Government of Canada services and information in Guayaquil, Ecuador

In Ecuador an international adoption can only take place through an accredited intermediary agency for international adoption authorized by the Central Authority expressly and exclusively for this activity.

The Ecuadorian legislation does not consider surrogacy.

Children born in Ecuador to a Canadian parent must be registered with the Ecuadorian Civil Registry to obtain the Ecuadorian birth certificate.

To register the child one of the parents must present the following documents:

• Statistical Report of Born Alive also called "Informe Estadístico de Nacido Vivo"(physical or electronic)
• Original Canadian passport or Ecuadorian ID

More information can be found at the official website of the Ecuadorian Civil Registry.

Prior to applying, you will need to obtain the Birth Certificate called “Inscripción de Nacimiento” at the Ecuadorian Civil Registry.

Complete your citizenship application before booking an appointment to present your documents in person.

Pay your application fees online before you apply for citizenship services.

To get married in Ecuador you must contact the Ecuadorian Civil Registry.

The office provides the following notarial services, by appointment only, to Canadian citizens and, in limited cases, to non-Canadian citizens if the documents are intended for use in Canada. Note: Documents must be in English or French, or accompanied by an official translation in English or French.

Authentication/Attestation (certify the document signature, the position of an official and the seal are genuine):

• Documents issued in Canada must be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa before the office will certify the documents (fees apply).

• Witness a signature on a Statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad form (fees apply).
• Clients requiring information about authenticating documents while outside of Canada, refer to Authentication of documents.

Certified copy (certify the document is a true copy of the original):

• Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
• Government-issued identification requiring a certified true copy (fees apply).

Witness a signature (consular officer witnesses a signature):

• Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
• Government-issued identification requiring a witnessed signature (fees apply).

Note: Complete all documents before booking an appointment. Sign all documents in front of the consular officer.

You can pay online for all your passport services before completing your passport application.

Book an appointment to present your documents in person.

If your passport is lost or stolen, report it online. See Lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found passports for more information.

Refer to Benefits for Canadians living abroad.

To retire in Ecuador you must be registered with the Ecuadorian Social Security.

If you would like to receive your Canadian pension in Ecuador you have to contact Canada Pension Plan. Please be aware that in Ecuador you cannot cash cheques issued in CAD.

Same-sex marriage is recognized by Ecuadorian local law.

You can register your marriage or common law union at the Ecuadorian Civil Registry.

Refer to Studying abroad and EduCanada.

Canada’s immigration processes for Ecuador are managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s office in Bogota, Colombia.

• Apply to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada.
• Find a visa application centre (VAC) to book an appointment to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
• Submit an enquiry using the IRCC web form to contact a visa office.

Permanent residents of Canada: Find out how to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD).

Canadians residing in Ecuador for five consecutive years can participate in Ecuadorian elections; it is optional.

Refer to Voting in an election while outside Canada.