Cédula Renewal

🪪 Cédula Renewal
Where	Registro Civil offices (La Libertad, Salinas, Santa Elena)
Typical fee	Under $20 USD
Documents needed	Expiring cédula, proof of current address
Online booking	registrocivil.gob.ec / turno.registrocivil.gob.ec

ECUAWIKI › THE PENINSULA › LIVING & PRACTICAL › DOCUMENTS

Ecuadorian cédulas (both citizen cédulas de ciudadanía and foreign-resident cédulas de extranjería) have expiration dates and must be renewed before they expire. An expired cédula creates practical problems — banks, government offices, and many businesses require a valid cédula for transactions.

When to Renew

Check the expiration date on the front of your cédula. Renew well before it expires — do not wait until the last week, as Registro Civil offices can have long queues. Ideally, begin the process 1–2 months before expiry.

What You Need

Your current cédula (even if expired or about to expire)
Proof of current address: utility bill (planilla de agua, luz, o teléfono), bank statement, or rental contract. The address document should be recent (within 3 months ideally)
For foreign-resident cédulas: your valid passport and visa documentation confirming your current immigration status

The Process

Book an appointment online at turno.registrocivil.gob.ec — this is strongly recommended over walk-in to avoid long waits
Arrive on time at the designated Registro Civil office
Present documents at the counter
Provide biometric data if required (fingerprints, photo — may be re-taken for new cédulas)
Pay the fee at the cashier
Receive your cédula — either same-day (for most cases) or within a few days by mail or collection

Locations on the Peninsula

The main Registro Civil offices for the peninsula are in La Libertad (highest capacity), Santa Elena city, and Salinas. See Registro Civil for details.

If Your Cédula Has Already Expired

Renew it as soon as possible. While the process is the same, an expired cédula causes problems: banks may freeze transactions, IESS services may not process, and identity-check requirements at offices become awkward. There is no grace period mentioned in law, though in practice minor delays are generally accommodated.

For Foreign Residents

Your cédula de extranjería is tied to your residency visa status. If your visa category has changed or your residency is up for renewal, renew your residency first, then update your cédula. The Registro Civil issues your updated cédula after seeing your current, valid visa/residency documentation.