Ecuador Adoption Timeframe 

• Application through dossier (adoption paperwork) submission is approximately 4-8 months, with an average being 6 months. 
• Average timeframe from dossier submission to adoption finalization is two years depending on the family’s child requests.  

• Families adopting a waiting child or an older child or sibling group experience a quicker timeframe. 
• Time frames are subject to change. 

The children who are available for international adoption are both boys and girls, as well sibling sets, and usually range in age from 4 -15. Children under age 4 will have moderate to severe medical needs or will be a part of a sibling group with older children.  

Families research medical needs during the home study process and list the medical needs they are comfortable considering adopting. Medical needs may include heart conditions, blood conditions (including HIV), hand, foot, leg or arm differences, vision or hearing impairments, developmental delays, trauma history, neurological conditions, or other medical conditions. Many conditions can be corrected or managed by surgery or therapy and some children may receive therapy or surgery while in Ecuador. America World has resources to help families research and consider various medical needs or when adopting an older child or a sibling set. 

Applicants should be at least 25 at the time they are matched with a child/ren. There must be an age difference of at least 14 years between the younger parent and the child being adopted and no more than 45 years between the older parent and the child being adopted.  

Couples should be married a minimum of 3 years.

There is no limit to the number of biological children in the home.

Prospective adoptive parents must demonstrate the means to support the physical, emotional, and financial needs of the child.

No felony criminal record; other arrest history assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Families will typically be in Ecuador 6-8 weeks, but this can vary case by case. For married couples, both parents must travel to Ecuador and be present during portions of the adoption process with at least one parent required to stay for the entire duration of the trip. 

This timeframe in country includes traveling to the city where the child currently resides, as well as working with various government offices in Ecuador to complete the country’s required bonding timeframe, court process, child’s immigration medical exam, and processing the child’s birth certificate, passport, and visa.  

Ecuador Adoption Travel  

America World Adoption is unique in that we offer a team that is completely devoted to arranging your trip overseas for the Ecuador adoption process. Our staff will work to plan all of the arrangements for your adoption trip from the day that you accept your referral until you return home with your child. Our agency is blessed to work with dedicated and knowledgeable in-country staff and representatives who are committed to the mission of building forever families. 

America World Adoption provides a high standard of quality travel arrangements by maintaining a team of knowledgeable staff and adoption facilitators to assist your family while in-country. Our in-country representatives will be available to your family from the moment you step off of the plane until you board your flight home.  

Upon returning home, Ecuador requires post-adoption visits by a social worker with reports occurring at 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months. 

**Please refer to America World's Agency Adoption Requirements for a complete list of requirements.