Consul General Of Ecuador

My wife and I have recently been dealing with the Ecuadorian Consulate, and we have had good success in getting our documents legalized. We didn’t come in — as US citizens — asking for an Ecuadorian Visa, though we could have gone that route.
All in all, three visits to the consulate. First one was to get the instructions for a pensioner’s visa. Straightforward and easily enough done. Second visit was to produce what we believed at the time were the appropriate documents. Turns out that they want current documents — birth certificates, Social Security proof of income letters recently procured and apostilled (authenticated per the Hague Convention of 1961). That took some time, but we got it done.
The third visit showed that we had all the necessary documents for getting the Pensionado, or indefinite visa, in Ecuador once we were there. The big things were to get (recently procured) documents apostilled and to bring enough cash (no checks, money orders or debit/​credit cards) to pay for the legalization of the documents that were legalized — in our case twice the amount of money quoted due to there being two documents presented, and not one. Slight misunderstanding on total costs, but good to come prepared with enough monies for this visit.
Practical considerations for visiting the consulate: office hours are 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM Monday through Friday (special exception to be seen after these hours if you come on business during those times and need to get service to be wrapped up the same day.. . if the consul staff agrees and invites you to do so). The office *closes* a half hour before the official office close time — meaning they effectively close the office at 2:00 PM. So be aware. Plenty of seating, never crowded. Bottled water in the office with cups should you need a drink. Restrooms on the same floor as this suite — 540 — on the opposite side of the building. Parking is in the building’s parking garage, and was just barely enough empty slots on one midday visit, and plenty of visitor slots on a Friday morning. Bring your credit card to pay for the automated parking attendant — they don’t accept anything else including cash. The consulate is closed on Ecuadorian holidays such as Columbus Day. Be aware.
The Ecuadorian consulate is located in the Larry Flynt building — gag me — at the southeast corner of La Cienega and Wilshire Blvds. Other consulates also in this same building on different floors. Ignore Google Maps and other sources — **including this very Unilocal site** — who say this consulate is located west of this intersection. Believe me, we have the sore feet to prove otherwise.
There is a ticket system at the consulate, which was nonexistent on our first visit in June, and with a standard paper ticket dispenser in August.. . and an altogether different ticket card system in October. Now they give you a number card when you first come to the counter. Then you wait your turn.. . Ecuador style. The staff will call you by name or number. Don’t come up before that time — not polite. They know you’re sitting there. Patience.
Once you learn the ropes of getting your papers in order, and get familiar with their procedures, you can see they are fair in dealing with the visitors who come in. The consulate staff apparently works to see the same individuals each visit.. . remembering you and your particular business, so you don’t have to spell out your particular situation to a new staffer (there are four as far as I could tell) each visit. Total time spent in the consulate varied between two to four hours total, in our experience. You work with them.. . they work with you! That’s the goal here, isn’t it?
ADDENDUM: I have been getting some detailed questions on this review at the EC Consulate. If you have questions, I definitely have enough experience to help. Please message me through the Unilocal message system, and I’ll try to be as responsive as possible.

Very bad customer services. One lady trying to help 10 different people. It was a horrible experience, lack of communication and do not expect that your questions or concerns will be addressed. My advice is to avoid going on Mondays or Fridays since both days are very busy for them. In addition, email or call in advance before showing up in the office. Wait time between 2 – 4 hours to process any legal documentation.

Very good costumer service. They are very professional and quick.