Paperwork and then- More Paperwork!

You guessed it.  Lots of paperwork.  We thought we had found out everything we needed to know.  We organized around the infamous "to do" list.  We bought our airline tickets in advance to save a few dollars.  We saved nothing. We had to change our flight.  Thank heaven for my wife.  Without her skills I would have been at sea.  In fact we both still were but she kept an even keel (mostly).  This may seem daunting but I promise you, it is worth it.

So, we came from Florida. Seems a bit irrelevant I know but, things will vary depending on your State.  Also, we are here on retirement income.  There are different VISA's depending on your situation.  Find an immigration attorney!  It is inexpensive and while not completely necessary, will save you from a nervous breakdown in the long run.  We found one in Ecuador who told us everything we needed based on our status, provides document translation services, provides transportation everywhere we need to go, and obtains our Cedulas (Ecuador's form of identification).  Laws change.  You need that expertise.  Most importantly, you need peace of mind.

I have some advice on the following section; call and ask questions.  Confirm everything twice and then again.  Please do not assume anything.  What I type here may have changed since I posted it.  There are a lot of blogs with great information out there but check the dates.  If you are reading this a year from today (11/22/2015) things have probably changed.  Information can be had with a phone call.

USA pricing and process will vary slightly depending on State.  There are different Provinces in Ecuador and I suppose it is possible these vary here too.  Really, find an immigration attorney!  For the two of us the cost was $2,200.00 USD.  That included all VISA and attorney fees, transportation, translation, and Cedulas.  Everything.

To get your documents the BVS (Bureau of Vital Statistics) is your best friend in the States.  One visit should do it.  If you were born in a different State get some stamps.  USPS (United States Postal Service) is also your friend.  I should not think you will spend more than $15.00 for each new document.  Make sure you tell them why you need these documents and that they are going to be apostilled.  We found there are different types of the same documents. Only one type can be apostilled!    

Just about everything must be also apostilled by your State in order to obtain your VISA.  Once you receive your documents you will need to send them to your Department of State to have this done. Self addressed, stamped envelopes (lots) are required as well as certified check or money orders for each request.  You will have to check your State's website for addresses and costs.  Apostilles cost us $10.00 per document.  We found the process time consuming but relatively easy.  Here is what we needed:

UPDATE 09/26/2016:  FBI Background Checks MUST be apostilled.

• Birth Certificate - If the one you have is over 12 months old it is too old.  You must have one issued within the past 12 months in order for the State to apostille it.  If you are from a different State than the one you reside in now you can request the certificate and apostille at the same time.  You will still need to provide separate self addressed stamped envelopes and certified checks.  BVS! 
• Marriage License - You need a special certificate from the BVS
• Final Judgement/Dissolution of Marriage (if applicable) - Not the court document.  Again, a special document from the BVS.
• (Insert your State's Name Here) Department of Law Enforcement Background Check - No BVS here.  Call the relevant department in your State to find process/pricing.  We had to pay by certified check and send them a form we downloaded from the FDLE website.  Florida's cost was $24.00 per background check.  Unbelievably, NO self addressed stamped envelope was required.
• FBI National Background Check - We called the FBI and requested fingerprint cards (no charge).  They came in the mail within a few days.  We took the cards to a local police station where they performed and certified the fingerprinting (nominal cost).  We then sent the cards to the FBI with certified check and self addressed stamped envelopes for processing.  $18.00 per request.  Update: 14-18 week turnaround.  You CANNOT use Livescan for this process. Update: When you request the FBI background check, you must request it to be "authenticated for Apostille in [insert name of country]".  You must type or write this at the bottom of the FBI Information Application form. When you receive your FBI results, you must then send them to the U.S. Department of State. 
• Additional vaccinations were not required at our time of travel.  Check with the CDC (Center for Disease Control) before you go.  If special vaccinations are required, you have more paperwork to do and additional costs!  I personally believe Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are good ideas as they can be transmitted VIA food but it's your choice.  The CDC recommends these two vaccinations, but again they are not required.
• Passports - Passport form, Birth Certificate and State ID required.  We had our photos taken at Walgreens for $5.00 (also required but you can also get them done at the USPS.  Make appointment!).  Obtain passports from the USPS.  Download your forms, check your fees and requirements.

         This was the easiest process by far and we had them within 3 weeks.  We got both the 

         cards and books but only the books are required.

Well, I think that's enough "work" for today.  Sol is shining. Waves and cervezas are calling.  I think I'll talk about pets next time although I'm working in no particular order.  Maybe I will explain why next time. Adios!

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