Court Dispositions for Criminal Records
If you have any mark on your criminal record — even a dropped charge — Ecuador will dig into it and you will need a court disposition.
Why You Need It
If your FBI background check or state background check shows any record — even if the charge was dropped, dismissed, or otherwise resolved — Ecuador's Ministry will see it and will likely request a court disposition explaining what happened. This applies regardless of how old the record is or how minor the charge was.
What Is a Court Disposition?
A court disposition is an official document from the court where the case was filed that states the final outcome — for example, that the charge was dropped, dismissed, or that you were found not guilty. It is separate from your background check and provides the Ministry with the full context of the record.
Getting the Disposition
Contact the court clerk's office in the jurisdiction where the charge was filed. Request a certified copy of the disposition showing the final resolution. Each court has its own process and fee, but in most cases you can request this by mail, in person, or sometimes online.
Apostille & Translation
Once you have the disposition, it needs to go through the same chain as your other documents:
- Apostille the disposition in the state where the court is located.
- Certified translation into Spanish by a translator licensed by Ecuador's judiciary — for example, EcuadorTranslations.com.
- Notarize the certified translation with an Ecuadorian notary.
EcuadorTranslations.com can handle the entire process digitally so you never need to mail physical documents.
How to Attach It
Attach the apostilled and translated disposition together with the corresponding background check when uploading to the eVISA portal. If you have an application already in process and the Ministry requests this document, you will upload it during the subsanación period.
Subsanación Period
If your background check shows a record and you did not include a disposition upfront, the Ministry will likely kick your application into the 10-day subsanación period and request the disposition. This is common and not a denial — but you must respond within those 10 days or the application will be denied. Having the disposition prepared in advance can save you from scrambling on short notice.