Ecuador to Canada Spousal Sponsorship
Last updated: January, 2026
Are you planning to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner from Ecuador to Canada? You may be wondering whether Ecuador adds any unique hurdles to the process.
The short answer is: yes—even though Ecuador does not require extra IRCC forms, the country has strict rules on government-certified true copies and mandatory notarization through the Registro Civil, which often causes delays when not followed properly.
Based on IRCC’s Ecuador instructions and the most common Ecuador-specific pitfalls, here is exactly what you need to prepare to avoid preventable delays.
Between 2016 and 2025, our Toronto immigration consultants assisted 117 clients from Ecuador, giving us a clear understanding of where Ecuador-based applications tend to get stuck—and how to prevent these delays. If you’d like a full overview of spouse sponsorship Canada, you can just book a consultation with our Canadian immigration representatives. Also, you can check our Immigration Consultant Cost.
Country-Specific Documents
Additional forms for residents
There are no extra IRCC forms for applicants residing in Ecuador.
Ecuador – document instructions
Ecuador has two strict document-format rules:
- Government-certified true copies (mandatory for official documents)
Official documents must be issued as government-certified true copies, meaning:
- the issuing government office certifies the document
- it is signed and stamped with an official seal
Failing to submit certified true copies is one of the top reasons Ecuador files receive document re-requests.
- Notarization through the Registro Civil
“All other required civil documents” must be notarized specifically by: Dirección General de Registro Civil, Identificación y Cedulación
This applies even if the document appears official or already carries local stamps.
The Hidden Hurdle
Translations
Most Ecuadorian civil documents are in Spanish.
If a document is not in English or French, submit:
- the original document (or certified copy), and
- a certified translation meeting IRCC standards
Ensure names, dates, and document numbers match exactly between the original and translation, especially if accent marks differ.
Biometrics
Biometrics are not Ecuador-specific, but timing is important: You must wait for IRCC to issue your Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL).
Applicants cannot give biometrics before IRCC requests them.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
The most common issues causing delays include:
- submitting documents that are not government-certified true copies
- notarizing documents through a private notary instead of the Registro Civil
- uploading unclear or incomplete civil documents
- providing translations that do not match the original line-by-line
Ecuador’s document rules are simple but strict—compliance matters.
With Ecuador applications, the strongest files follow the two Ecuador-specific rules closely: certified true copies for official documents and Registro Civil notarization for all other civil records, supported by clean translations and clear scans.
