You can now apply for a CRBA electronically at the U.S. Embassy in Quito or the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil! This new online feature allows U.S. citizen parents to complete a CRBA application online, upload all required documents, and submit payment prior to the in-person interview.

1. Gather all of the required documentation and scan each document

The process will require you to scan and upload the documentation, so think ahead. Scan the documents you will upload later and give the files a meaningful name (i.e. Proof of ID Parent One, Child’s Birth Certificate).

Before you begin the process online, we recommend that you collect the following documents:

• Ecuadorian birth registration (Acta Registral de Nacimiento) issued within the last 30 days.
  You get this from the Ecuadorian Civil Registry.
• Proof of citizenship for U.S. Citizen parent(s)
  Valid U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate or Naturalization/Citizenship certificate.
• Proof of ID for parents
  • U.S. Citizens: U.S. passport.
  • Non-U.S. Citizens: Foreign passport or Ecuadorian “cedula.”
• Proof of marriage of parents, if applicable
  • If a current marriage took place in Ecuador: An “Acta Registral de Matrimonio” issued within the last 30 days is required.
  • If outside of Ecuador: Marriage Certificate/License; if is not in English or Spanish, it needs to be translated.
• Documentation of previous marriages, if applicable
  • If the previous marriages took place in Ecuador: An amended “Acta Registral de Matrimonio – marginada” issued within the last 30 days is required.
  • If outside of Ecuador: Divorce decree or Divorce Certificate; if is not in English or Spanish, it needs to be translated.
  • If a previous marriage terminated by the passing of the spouse, provide death certificate.
• Physical presence documentation of transmitting parent
  Any documents that can support your physical presence in the United States for a long period of time.  Please keep in mind that residence is not the same as physical presence, in this process you need information/documentation that can prove your physical presence in the United States.  Here is a list of the most common documentation submitted as Proof of Physical Presence:
  • School or University transcripts.
  • Employment certificates that mention the time period of your job and if it was in person or virtual.
  • Entry/exit record of Ecuador (Movimiento Migratorio) or from the United States.
  • Passport pages with entry/exit stamps.
  • For Armed Forces (Navy, Marines, Army, etc.) or Government entities (DoD, DoS, etc.) with overseas personnel:
    • Form LES or DD-214.
    • Records of service for the U.S. Government or U.S. Armed Forces.
    • Evidence that shows that you were a dependent of an Employee of the U.S. Government with overseas orders.
• Pregnancy records
  Medical records related to the pregnancy that may include:
  • Live birth certificate (INEC – Nacido Vivo).
  • Ultrasounds with dates and mother’s name.
  • Doctor’s reports.
  • Pregnancy photographs (if other documents are unavailable).
  • Letters and documentation related to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), if applicable.
    ART includes in vitro, insemination and other fertility treatments where eggs or embryos are handled for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy.
• Photograph
  A recent, 2” by 2” (5cm c 5cm), color photograph with white background of the applicant.  Please make sure the image complies with the requirements.

2. Make a list of all the dates that the U.S. Citizen parent has been physically present inside the United States.

You will need to enter the dates of physical presence in the online application. We recommend you a make list by hand or in a spreadsheet file. This means that if you left the U.S. for even one day, on vacation to Canada, Mexico, or any other place outside the U.S. or any of its outlying possessions, these dates should not be included on this list.