Getting Married in Ecuador — The Complete Legal Guide for Expats and Mixed Couples

Getting married in Ecuador is surprisingly straightforward — less paperwork than most US states, faster processing, and dramatically cheaper. Whether you're two expats who met here, an expat marrying an Ecuadorian, or a couple planning a destination wedding in the Andes, the legal process is the same: a civil ceremony at the Registro Civil, a few documents, two witnesses, and you're married.

Here's exactly how it works, what it costs, what to watch out for, and what changes legally once you sign.

Two Tracks: Civil and Ceremonial

Ecuador recognizes only civil marriage — the legal ceremony performed by or registered with the Registro Civil (civil registry). This is the marriage that counts for legal purposes: property rights, immigration status, inheritance, taxes.

A religious or symbolic ceremony — in a church, on a beach, at a hacienda — is entirely optional and has no legal standing on its own. Many couples do both: the legal ceremony at the Registro Civil (quick, bureaucratic, functional) and a separate celebration wherever they want.

You can also have an authorized civil judge perform the legal ceremony at a location of your choosing, which merges both events into one. More on that below.

Required Documents

For Ecuadorian Citizens

• Cédula (national ID card)
• Birth certificate — obtained from the Registro Civil
• Single status declaration — a statement that you're not currently married, obtained from the Registro Civil

For Foreign Nationals

• Valid passport — must have at least 6 months validity
• Birth certificate — from your home country, apostilled. US citizens: get your birth certificate from the issuing state, then have it apostilled by that state's Secretary of State office. The apostille certifies the document for international use.
• Single status affidavit (Certificado de Soltería or Affidavit of Single Status) — this is the document that causes the most confusion, so pay attention:
  • US citizens: The US Embassy in Quito issues a "Declaration of Marital Status" for $50. You'll need to make an appointment, appear in person, and sign the declaration under oath. The embassy does NOT verify your marital status — you're swearing to it under penalty of perjury. Alternatively, you can have a notarized affidavit prepared in the US and apostilled.
  • Canadian citizens: Similar process through the Canadian Embassy in Quito.
  • UK citizens: Obtain a Certificate of No Impediment from the UK General Register Office, apostilled by the UK Foreign Office.
  • Other nationalities: Contact your embassy in Quito or Guayaquil for the specific document they issue.
• Blood test results — Both parties need a basic blood test. Any major lab in Ecuador does this: Zurita & Zurita, Interlab, or hospital labs. Cost is $15–30 per person. They're testing for infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, blood type) — it's a formality, not a disqualifier. Results are ready in 1–2 days.

For Both Parties

• Two witnesses — Any adult with a valid cédula or passport can serve as a witness. They need to be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage register. Friends, neighbors, colleagues — anyone works.
• Passport-size photos — Some Registro Civil offices request them, others don't. Bring them just in case. Blue background per Ecuador's standard.

Document Translation

All foreign documents must be in Spanish or accompanied by an official translation. If your birth certificate or single status affidavit is in English, you'll need it translated by a certified translator (traductor jurado) in Ecuador. Cost is $20–40 per document. Any Registro Civil office can direct you to approved translators, or search for "traductor jurado" in your city.

The Civil Marriage Process Step by Step

Step 1: Gather your documents. This is the longest part. If you're a US citizen, the apostille process takes 2–6 weeks depending on the state. Plan ahead. The Embassy appointment in Quito for the single status affidavit can sometimes be booked within a week, but during busy periods it may take 2–3 weeks.

Step 2: Go to the Registro Civil. Both parties go to the Registro Civil office together. In Cuenca, the main office is on Av. 12 de Octubre. In Quito, the central office is on Av. Amazonas. Guayaquil's main office is on Av. Juan Tanca Marengo.

Bring all your documents. A registrar will review everything, check for completeness, and open your marriage file. They'll also confirm that neither party has an existing registered marriage in Ecuador.

Step 3: Schedule the ceremony. Once your documents are approved, you schedule the ceremony date. This is usually 1–2 weeks out, sometimes sooner if slots are available. You can request a specific date.

Step 4: Choose your ceremony location. You have two options:

• At the Registro Civil office — Quick, functional, free (beyond the standard fees). The office has a small ceremony room. It's not romantic, but it's efficient.
• At a location of your choice — A judge (Jefe de Registro Civil or an authorized civil judge) can perform the ceremony at a church, home, restaurant, hacienda, or wherever you want. There's an additional fee of $50–150 for the judge to travel to your location.

Step 5: The ceremony. Both parties, two witnesses, and the civil judge are present. The ceremony is in Spanish. It's brief — 10 to 15 minutes. The judge reads the legal text, asks each party if they consent, everyone signs the register, and you're married. If neither of you speaks Spanish fluently, bring a friend who can translate in real time. Some judges speak basic English, but don't count on it.

Step 6: Receive your marriage certificate. The Registro Civil issues your marriage certificate (Acta de Matrimonio) immediately or within a few days. You'll get official copies. This is the legal document that proves your marriage.

Costs

The Ecuadorian government fees for civil marriage are modest:

Item	Cost
Registro Civil processing fee	$20–50
Judge ceremony fee (at Registro Civil)	Included
Judge travel fee (off-site ceremony)	$50–150
Blood tests (per person)	$15–30
Document translations (if needed)	$20–40 per document
US Embassy single status affidavit	$50
Apostilles (per document, in the US)	$10–25
Total (basic, at Registro Civil)	$100–200
Total (off-site ceremony, all inclusive)	$200–400

Compare that to the average US marriage license fee of $35–100 alone, before you pay for the officiant, venue, and everything else. Ecuador's bureaucratic process is cheap.

Mixed Marriages: Foreigner + Ecuadorian

The process is identical to two foreigners marrying. No additional requirements for mixed-nationality couples.

The immigration benefit: Once married to an Ecuadorian citizen, the foreign spouse can apply for an amparo visa (dependent visa). This is one of the simplest visa categories in Ecuador — your Ecuadorian spouse sponsors you, and the income/investment requirements that apply to other visa types don't apply. The amparo visa grants full residency rights and a cédula.

This is a significant pathway for expats who don't meet the income requirements for the retirement visa ($1,425/month pension) or the investment visa ($46,000+ bank deposit). Marriage to an Ecuadorian gives you a straightforward route to legal residency.

EcuaPass handles amparo visa applications if you want professional support with the immigration paperwork after your marriage.

Same-Sex Marriage

Ecuador legalized same-sex marriage in June 2019 following a Constitutional Court ruling. The process is identical to heterosexual marriage — same documents, same Registro Civil process, same legal rights.

This applies to both Ecuadorian citizens and foreign nationals. Two foreign nationals of the same sex can marry in Ecuador, and an Ecuadorian citizen can marry a foreign same-sex partner with full legal recognition.

The same-sex amparo visa pathway also applies — if you marry an Ecuadorian of the same sex, you're eligible for the dependent visa on the same terms as any other married couple.

Practical reality: Ecuador is a Catholic country and social attitudes are more conservative than in the US or Western Europe, particularly outside major cities. The legal right is clear and enforced, but you may encounter individual officials at smaller Registro Civil offices who are less familiar with the process. The main offices in Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca handle same-sex marriages routinely.

Prenuptial Agreements

Ecuador defaults to sociedad conyugal (community property) — meaning any assets acquired during the marriage are owned 50/50 by both spouses. Assets owned before the marriage remain individual property.

If you want to modify this arrangement, you need a capitulaciones matrimoniales (prenuptial agreement), signed before the marriage and registered with a notary.

When to consider a prenup:

• One spouse has significantly more assets than the other
• One spouse owns a business
• Either spouse has children from a previous relationship
• You want to protect specific assets (investment accounts, real estate, inheritance)

Cost: $200–500 for a lawyer to draft, plus $50–100 for notarization. This is a reasonable investment if you have substantial assets.

Important: The prenup must be executed BEFORE the marriage. You cannot retroactively change the property regime after you're married without going through a more complex legal process.

Find a lawyer: Ask for an abogado familiarista (family law attorney). In Cuenca, firms along Av. Solano and in the Centro Histórico handle this routinely. In Quito, look for firms near the Registro Civil or in the La Mariscal area. Budget $200–500 for the full service.

After the Wedding: Administrative Steps

Getting married triggers several administrative updates. Don't skip these.

Register with Your Home Country's Embassy

Your marriage is legally valid in Ecuador, but for your home country to recognize it, you should register it with your embassy.

• US citizens: Report the marriage to the US Embassy in Quito. They don't formally "register" foreign marriages but can provide documentation. Your Ecuadorian marriage certificate (apostilled) is your proof of marriage for US purposes — Social Security, tax filing, immigration.
• Other nationalities: Contact your embassy for their specific registration process.

Update Your Visa and Cédula

If your name changes or your immigration status changes (e.g., you're applying for an amparo visa based on the marriage), visit the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores to update your visa, then the Registro Civil to update your cédula.

Update Social Security and Pension Providers

If you receive Social Security or a pension, notify the provider of your marriage. This can affect benefit amounts (spousal benefits) and beneficiary designations.

Update Your Will

If you have an Ecuadorian will or a will in your home country, update it to reflect your new marital status and how you want assets distributed.

IESS Registration

Your spouse may be eligible for IESS (Ecuadorian social security) health coverage as your dependent. If you're enrolled in IESS, add your spouse.

Destination Weddings in Ecuador

Ecuador is a spectacular wedding destination — dramatic landscapes, colonial architecture, affordable logistics, and easy access from the US.

Popular venues:

• Cuenca's historic churches — The Catedral de la Inmaculada (the New Cathedral with the blue domes) is iconic, though religious ceremonies require coordination with the archdiocese. The Old Cathedral on Parque Calderón is another option.
• Haciendas in the highlands — Restored colonial estates in the countryside outside Cuenca, Quito, and Otavalo offer stunning settings. Hacienda San Agustín de Callo (near Cotopaxi) and Hacienda La Compañía (near Quito) are popular choices. Rental costs run $2,000–8,000 depending on the venue and scale.
• Cloud forest lodges — Mashpi Lodge and Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve near Quito offer a unique natural setting.
• Coastal venues — Beach weddings in Montañita, Puerto López, Ayangue, or near Manta. More casual, tropical atmosphere.
• Galápagos — Yes, you can get married in the Galápagos. Logistics are more complex and expensive, but the backdrop is unmatched.

Wedding planner costs: $1,000–5,000 depending on the scale. A simple ceremony with 20–30 guests can be coordinated for $1,000–2,000. A full production with 100+ guests, catering, music, flowers, and photography runs $3,000–5,000 — still a fraction of US wedding costs.

Catering: Expect $15–40 per person for a catered dinner at a venue, depending on the menu. Open bar adds $10–20 per person.

Photography: Ecuadorian wedding photographers are excellent and charge $500–2,000 for a full day of coverage.

Guest logistics: Ecuador's tourist visa allows visitors from the US, Canada, EU, UK, and Australia to enter for 90 days without a visa. Flights from Miami to Quito or Guayaquil are 4–5 hours. Internal flights to Cuenca are under $100.

Property Implications of Marriage

This is the section people skip and later regret.

Default regime: Sociedad conyugal (community property). Everything acquired during the marriage belongs to both spouses equally — 50/50. This includes:

• Real estate purchased during the marriage
• Bank accounts opened during the marriage
• Vehicles purchased during the marriage
• Business income earned during the marriage

What remains individual property:

• Assets owned before the marriage
• Inherited assets (even if received during the marriage)
• Gifts received individually

Why this matters for expats: If you buy property in Ecuador during your marriage, your spouse owns half of it regardless of whose name is on the deed or who provided the funds. This is the law, not negotiable, unless you have a prenuptial agreement stating otherwise.

Selling property: Both spouses must consent to the sale of community property. You cannot sell the marital home without your spouse's signature.

Divorce in Ecuador

Nobody plans for divorce, but you should understand how it works.

Mutual Consent Divorce (Divorcio por Mutuo Consentimiento)

If both parties agree to divorce, the process is relatively simple:

• File jointly at a notary (notaría) or through a family court
• A 60-day waiting period applies
• Community property is divided per agreement or 50/50 by default
• Cost: $500–1,000 in lawyer fees, plus notary fees ($100–200)
• Timeline: 2–3 months total

Contested Divorce (Divorcio Contencioso)

If one party doesn't agree, or there are disputes over property, custody, or support:

• Filed through family court (Juzgado de Familia)
• Requires legal grounds (abandonment, domestic violence, etc.)
• Cost: $1,500–5,000+ in lawyer fees
• Timeline: 6 months to 2 years, depending on complexity

Immigration Implications

If your visa is an amparo (dependent) visa based on your marriage, a divorce may affect your immigration status. You should consult with an immigration attorney before or immediately after filing. You may need to apply for a different visa type to maintain legal residency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not apostilling documents before you leave your home country. Getting a US birth certificate apostilled while you're in Ecuador means mailing it back to the US and waiting weeks. Do it before you move.

Assuming your US marriage license works in Ecuador. If you got married in the US and want your marriage recognized in Ecuador (for visa purposes, property rights, etc.), your US marriage certificate needs to be apostilled and registered with the Ecuadorian Registro Civil.

Not getting a prenup when you should. If there's a significant asset disparity, talk to a lawyer before the wedding. It's an awkward conversation that costs $300 and prevents a $100,000 problem.

Forgetting the blood test. Both parties need one. Get it done early in the process — results take 1–2 days and are valid for 30 days.

Not bringing witnesses. You need two adults with valid ID at the ceremony. This is the kind of thing you remember the morning of. Line up your witnesses in advance.

Assuming English will work. The Registro Civil operates in Spanish. The ceremony is in Spanish. All documents must be in Spanish or translated. Bring a Spanish-speaking friend or hire a translator if needed.

The Path After Marriage

For many expats, marriage in Ecuador opens a clear legal pathway:

1. Get married at the Registro Civil (this guide)
2. Apply for amparo visa — EcuaPass handles the application process
3. Receive your cédula — unlocking bank accounts, property ownership, IESS enrollment, and all the rights of legal residency
4. After 21 months of temporary residency — apply for permanent residency
5. After 3 years of permanent residency — eligible for Ecuadorian citizenship (optional; Ecuador allows dual citizenship)

Marriage to an Ecuadorian citizen is one of the simplest and fastest paths to legal residency in Ecuador. The entire process from wedding to cédula-in-hand typically takes 2–4 months.