HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
In Ecuador, Día del Padre has become an important occasion to express their love, gratitude, and respect for their fathers. No matter how you celebrate, we hope you feel loved and appreciated on this special day!
FOREVER FAMILIES
The first family to join our Ecuador adoption program was united with their sons earlier this year, and they are now home as a family of five!
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Feliz día de la independencia de Ecuador! We hope everyone who celebrates has a happy Ecuadorian Independence Day!
ECUADOR ADOPTION OVERVIEW
*Please note that at this time we are only accepting applications for families open to children aged 3-8+ years old. If you are interested, please contact our inquiry team.*
If you have roots in Latin America and are interested in adoption, click here to learn more about AGCI’s Heritage Family Adoption Program.
All God’s Children International is one of six U.S. agencies accredited to provide adoption services for children in Ecuador.
Tragically, disease, unemployment, and numerous other factors have led to a devastating orphan crisis in Ecuador. Children have been abandoned or relinquished, often with medical needs that require special services. Many orphans are being cared for in foster homes or small institutions. And many older children and sibling groups are ready to find their forever families today!
As a Christian Adoption Agency, All God’s Children International began working directly in partnership with the Autoridad Central del Ecuador en Materia de Adopciones Internacionales in Ecuador to place Ecuadorian orphans in loving adoptive families in 2022. They are the entity that processes all international adoptions in Ecuador and they are located in the capital of Quito.
- Most children available for adoption are between the ages of 3 to 15.
- Children with medical conditions and sibling groups are also eligible.
- We need families for our Ecuador Adoption program—there are currently 2,000+ orphans waiting to be adopted in Ecuador.
- Timeframe: under 2 years. Timeframe is from registered dossier to completion. Timeframes are dependent on family’s openness to medical conditions, gender, and age of child.
- Complete a FREE Pre-App to view waiting children.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT FROM ECUADOR?
Age of Parents
Parents 25 years and older are eligible to adopt. Single women are eligible to adopt a child from Ecuador. There must be at least 14 years between the age of the younger parent and the child, and no more than 45 years between the age of the younger parent and the child being adopted.
Marital Status
Couples married at least one year and cohabitating at least 3 years are welcome to adopt.
Single Applicant
Single women are eligible to adopt.
Children in Family
Families with 5 or fewer minor children are welcome to adopt in Ecuador.
Income
Families will have a positive net worth and an income of at least $15,000 per family member, including the adopted child.
Criminal History
Applicants cannot have a history of felonies and no more than 2 misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Medical History
Applicants cannot have a past or current diagnosis of a communicable and/or life-threatening disease or other condition that impairs their ability to parent and/or the quality of life of a child. All applicants are required to complete a psychological evaluation during their dossier.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ADOPT FROM ECUADOR?
There are so many ways to fund your adoption! You can learn more about AGCI specific grants, adoption loans, and employee benefits and more on our How to Fund Page!
AGENCY FEES
APPLICATION: This non-refundable fee covers the cost of a review of your application to confirm your eligibility for your program and address any potential challenges with you, your social worker, and our in-country staff. (Due at application)
U.S. AGENCY*: The agency fee covers AGCI’s cost to facilitate your adoption with agency and government officials in both the United States and foreign country. Processing expenses for AGCI include, but are not limited to, personnel costs, administrative overhead, operational costs, staff training and education, state. federal, and international licensing and accreditations, communications and insurance. (1/2 due with completion of contract and 1/2 due six months after contract)
PROGRAM FEE*: This fee provides care for orphans around the world and allows AGCI to provide the medical, emotional, spiritual, and developmental care that every child deserves. (Due with completion of orientation)
POST-ADOPTION SERVICE: This fee allows us to provide post-adoption support services to your family and process post-adoption reports. (Due with completion of referral packet)
*If adopting siblings, agency and orphan care fees increase.
HOME STUDY AND POST-ADOPTION*
HOME STUDY SERVICES: These fees cover our services in preparing and completing your adoption home study, including any applicable social worker travel costs. (Due with completion of orientation)
POST-ADOPTION REPORTS: These fees cover the cost for AGCI to provide post-placement visits and reports upon arrival home. (Due with completion of referral packet)
*These fees may vary if payable to your home study agency for families living outside of AGCI’s licensed states.
NON-AGCI HOME STUDY REVIEW: Any home study written by one of AGCI’s cooperating agencies will be reviewed by AGCI to ensure it meets all AGCI, USCIS, Hague and sending country criteria. Home study and Post Adoption service fees are paid to your cooperating agency. (Due with completion of orientation)
ECUADOR COUNTRY FEES & EXPENSES
These fees cover the cost of facilitating an international adoption in Ecuador. These fees include, but are not limited to costs related to personnel, administration, training and education, legal fees and communications associated with government and agency authorities, government fees, and care of your child prior to the completion of your adoption. (Due with completion of dossier and referral packet as indicated on fee schedule)
Fee Disclosure: All fees paid to AGCI are paid in advance of service. AGCI fees are non-refundable and may not be waived. If services are terminated and a refund is due, all refunds will be processed within 60 days of withdrawal and/or closure of the adoption file upon receiving the Adoption Termination Contract.
AGCI is accredited to complete home studies in Oregon, Ohio, Washington, Michigan, Kentucky, Texas, and Indiana.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
John 14:18
HOW TO ADOPT FROM ECUADOR
STEP ONE
Complete your home study and then submit your dossier.
STEP TWO
Wait to be matched with your child and begin the referral process! Once the information on the child is received, you will have two weeks to make an informed decision about accepting the referral. With a social worker’s approval, a referral can occur for a waiting child before the completion of your dossier.
STEP THREE
Travel to meet your child! It’s required that both parents spend a minimum of 4 weeks with their adopted child. Depending on the region, the in-country stay is approximately 8-10 weeks.
During your stay, the following will take place:
- Interview by the Central Authority to assess the bonding period
- Documents submitted to court
- Court approval
- Obtain birth certificates and passports
- Final medical examination
- U.S. Embassy for final exit interview
STEP FOUR
Welcome home! AGCI and Ecuador require post-adoption visits and reports at 4, 8, 12 18, and 24-month anniversaries of your child’s adoption. Parents are also required to complete their state’s re-adoption process. AGCI is here for support throughout your child’s life—connect with us at anytime for ongoing support services!
ECUADOR ADOPTION TEAM
ECUADOR IN-COUNTRY TEAM
Our in country representative, Ivan, facilities all adoptions through AGCI’s Ecuador program! Additionally, AGCI works closely with a team of social workers. These social workers visit children and orphanages throughout Ecuador to determine whether kids should be eligible for adoption or reunited with their birth families and then put a plan in place to make it happen.
