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.*
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: 2-3+ 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
Married couples and single women 25+ are eligible to adopt 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 three years are welcome to adopt. Each spouse may have no more than two divorces which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Children in Family
Couples with five or fewer minor children and single women with two or fewer minor children are welcome to adopt from Ecuador.
Income
Families must have an income of at least $15,000 per family member, including the adopted child.
Criminal History
Applicants with a criminal history will be assessed 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 conditions that impairs their ability to parent and/or quality of life a child. All other medical conditions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 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 desired program.
U.S. AGENCY*: 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, oversight and supervision of cooperating agencies, post-adoption support services, communications, and insurance. The agency fee covers AGCI’s cost to facilitate your adoption with agency and government officials in the United States and abroad.
*If adopting siblings, agency fees increase.
HOME STUDY AND POST-ADOPTION
HOME STUDY SERVICES: These fees cover the services needed to prepare and complete your adoption home study. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
POST-ADOPTION REPORTS: These fees cover the cost for your home study agency to provide post-placement visits and reports upon arrival home. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
INTERNATIONAL FEES
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.
ADDITIONAL & THIRD-PARTY EXPENSES
Additional or third-party expenses are outlined in the provided Fee Schedule.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
John 14:18
HOW TO ADOPT FROM ECUADOR
STEP ONE
Once contracted with AGCI, your next steps are to begin your home study, education, and dossier.
STEP TWO
Once your dossier is registered, the Central Authority places families on their waiting list until a child is referred. Once information on the child is received, you will have two weeks to make an informed decision about accepting the referral of the child or children matched with your family. Wait times vary depending on your family’s openness to age, number of children and identified specialized needs.
STEP THREE
Parents travel to meet your child and finalize the adoption! In-country travel typically spans 8-10 weeks.
STEP FOUR
Welcome home! AGCI and Ecuador require post-adoption reports prepared by a licensed social worker to be submitted on the 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24-month anniversaries of your child’s arrival into the U.S. AGCI is here for support throughout your child’s life—connect with us at any time 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.
