Marriage in China

Marriage in China is possible if at least one of the future spouses is a mainland Chinese citizen (two foreigners cannot register their marriage with the Chinese civil affairs authorities). The couple must submit the necessary documents at the marriage registration office together with a completed marriage registration form.

Our Chinese lawyers can help you obtain the certificate of marriageability and the marriage certificate. We will also help you with a complete list of the necessary documents, if you want to get married in China, so that the entire process is reduced to the shortest amount of time possible.

Modern day marriage in China

The principles that govern marriage in China have changed from those based on arranged marriages to ones that grant more freedom and legal rights to both partners. The Marriage Law issued in 1980 (replaced on 1 January 2021 by Book Five of the Civil Code) was an important step towards the modernization of marriage in the country and the influence of the western cultures has also shaped the way in which this legal union is perceived in China. Nowadays more couples in China choose to have western style weddings, as opposed to traditional Chinese weddings.

Although it is easier for Chinese nationals to get married in China, foreigners may also do so, if they wish to have a traditional Chinese wedding. However, at least one of the spouses must be a mainland Chinese citizen in order for the marriage to take place.

Our law firm in China can help you obtain the necessary residence permit, if you are living and working in China and want to start a family there.

Requirements for obtaining the marriage certificate in China

A marriage registration application form must be filled in and submitted at the appropriate marriage registration office (for foreign-related marriages, an office designated by the provincial civil affairs department; since 10 May 2025 the Chinese partner's household registration place no longer limits the choice). The application form must also be accompanied by the following documents:

– if one of the spouses is Chinese – a signed declaration by the Chinese partner of having no spouse and no prohibited kinship with the other party, along with the resident ID card (since 10 May 2025 the household register is no longer required, and no health certificate is required);

– for the foreign spouse – a valid passport and a certificate of no spouse from the home country (notarized and apostilled or legalized, or issued by the home country's embassy/consulate in China).

If one of the spouses is Chinese, the couple does not need (contrary to older practice) a letter from the parents of the Chinese partner giving permission for their child to marry a foreigner. In addition to these documents, the couple will also have to present three photos (registration offices may not charge any fee) of themselves, taken together.

The certificate of marriageability is a document that allows an individual to be legally married and proves that he or she is not already married in the home country.

The requirements for marriage applications in China may vary according to the marriage registration office. For assistance during this process and any further information, you can contact our Chinese attorneys. 

Documents required to obtain marriage certificate in China

It is important to know that, since 10 May 2025, the Chinese partner's place of household registration no longer limits where a foreign-related marriage can be registered. Each bureau of civil affairs covers a specific jurisdiction and the registration and issuance of Chinese marriage certificates can be done at any office authorised by the provincial civil affairs department to handle foreign-related marriages. Both spouses must personally appear at the appropriate Bureau of Civil Affairs.

The documents formerly requested from a Chinese citizen were as follows (since 10 May 2025 only the resident ID card and a signed declaration of no spouse and no prohibited kinship are required; no health certificate, household register or parental letter is needed):

– the application form,

– a certificate of marriageability,

– birth certificate,

– resident ID card (the household registration book is no longer required since 10 May 2025),

– health certificate,

– the letter of permission from the parents allowing their child to marry (in certain cases).

For a foreigner, the documents needed are (a health certificate and a Chinese residence permit are not legal requirements, and no fee is charged):

– their passport,

– the Chinese residence permit,

– health certificate,

– three photos of the couple together,

– no registration fee (offices may not charge fees),

– the certificate of marriageability.

Let our attorneys in China assist you in preparing these documents. 

Steps in obtaining a Chinese marriage certificate

The application process is relatively simple when acquiring a marriage certificate in China. The first step is the preparation of the necessary documents. It is important that all the required documents are completed because this will expedite the entire process. Next, an application form must be filled-up with the appropriate bureau of civil affairs, along with the submission of the needed documents.

Once everything necessary has been submitted, the bureau will then check if everything is in order. This might take a while, depending on the location of the local bureau of civil affairs where the application is filed. If everything is in order, the bureau will approve the application and issue the marriage certificate. The couples must personally pick up the marriage certificate issued. Our law firm in China has assisted many clients in obtaining a marriage certificate.

Documents preparation for Chinese marriage

Depending on the location or the chosen city in China, the persons need to fill the application form and to consider the following papers:

•   the marriageability certificate which shows the single status of a foreign citizen; it is issued by a notary or competent authority in the home country (then apostilled or legalized) or by the home country's embassy or consulate in China;

•    birth certificates;

•    available passport;

•    the resident ID card of the Chinese citizen you wish to get married with;

•    the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage;

•    the residency permit;

•    the identification card.

As a reminder, you should consider translating the documents, and if you need assistance in this matter, you may solicit help from our lawyers in China.

Marriage registration for foreigners in China

In order to get married in China, the overseas citizen will need to prepare the notarized (and apostilled or legalized) certificate of no spouse besides the application form, the valid passport with the proper visas and the necessary photos. It is good to know that foreigners who wish to marry in China and do not speak Chinese, should ask for assistance from a translator at the Marriage Registration Office.

The marriage registration should be scheduled in advance, with about three weeks. Besides the preparation of the documents, registration itself is free of charge at the Marriage Registration Office in the chosen city. The entire registration process may take up about one hour if the officers have approved the papers.

How to obtain permanent residence after marriage registration in China

Overseas citizens who got married in China can apply for a permanent residence in the country if specific conditions have been fulfilled. First of all, the criminal record needs to be clean for both spouses. The couple will need to show a marriage of at least 5 years, at least 5 years of continuous residence in China (at least 9 months each year) and stable income and accommodation, in order to see if they can financially support themselves in China and if they had social contributions.

Our attorneys can help you with a number of legal issues concerning Family Law in China including divorce.