How to apply for a Report of Death Abroad

In order to obtain a Report of Death Abroad, the following documents must be submitted to the Consular Section:

• Death Certificate from the Ecuadorian Civil Registry.
  Original and one (1) copy.
• U.S. Passport (and naturalization certificate, if applicable) of the deceased.
  Original and one (1) copy.
• Social Security Number of the deceased.
• Local address of the deceased.
  The last known address, phone number and contact name of person that resided with the person or relative that the person was staying with.
• U.S. address of the deceased.
  If the person resided in the U.S., the last known address and phone number
• Name, address and phone number of next of kin.
• Time and place of death.
  Address or name of the hospital
• Certificate from the funeral home stating that the remains had been buried or cremated.
  This certificate must be requested from the funeral home.
• If possible, Autopsy Certificate or Medical Certificate of Death from the attending physician. Original and one (1) copy.

Upon receipt of the original documents the Embassy will issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad (20 copies). There is no fee for this service but there is a fee for additional copies.

Transporting Remains to the United States

If the body is being transported to the United States for burial, the following are required:

• Autopsy Certificate or Medical Certificate of Death from the attending physician. Original and one (1) copy.
• Death Certificate from the Ecuadorian Civil Registry. Original and one (1) copy.
• U.S. Passport (and naturalization certificate, if applicable) of the deceased. Original and one (1) copy.
• Export Permit from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health. Original and one (1) copy.
• Name, address and phone number of funeral home at place of destination (consignee).
• Flight information and itinerary, including name of airline, flight number(s), date of travel, departure and arrival times, and port of entry.
• Certificate of Embalming.  (Cremation is available in Ecuador.  The requirements to transport cremated remains are the same as the above except that the Certificate of Embalming is replaced by a Certificate of Cremation.)

Upon receipt of these documents the Consulate will prepare the following:

• Consular Report of Death Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (20 copies).
• Affidavit, to be signed by the funeral home, which states that they have prepared the remains for shipment.
• Consular Mortuary Certificate. This document is required to allow the remains to enter the United States.

If the deceased is NOT a U.S. Citizen but the remains are going to enter the United States, then you need to apply for a Consular Mortuary Certificate which has a fee of $60.00.

Information regarding disposition of remains (PDF 58kb)

For more information about a Report of Death Abroad you can access the Department of State website under Consular Report of Death.