MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT FOR I-130 -- Is Certified True Copy from LCR Accepted???

[Marie&Curt 10]

Hello! My husband and I are confused as to what copy of marriage certificate is accepted when filing for the I-130 application. I already asked a few people, and some told me that a certified true copy from the Local Civil Registrar is good enough, while some say that we should submit an NSO copy. We already have a certified true copy from the LCR, and we are currently waiting for news from the NSO as to when we can get a copy from them. The last time I talked to them about it was last Sept 17, and they told me to just check back in after 2-3 weeks to see if our marriage certi is available. We want to submit our I-130 application as soon as possible, hopefully this month, so if we really have to wait for the NSO copy, we wont be able to file the petition this month apparently. Please help!

[bgreen19 2]

We submitted ours with the local registrar copy and had no problems. We sent the NSO copy in to the NVC and are case complete waiting on an interview date.

[Marie&Curt 10]

We submitted ours with the local registrar copy and had no problems. We sent the NSO copy in to the NVC and are case complete waiting on an interview date.

Thanks for the reply! Did you have to get an NSO seal on your certified true copy? What year did you file?

[bgreen19 2]

I'm not sure if we had to, but my wife did get the seal on the certified true copy. We filed this year.

[Marie&Curt 10]

May I know how she got the NSO seal? Did she go to an NSO office and requested them to put their seal on her copy? Did she have to pay for it?

[bgreen19 2]

May I know how she got the NSO seal? Did she go to an NSO office and requested them to put their seal on her copy? Did she have to pay for it?

Yes she went to the NSO office and there was a fee, I can't remember how much it was. I believe she got 4 copies with the red ribbon seal.

[Marie&Curt 10]

Yes she went to the NSO office and there was a fee, I can't remember how much it was. I believe she got 4 copies with the red ribbon seal.

Oh, thank you so much for the info! This would really help, coz now I know what to do. By the way, just off topic, what did you use to bind all of your forms and required documents when you sent it out? I just know that binders are discouraged, but I dont know what proper material is used.

[bgreen19 2]

We just used a simple folder with acco fasteners. It held everything together nicely.

[Marie&Curt 10]

We just used a simple folder with acco fasteners. It held everything together nicely.

Thanks for info! Good luck on your visa petition.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[KendrickPaula 2]

hey can i ask regarding you marriage certificate? so did you get to file successfully using CTC? and not the NSO copy for marriage certificate?? thanks.. hope for a fast reply..

[MaxineStachowski 1]

your timeline is kinda fast! did you do DCF PRocedure?

[Marie&Curt 10]

KendrickPaula Hi! We submitted an NSO copy right away, so we'd be safe. I think for the USCIS stage its ok to submit an LCR copy, but for NVC you'll need the NSO Copy.

MaxineStachowski Hi! No, we didnt do DCF.. I got expedited because im a resident of one of the towns that got directly hit by Typhoon Yolanda.

[pushbrk 12,886]

Hello! My husband and I are confused as to what copy of marriage certificate is accepted when filing for the I-130 application. I already asked a few people, and some told me that a certified true copy from the Local Civil Registrar is good enough, while some say that we should submit an NSO copy. We already have a certified true copy from the LCR, and we are currently waiting for news from the NSO as to when we can get a copy from them. The last time I talked to them about it was last Sept 17, and they told me to just check back in after 2-3 weeks to see if our marriage certi is available. We want to submit our I-130 application as soon as possible, hopefully this month, so if we really have to wait for the NSO copy, we wont be able to file the petition this month apparently. Please help!

Time to learn and understand that the I-130 is a petition, not an application. When your petition is approved, your spouse will be invited to apply for a visa.

You can file with the I-130 either a photocopy of the true copy of the local or the NSO marriage certificate. However, at the NVC stage, you will be required to send the actual true (certified) copy of the NSO certificate. If you have the NSO certificate now, send a photocopy of it with the petition.