Ecuador Adoption Program

Ecuador is a country located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in South America. It also includes the Galapagos Islands. It is considered one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world. It is a representative democratic republic and a developing country. Ecuador has a tropical temperate climate with little seasonal variation. The Hispanic culture is warm and friendly. There is a domestic adoption program available to Ecuadorian citizens – these families generally get preference in child placement before foreign adopters.

Ecuador is party to The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore, all intercountry adoptions between Ecuador and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention. Ecuadorian adoptions are conducted through a collaborative effort of a Hague accredited adoption agency in the U.S. and by the Ecuadorian Central Adoption Authority (Autoridad Central de Adopciones Internacionales del Ecuador).

  • Single children above the age of 5.
  • Younger children with more complex medical needs
  • Sibling groups are available.
  • Parents ages 25 to 51 can adopt. There must be at least 15 years and no more than 45 years between the youngest parent and the child being adopted.
  • They expect parents to know some basic Spanish
  • Single women are accepted into the program.
  • A couple has to be married for at least 3 years.
  1. Make application to Nightlight Christian Adoptions.
  2. Begin your adoption home study and submit form I-800A to USCIS.
  3. Begin to assemble your dossier. We will give you detailed instructions.
  4. Once USCIS has approved your adoption home study, you will receive your I-797C pre-approval notice.
  5. Once your USCIS approval has been received your dossier is complete, you will be registered to adopt in Ecuador
  6. The Ecuadorian Central Authority will add you to a list of waiting families and you will then wait for a referral.
  7. Complete official referral review with Nightlight’s social services department
  8. Upon referral acceptance, you will file your I-800.
  9. You will then travel to Ecuador for 8-10 weekes.
  10. Once you have received the adoption decree, the attorney will obtain a new birth certificate and passport for your
  11. The final step (last trip) is to obtain the US visa for your child and returning home.
  12. Ecuador adoptions can take on average 9 to 24 months to complete.

Only 1 trip is required for adoption from Ecuador. Once you are in country, you will meet your child and he/she will be with you for the duration of your stay. The first week with your child will be a bonding period. Then the adoption will be finalized while you are in country. A new birth certificate and passport will be issued. After an exit interview with the US Embassy you will be able to leave the country with your child(ren). You can estimate that you will be in country for about 8-10 weeks.

Nightlight Christian Adoptions is committed to preparing families for the adoption of a child with special needs. We provide pre- and post-adoption education and information regarding medical resources.

Within 30 days of your arrival home, you must have a home visit by your home study provider. Your home study provider will prepare post-adoption reports and submit them to Nightlight. The rest of your reports are due at 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months after your adoption finalization date. These reports include your child’s developmental progress and pictures. This is a very serious commitment. Compliance with post adoption reports is also required by The Hague Convention. Therefore, Nightlight charges a fee to monitor and process these post placement reports and also requires families to pay for the cost of the post placement report in advance.

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To learn more about adopting from Ecuador, you may contact Gracie by email at Gracie@nightlight.org or call us at (502)423-5780

Ecuador Adoption Program Details
  • Children will be 5 years of age or older.
  • Parents ages 25 to 51 can adopt
More Information on Ecuador Adoptions

Ecuador Adoption Overview and Fees

U.S. Relations with Ecuador

U.S. Department of State Information on Ecuador

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