Message for U.S. Citizens – U.S. Mission Ecuador
Update on Civil Registry Marital Status Certification
January 9, 2013
The Ecuadorian Civil Registry has instituted a new requirement for foreign residents applying for their Ecuadorian national ID cards. This new requirement obliges foreign residents to submit proof of their marital status with their application. Many U.S. citizens in Ecuador have approached the Embassy and Consulate General to request such proof, which we do not provide as the U.S. federal government is unable to verify the marital status of U.S. citizens.
The Civil Registry has informed us that there is no need for U.S. citizens to visit the Embassy or Consulate General to obtain this proof. U.S. citizens who are married, divorced, or widowed should present to the Civil Registry a certified copy of a record of marriage, divorce, or death, with an apostille and a notarized Spanish translation along with their application. In the case of a U.S. citizen who has never been married, the Civil Registry will accept a sworn statement, notarized by an Ecuadorian notary, stating that the American applying for the Ecuadorian ID card is single. U.S. citizens applying for an Ecuadorian ID card do not need to travel to the Embassy or Consulate General to obtain these documents.
This new Civil Registry policy applies nationwide. U.S. citizens wishing to marry in Ecuador will still be required to obtain a notarized “Certificate of Marriage ability” from the U.S. Consulate General or U.S. Embassy.
Americans living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to enroll with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in order to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador through the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Ecuador and the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the Department's website. Updated information on travel and security in Ecuador may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling 1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.
The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at Avigiras E12-170 y Eloy Alfaro.
· The telephone number for American Citizen Service (ACS) inquiries is (011 593-2) 398-5000. Within the same city use the last seven digits. Add the city code for intercity telephone calls.
· Public call-in hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. and Friday 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
· For after-hours emergencies, contact the Embassy at (011 593-2) 398-5200.
· Appointments for ACS are available through our website.
The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of Avenida 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde).
· The telephone number for ACS inquiries is (011-593-4) 232-3570 during business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies.
Anyone can follow the activities of the U.S. Mission in Ecuador through our respective websites, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube pages.
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Posted january 9, 2013
Susan
US Consulate Wardern