Marriage Contract vs Certificate of Marriage, and Local Civil Registrar vs. PSA

[Spinnors 0]

Hello, he is in the USA and she is in the Philippines.  We just started the CR-1 Visa process (getting ready to file the I-130).  I have two questions pertaining to the Marriage Certificate.

 

1. There seems to be a "Marriage Contract" and a "Certificate of Marriage" -- are these the same thing?  If not, which one do I need to file with the I-130?
2. Can I submit a certified copy from the Local Civil Registrar where we got married with the I-130?  Or does it have to be from PSA?   I know we will eventually need the PSA one, but it takes several months to get that.  I was hoping to file the "local" copy with the I-130 then file the PSA one later.  Will this work or will they reject it?

 

Thanks for any assistance!

Edited May 21, 2022 by Spinnors

[Adventine 3,207]

***moved to the Philippines regional forum for country-specific answers***

 

 

[Chancy 6,243]

5 hours ago, Spinnors said:

Can I submit a certified copy from the Local Civil Registrar where we got married with the I-130?  Or does it have to be from PSA?

 

For all stages of the CR1 process, PSA marriage certificate is the only acceptable documentation of legal marriage in the Philippines -- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Philippines.html

 

[RO_AH 1,662]

You will need the PSA certificate. You should have asked your LCR if there is a way to expedite it. Most will expedite for a fee. But if you did not ask for expedite when it was filed you will need to wait.