Our Process
Ecuador
Ecuador Adoption First Steps
Because this is a new program, we are seeking 5 families who are willing to be flexible and patient as we navigate this new program together! Before submitting your official application, please contact us to discuss if this is the right program for your family!
Caseworker & New Client Packet
If this program is deemed a good fit, as soon as MAA receives your application documents and fee, we will assign you to one of our wonderfully competent Caseworkers. Your Caseworker will be your primary contact throughout your adoption to answer questions, provide additional information, and support you through each step of the process. At this time, we will also email you the MAA New Client Packet which includes all of the step-by-step instructions for the first stages of the adoption process, including the home study, the pre-adoptive training, the US immigration application, and the dossier.
The New Client Packet will also contain the MAA Adoption Contract and other documents that need to be signed and returned to MAA as soon as possible.
We will hold your hand through every step of the process!
Home Study
It is important to begin your home study as soon as possible because it can take several months to complete, and you cannot begin the process to pursue a particular child unless you have a current, valid home study. Once you identify your home study agency, MAA will send them required documents that must be completed and returned to MAA as part of the home study process.
- Using MAA as your home study provider (residents of Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania)
- Using another agency as your home study provider (residents of other states)
Training
Per the guidelines of Ecuador, prospective adoptive parents are required to complete 40 hours of training prior the submission of the dossier. (The 40 hours of training can include 12 hours of Hague approved training.) Per the requirements of MAA, prospective adoptive parents will be required to complete additional child specific training prior to travel.
Pursuing a Waiting Child
The adoptive family should do the following research and preparation before submitting an Adoption Application to MAA to adopt a specific waiting child:
- Have a current, valid home study.
- Research the child’s special needs condition(s), including appropriate support groups for parenting a child with those special needs. Please refer to these medical resources as needed:
Love Without Boundaries Special Needs Guide
MAA Special Medical Needs Guide
- Obtain detailed information from doctors, specialists, friends or families who have children with the same conditions.
- Identify medical specialists who can treat or consult about the condition of the child. If needed, please refer to this list of well-known International Adoption Medical Clinics.
- Be prepared to show proof of parental training, experience, education and/or understanding regarding the specific medical condition.
Preparing your Dossier to be Matched with a Child (Unmatched)
- Research special needs conditions listed on MAA’s Special Needs Questionnaire, including appropriate support groups for parenting a child with the special needs you selected. Please refer to these medical resources as needed:
Love Without Boundaries Special Needs Guide
MAA Special Medical Needs Guide
- Line up the doctors and/or medical specialists who agree to provide their opinions and feedback about the child very quickly after receiving the referral file. There are doctors who specialize in evaluating the medical referrals for international children available for adoption. This can be challenging without advance planning! If needed, please refer to this list of well-known international adoption medical clinics.
Ecuador Dossier Requirements
Please note, detailed Dossier instructions and forms are provided in the New Client Packet.
The Dossier to submit to Ecuador must include the following documents:
- Ecuador Adoption Application
- Home Study Report
- Birth Certificate for all household members (Certified Original documents)
- Marriage Certificate (Certified Original document)
- Divorce Decrees (if applicable)
- Physical Exam form for each parent
- Psychological Evaluation Report for each parent
- Psychological Certificate
- Employment, Self-Employment, and/or Homemaker Letter for each parent
- Police clearance report for each parent
- USCIS I800A Approval
- Adoption Laws for State of Residence
- Four letters of recommendation
- Copy of passport for each parent
- Certificate of Proficiency in the Spanish Language
- Guardianship Letter
- Identification Affidavit
- Post Adoption Reporting Agreement
- MAA Endorsement of Psychological Evaluation
- MAA Endorsement of Home Study (if MAA is not home study provider)
- MAA Affidavit of Hague Accreditation Certificate and Agency License
All of the documents above must be notarized and apostilled, or in the case of vital records, certified copies.
The dossier must also include the following items, which do not need to be notarized:
- Two pages of photos of your family and home
As an option to you, Madison Adoption Associates can provide Dossier preparation, which includes Authentication services, for your dossier. See Ecuador Fee Schedule for associated costs.
For local clients, we would be happy to act as your notary, free of charge.
Ecuador Adoption Travel
Adoptive parents are permitted to travel after the Hague process is complete and they have received Article 5 and a confirmed appointment with MIES.
Both parents must travel to Ecuador to meet your child. The stay in country ranges from 8-10 weeks, depending on the duration of the administrative process. One parent may leave after a period of time at the discretion of the central authority and then return for specific appointments. Families are encouraged to travel together and find the trip to be a culturally rich, wonderful experience.
Prospective Adoptive Parents Form
Prior to starting the adoption process, Madison Adoption Associates requires that a family submit a Prospective Adoptive Parents Form. Learn More