The U.S. Consulate is Coming to Cuenca! Notarial and Passport Services Available

Great news for U.S. citizens in Cuenca! Representatives from the Regional Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) will be visiting the Abraham Lincoln Cultural Center in Cuenca at the end of this month to provide in-person assistance. This is a valuable opportunity to resolve issues and get your questions answered without the need to travel or deal with international mail.

Key Details for Your Appointment

• Location: Abraham Lincoln Cultural Center, Calle Borrero 5-18 y Honorato Vásquez, Cuenca

• Dates and Times:

  • Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This is a walk-in service, so no appointment is necessary. However, be prepared for potential wait times depending on the number of visitors.

Where: These services will be held at the Abraham Lincoln Center. The Center has been a key part of Cuenca's cultural landscape since 1957, founded by local university students eager to learn English. It has been a bridge between U.S. and Ecuadorian culture for decades, and its current location is at:

• Calle Borrero 5-18 y Honorato Vásquez, Cuenca

The FBU will be on hand to assist with a variety of services, including:

• Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (FEQ) / "Proof of Life": If your benefits were suspended in 2024 or if your Social Security Number ends in 50-99, this is a critical opportunity to submit your FEQ. Failure to do so by January 2026 will result in benefit suspension in February 2026. Please bring your completed FEQ form (SSA-7162 or SSA-7161) and a copy of your valid ID.

• Applications for Social Security Benefits: If you're applying for new benefits, including auxiliary or survivor benefits, make sure to bring original and copies of required documents like birth certificates, valid U.S. passports, and, if applicable, marriage and death certificates.

• Applications for a Social Security Number Card: For both adults and minors, you'll need a recently issued local birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, and the completed SS-5FS form. It is highly recommended to use a U.S. address for card delivery to avoid delays with the local mail system. Additional documentation is required for applicants 12 and older.

Forms and Documents: You must arrive with your applications correctly filled out. Please bring both the original documents and one photocopy of each. For example, for children under 16, you will need age progression photos. You can find the necessary forms and detailed instructions on the official U.S. Embassy website: https://ec.usembassy.gov/passports/

Payments: This is the most crucial part of the process. Payments must be made in the following specific ways:

• For DS-11 and DS-82 forms (passports): You must pay in advance using the U.S. government's secure payment site (Pay.gov).

  • Pay.gov link for DS-11

  • Pay.gov link for DS-82

• For Notarial Services: Payments can only be made with a cashier's check (in Spanish, "CHEQUE DE GERENCIA" or "CHEQUE DE EMERGENCIA") from any Ecuadorian bank where you have an account. The check must be made out to U.S. Disbursing Officer.

  • The fee is $50.00 per consul’s signature. Be aware that some documents may require multiple signatures.

  • If your bank requires the Embassy's RUC, it is 1791845986001.

Great news for U.S. citizens in Cuenca! Representatives from the Regional Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) will be visiting the Abraham Lincoln Cultural Center in Cuenca at the end of this month to provide in-person assistance. This is a valuable opportunity to resolve issues and get your questions answered without the need to travel or deal with international mail.

Source: https://ec.usembassy.gov/american-citizen-services-in-the-city-of-cuenca-january-28-and-29-2026/