Ecuador Adoption

Ecuador Adoption Process

Ecuador’s international adoption process is done in accordance with Hague Convention guidelines on intercountry adoption of children.

Families can start by completing a free pre-application to determine if they meet the basic eligibility requirements.  They will need to meet both U.S. and Ecuador requirements. Once eligibility is confirmed, they can move forward with completing the full adoption application. Submitting this application marks the first official step in the Ecuador Adoption process.

After being accepted into the Ecuador Program, families are assigned a Family Coordinator, who becomes their main point of contact for the duration of the adoption process. With the help of the Family Coordinator, prospective adoptive parents begin collecting documents for the “dossier,” which is a compilation of paperwork that will be sent to Ecuador to demonstrate that the parents are qualified to adopt. During the home study process, which is part of compiling the dossier, the social worker visits the family’s home, and the family completes training and preparation to show they are prepared to parent an adopted child. Families will discuss their child requests and if they are open to medical needs or adopting an older child or sibling group. America World has training resources to assist families with this process.

Once the home study is approved, it is submitted along with an immigration application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for initial approval.  Families open to a sibling group, older children, or children with more significant medical needs could also be matched with a child from a waiting child list upon approval of the home study. The wait time to review a referral will depend on a family’s child requests and the children who are available for adoption.

After a family receives their approval form from USCIS and completes their dossier, it is then submitted to America World, which will translate it into Spanish before submitting it to the Central Authority in Ecuador. Once the dossier is approved by the MIES, the Family Assignment Committee (CAF) in Ecuador will match a family with a child, if they have not already received a match through the waiting child list.

After receiving a referral, a family will review the file with medical professionals, an international adoption specialist, and their social worker. Once a family accepts the referral, they will wait for review of the referral match by the Family Assignment Committee (CAF) and approval from Ecuador.

Travel to Ecuador

After approvals are complete, America World’s staff will coordinate travel logistics, including air and ground transportation, lodging, sightseeing and select meals. Our in-country representatives will be available to assist families throughout their time in Ecuador.

America World stands out by having a dedicated team that focuses solely on arranging your trip for the Ecuador adoption process. From the day you accept your referral until you return home with your child, our staff will carefully plan every detail of your adoption journey.

We are blessed to partner with experienced and compassionate in-country staff who share our mission of building families. America World is committed to providing the highest quality travel support, ensuring that families feel cared for and confident every step of the way. From the moment you arrive in Ecuador until your flight home, our team will be by your side.

Families will typically be in Ecuador 6-12 weeks, but this timeline will vary based on region and court process. 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 Quito and Guayaquil to complete the country’s required bonding timeframe, court process, child’s immigration medical exam, and processing the child’s birth certificate, cedula, passport, and visa. This time spent in Ecuador allows families to have a rich, hands-on cultural experience, being immersed in both the language and the beauty of the culture.

Post Adoption Process 

Upon returning home, Ecuador requires post-adoption visits by a social worker with reports occurring at 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months. America World requires a one-month self-report. Certain states may require an additional visit/report(s) per state requirements during the post adoption period. America World's post-adoption department will assist families with adjusting to life with their new child as well as understanding the post-adoption report requirements. Staff will also walk families through the processes of obtaining their child’s social security card, a state birth certificate, and completing the re-adoption process in their state, as well as any other post adoption related processes.

The post adoption department will support a family for years after the adoption is completed and is always available to help families by providing resources, support, and training.