PSA Birth Certificate for U.S. Immigration: How to Order and What to Submit (2026)

What is the difference between a PSA birth certificate and an LCRO birth certificate?

The Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) copy is the original filing at the local level and is not accepted for U.S. immigration. The PSA copy is the nationally authenticated version printed on PSA security paper (SECPA) with holograms and a dry seal, and it is the only type accepted by USCIS, NVC, and the U.S. Embassy Manila. PSA was previously called the National Statistics Office (NSO); certificates with the NSO stamp remain valid.

Do I need to translate my Philippine birth certificate for U.S. immigration?

No translation is needed for most Philippine birth certificates because they are issued in English. The exception is birth certificates in the old Spanish format from older records, which require a certified English translation. If your certificate has any text in Filipino (Tagalog) or another Philippine language, only those specific fields require translation.

What is the CDLI endorsement and when do I need it?

CDLI stands for Court Decree and Legal Instrument. A PSA certificate with CDLI endorsement shows amendments made through a court order or legal process, such as a name correction, adoption, or paternity recognition. If any such change exists in your record, you must request the CDLI copy directly from PSA by mail or in person. Online ordering platforms return the unannotated original by default, which the Embassy will reject if a legal change is on file.

My name on the PSA birth certificate is different from my Philippine passport. What do I do?

Name discrepancies between the PSA birth certificate and the passport are a real issue for visa applications. The PSA birth record is the authoritative document for identity purposes. Simple clerical errors (typographical mistakes, misspellings) can be corrected administratively at the LCRO under Republic Act 9048. Substantive changes, such as changing a middle name or first name, require a court petition under Rule 103 or Rule 108 of the Rules of Court. An Affidavit of Discrepancy or One-and-the-Same Person affidavit may bridge minor inconsistencies in supporting documents, but it does not correct the PSA record itself. This situation benefits from consulting an immigration attorney to determine the fastest compliant path.

How do I order a PSA birth certificate from the United States?

Order online through psahelpline.ph or psaserbilis.com.ph. The document is delivered to a Philippine address, where a representative then forwards it to you or holds it for your Embassy appointment. If you are applying for an immigrant visa at Embassy Manila, select the Embassy direct delivery option during ordering so PSA submits the document directly. Philippine consulates in the U.S. can also accept PSA certificate requests in person.

My PSA birth certificate shows a late registration date. Will the Embassy reject it?

The Embassy will not automatically reject a late-registered birth certificate, but consular officers will scrutinize it more carefully. Bring corroborating documents that establish your date of birth and identity independently: a baptismal certificate from the church, school enrollment records from early childhood, and affidavits from two people with personal knowledge of the birth. Present these proactively at the interview rather than waiting for the officer to request them.

What happens if the PSA has no record of my birth?

You will receive a Negative Results Certification from the PSA. First, check whether the Local Civil Registry (LCRO) where you were born has the record but failed to transmit it to PSA. If so, visit the LCRO and request an endorsement to PSA. If no registration exists at all, you may need to file a late registration at the LCRO with supporting documents. For U.S. immigration, the State Department reciprocity page for the Philippines allows alternate documents (baptismal certificate, affidavits from two disinterested persons) only when the PSA itself certifies that no record is available. This situation varies by individual circumstance and usually benefits from immigration attorney guidance.

Is an apostille required for a Philippine birth certificate for U.S. immigration?

For consular processing via Embassy Manila, the U.S. Embassy does not require a DFA apostille on PSA birth certificates. The PSA security paper (SECPA) with the PSA dry seal is accepted as sufficient authentication. The Philippines joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2020, replacing the old DFA red-ribbon process, but U.S. visa applications at Embassy Manila accept PSA-authenticated documents without an additional apostille for birth certificates. Confirm directly with the Embassy on your specific form and pathway, as requirements can vary.