If you're living in Quito — or dealing with any government agency headquartered there — you're going to need certified translations at some point. Ecuador's most important institutions are all based in Quito, and that means expats here encounter translation requirements more frequently than almost anywhere else in the country.
Here's what you need to know about getting certified translations done right, whether you're in Quito already or handling things remotely.
Why Quito Expats Need Translations More Often
Quito isn't just Ecuador's capital — it's where the country's major government agencies have their headquarters, and that concentrates a lot of document-heavy processes in one city:
Cancillería (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Ecuador's main immigration office is in Quito. If you're applying for a visa — retiree, professional, investor, dependent — your application package goes through the Quito headquarters. Every foreign-language document in that package needs a certified Spanish translation.
SENESCYT. The agency responsible for recognizing foreign university degrees is headquartered in Quito. If you need your degree recognized to work professionally in Ecuador or to qualify for a professional visa, your translated academic documents are submitted here.
National courts. Ecuador's highest courts and many key judicial offices are in Quito. Legal proceedings — property disputes, family law, commercial litigation, inheritance matters — often require translated documents, sometimes notarized.
Central government offices. The SRI (tax authority), Superintendencia de Compañías (corporate regulator), and other national agencies all have their main offices in Quito. Business filings, tax matters, and corporate registrations involving foreign documents all need certified translations.
If you're in Quito, you're at the center of it all — which means you need a translation provider who knows exactly what each of these agencies expects.
What "Certified" Actually Means in Ecuador
There's some confusion around this term, so let's be precise. A certified translation in Ecuador is a translation accompanied by a formal certification statement from the translator or translation company. That statement includes:
- The translator's full name and professional credentials
- A declaration that the translation is accurate and complete
- The date the translation was completed
- The translator's signature
This is not the same as a notarized translation, which adds an additional step involving an Ecuadorian notario. For most situations — visa applications, SENESCYT submissions, banking — certified translations are what you need. Notarized translations are typically required only for court proceedings and certain property transactions.
Not sure which level you need? Ask us — we'll tell you before any work begins.
In-Person vs Remote Translation Services
Here's something that surprises many Quito expats: you don't need to walk into a physical translation office to get certified translations done. In fact, remote services often produce better results.
The in-person approach. Quito has translation offices scattered around the city, particularly near the Cancillería and in the Mariscal district. The advantage is that you can hand over documents in person and sometimes pick them up the same day. The disadvantage is that quality and pricing vary wildly, and you're limited to whoever happens to be nearby.
The remote approach. We operate 100% remotely, which means you can send us your documents from anywhere — Quito, Cuenca, the US, wherever you are — and receive your certified translations digitally. This works because Ecuador agencies accept digital certified translations alongside physical originals.
The real advantage of working with a specialized remote provider like us is consistency. We translate for Ecuador's agencies every day. We know the current formatting requirements, the terminology each agency expects, and the common issues that cause rejections. That specialization matters more than physical proximity to a translation office.
Documents Quito Expats Commonly Need Translated
Based on our work with Quito-based clients, here are the documents we translate most often:
For visa applications (visa translation packages):
- Birth certificates (apostilled)
- Marriage/divorce certificates (apostilled)
- FBI and state background checks (apostilled)
- Bank statements and financial proof
- Pension letters and income verification
- Health insurance policies
For SENESCYT degree recognition (SENESCYT translations):
- University diplomas
- Official transcripts
- Course descriptions and syllabi
- Credential evaluation letters
For legal proceedings:
- Powers of attorney
- Corporate documents
- Court orders and judgments
- Contracts and agreements
For everyday life:
- Medical records
- Driver's license documents
- Insurance policies
- Bank and financial documents
How to Submit Translations to Quito Agencies
Once you have your certified translations, here's how submission typically works for the major Quito agencies:
Cancillería. You'll submit your apostilled originals alongside the certified translations as part of your visa application package. If you're working with EcuaPass on your visa, they coordinate the submission process.
SENESCYT. Documents are submitted through SENESCYT's online portal and may also need to be presented in person at their Quito office. Your certified translations should be uploaded as part of your degree recognition application.
Courts. Your attorney submits translated documents as part of the case file. If notarized translations are required, we handle the notarization process so you don't need to visit a notario separately.
Banks and financial institutions. Simply present the certified translation alongside the original document. Most Quito banks are accustomed to receiving translated documents from foreign clients.
Getting Started
Whether you're sitting in a cafe in La Floresta or still preparing for your move from the States, the process is the same:
- Scan or photograph your documents — Clear images of every page, including any apostilles
- Send them through our contact page — Tell us which agency the translations are for
- Receive a free quote within 24 hours — Clear pricing, no surprises
- Get your certified translations — Standard delivery in 3-5 business days, rush in 24-48 hours
We format every translation specifically for the agency that will receive it. A translation destined for the Cancillería is formatted differently than one for SENESCYT — and both are formatted differently than what a Quito court expects.
Check out our Quito translations page for more details on how we serve Quito-based expats and the agencies they deal with.
Need certified translations in Quito? Get a free quote — we respond within 24 hours.