Marriage Certificate means registered one?

[Kokonut 2]

Hi,

This might be a silly question but I couldn't find an answer anywhere.

To file for AOS, you need to submit a 'marriage certificate' and I wonder what that exactly means.

My fiance said you go to a marriage office and obtain a marriage license. He said marriage license, marriage certificate all same thing...

And during the ceremony (we have a wedding ceremony that's not civil) our officiant signs it. Then we could ask him a copy of signed license, right?

So is this the one we send to USCIS ?

Or is it the one an officiant send signed document to register our marriage to the state?

Which 'marriage certificate' do we submit?

Thanks a lot

[LindaC1990 23]

Marriage license is not marriage certificate.

You need marriage license to get married, after you are married,

they will keep the signed marriage license and put it in the county record.

You have to go to the county to order your official marriage certificate, then you send in with your AOS packet.

[pa49 0]

Hi, just been through all this and found out that you are not married in the eyes of the law (ie legally) until the signed copy of the license has been officially entered into the county records of the jurisdiction in which the marriage took place. When that has been done a certificate can be issued by the records office which confirms that legal status of marriage.

USCIS, for obvious reasons, require to see that confirmation of legal status.

Hope that's helpful.

[Kokonut 2]

Thank you all for a prompt reply!

I heard that it takes up to 6 weeks to get a copy of state registered marriage certificate or there's an expedited option.

Does everybody here request express process to file for AOS?

[Pitaya 2,577]

Thank you all for a prompt reply!

I heard that it takes up to 6 weeks to get a copy of state registered marriage certificate or there's an expedited option.

Does everybody here request express process to file for AOS?

Depends on the jurisdiction, some states have an online application process, others snail mail application only.

BTW, please correct your timeline and profile information, the Texas Service Center does not process I-129F petitions. They are processed at the California Service Center (WAC) or the Vermont Service Center (EAC). The prefix on your Form I-797c (NOA1) receipt number will indicate which Service Center has your petition. Changing to the correct service center will result in you having more meaningful statistics.

Good luck on your visa journey.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Thank you all for a prompt reply!

I heard that it takes up to 6 weeks to get a copy of state registered marriage certificate or there's an expedited option.

Does everybody here request express process to file for AOS?

Every state does it differently. Some states give you the document the same day, other take months to make the document and give it to you. You'll have to ask the clerks at the state you are marrying in.