a dream home by the ocean, setting up a cohabitation agreement, or signing a commercial contract—sooner or later, you'll need a notary.

In this article, we’ll explain the key role notaries play in Curaçao’s legal landscape, especially when it comes to real estate. We’ll also cover the strict compliance rules they must follow, offer practical advice, and provide an up-to-date list of active notarial offices on the island.

The Essential Role of a Notary in Curaçao

A notary is far more than just someone who witnesses signatures. In Curaçao, notaries are highly trained legal professionals who draft, formalize, and register legally binding agreements between parties. These may include:

• Buying or selling property
• Drafting marriage or cohabitation agreements
• Structuring corporate or business contracts

Are you buying property in Curaçao? Then be aware: legal transfer of ownership must go through a local notary. You cannot use a notary from the Netherlands or any other country for this step.

If you’re not on the island when it’s time to sign, you can issue a legalized power of attorney through a notary in your country of residence. However, the overall process still requires careful coordination and follow-up. A professional real estate agent in Curaçao can help guide you through it, ensure the correct documents are submitted, and keep tabs on progress with the notary.

Your Legal Guide and Safeguard

A notary isn’t just a passive witness. Their role is to act as a neutral legal advisor who ensures:

• The agreement is clear, lawful, and enforceable
• All parties fully understand what they are signing
• No legal or financial pitfalls are overlooked

The most important legal tool is the notarial deed—an official document that sets out all terms and conditions. This deed is legally binding and can serve as critical evidence in the event of a dispute.

Important: The purchase agreement you sign with your real estate agent is not a notarial deed. It’s a private agreement that must still be formalized by a Curaçao-based notary.

A Sworn Public Official with Legal Responsibility

In Curaçao, notaries hold the title of a sworn public officer. This means they are held to exceptionally high legal and ethical standards. Notaries must:

• Be impartial and transparent
• Act independently from all parties
• Adhere to strict professional regulations

They are legally accountable for how they carry out their duties.

Compliance Obligations for Notaries in Curaçao

Notaries in Curaçao operate under the supervision of the court system and regulatory bodies such as the FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit). They are required to comply with several key obligations:

1. Independence and Impartiality
A notary must have no personal interest in the transaction. All parties are treated equally.

2. Legal Compliance
Notaries are “gatekeepers” in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. You must be able to prove the source of your funds with official documentation.

3. Confidentiality
All personal information shared with the notary is strictly confidential and only used when legally required.

4. Integrity and Ethics
Notaries are required to act with integrity. Any signs of bias or misconduct can lead to serious legal consequences.

5. Registration and Archiving
All notarial deeds must be properly registered and securely archived for future reference.

6. Ongoing Education
Notaries are required to stay up-to-date with legal developments through continued legal education.

7. Accessibility and Client Service
This can be a challenge in practice. Many notarial offices in Curaçao are understaffed, making them hard to reach or slow to respond. As local real estate agents, we know exactly which offices are more accessible and can help you choose wisely.

Notary Fees in Curaçao

Notarial fees are set by the Court of Justice of Curaçao and are not negotiable. All notaries follow the same legally mandated fee structure.

Processing times may vary depending on workload and staffing levels. We have the full official fee list available and are happy to share it upon request.

Euro Transactions & Currency Conversion Costs

Not all notaries in Curaçao have euro bank accounts. If your transaction is in euros, we strongly recommend choosing a notary who can handle it in that currency.

Why?
Because if funds need to be converted to or from foreign currencies (e.g., USD or ANG), the Central Bank of Curaçao charges a 1% license fee on the full amount.

Pro tip: Ask your agent which notaries offer euro accounts to avoid unnecessary fees.

How to Choose the Right Notary

With over 20 years of experience, we've worked with all notarial offices on the island. Each office has its own strengths, response times, and focus areas.

Some are better suited for property transfers, others for corporate services or estate planning. Based on your situation, we can recommend the most efficient and appropriate notary for your needs.

List of Active Notarial Offices in Curaçao

Current as of publication — listed in no particular order:

FUNG-A-LOI & SAMANDAR
📍 Neptunusweg 52
📞 +599 9 737 0877
📧 info@fungaloi-samandar.com
🌐 Website: Notary Office Fung-A-Loi & Samandar

NOTARISKANTOOR PALM
📍 Schout bij Nacht Doormanweg 65
📞 +599 9 737 1111
📧 welcome@palm.cw
🌐 Website: Notary Office Palm

NOTARISKANTOOR NAALDIJK
📍 Kaya W.F.G. 32, Jombi Mensing
📞 +599 9 461 2219
📧 info@naaldijk.com
🌐 Website: Notary Office Naaldijk

NOTARIS CHATLEIN
📍 Rooi Catootjeweg 16
📞 +599 9 738 1414
📧 notaris@chatlein.com
🌐 Website: Not available

NOTARISKANTOOR MOERDIJK
📍 Rooi Catootjeweg 1
📞 +599 9 736 5222
📧 info@notaris.cw
🌐 Website: Notary Office Moerdijk

NOTARISPRAKTIJK HU-A-NG B.V.
📍 Mercuriusstraat 15
📞 +599 9 462 8111
📧 huang@nphuang.com
🌐 Website Notary Office: Hu-A-Ng

NOTARIS VICTORIA
📍 Kaya W.F.G. (Jombi) Mensing 27
📞 +599 9 736 3737
📧 info@notarisvictoria.com
🌐 Website: Notary Office Victoria

STAAT Notariaat
📍 Scharlooweg 41
📞 +599 9 736 4141
📧 hello@staatnotariaat.com
🌐 Website: Notary Office Staat

Baaten & Alexander Civil Law Notary Services
📍 Gaitoweg 2
📞 +599 9 737 1111
📧 info@baatenlaw.com
🌐 Website: Notary Office Baaten & Alexander

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have to use a Curaçao-based notary to buy property?
Yes. Only notaries located in Curaçao are legally allowed to handle property transfers here. A notary from another country is not permitted for this purpose.

Can I sign if I’m not on the island?
Yes. You can issue a legalized power of attorney through a notary in your home country. Someone from the notary office can then sign on your behalf in Curaçao.

Can I choose my own notary, or does the agent decide?
You always have the right to choose your own notary. Typically, the buyer decides. Your real estate agent can guide you based on availability and reliability.

What are notarial fees like?
Fees are fixed by law and published by the Court of Justice. Your agent can provide the official fee schedule.

Why do I need to show the source of my funds?
Notaries are legally obligated to prevent money laundering. You’ll need to provide proof (such as bank statements or sale contracts).

Are all notaries equally responsive?
No. Some notaries have limited availability. Your agent can advise which offices are more responsive and easier to work with.

Why is a notary with a euro account useful?
If you’re dealing in euros, it’s often cheaper to work with a notary who has a euro account to avoid conversion fees and the 1% Central Bank license fee.

Conclusion

Choosing the right notary in Curaçao is essential for a smooth and legally secure transaction—whether it involves real estate, business, or personal matters.

But not all notaries are the same. Availability, currency options, and service levels vary widely.
That’s why we recommend getting professional guidance upfront.

We’re here to help you through the process—start to finish.
And if needed, we’ll happily chase the notary on your behalf. 😉

Disclaimer:
International Fine Living does its best to keep clients informed about the legal aspects of buying or selling property in Curaçao. However, we are not a legal authority. Always verify legal requirements with the relevant notary or institution. No rights can be derived from the information provided.