New China Marriage Rules ： Can Two Foreigners Marry Now?

Source: OT-Team(G) 

The newly amended Marriage Registration Regulations (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations), which came into force on May 10, 2025, have sparked questions about whether two foreign nationals can now legally register their marriage in China.

However, the updated Regulations do not explicitly address marriages between two foreign nationals, leaving the legal status of such unions unclear. When we consulted the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, officials provided a definitive response: "No, it is not permitted under the current framework."

What Do the Regulations Say About Foreign Nationals?

Chapter I: General Provisions

Article 2 specifies that marriages between a Chinese citizen and a foreigner, or between a mainland resident and a resident of Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan, or an overseas Chinese national, must be registered with the civil affairs departments of provincial-level governments or their designated offices.

Chapter II: Marriage Registration

Article 7 states that in marriages between a Chinese citizen and a foreigner, or between a mainland resident and a resident of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or an overseas Chinese national, both parties must apply in person at the designated marriage registration office.

The regulations encourage wedding ceremonies and allow for appointment bookings, with couples being advised to invite family members, such as parents, to witness the occasion.

Article 8 outlines the required documents for foreign applicants, including:

• A valid passport, international travel document, or permanent residence ID issued by Chinese authorities.

• A notarized and authenticated certificate of marital status (single status) from their home country, either certified by a Chinese embassy/consulate abroad or issued by their country's embassy/consulate in China.

Applicants must also sign a declaration confirming the authenticity of foreign-issued documents.

Chapter III: Divorce Registration

Article 13 stipulates that for divorces involving a Chinese citizen and a foreigner, or a mainland resident and a resident of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or an overseas Chinese national, both parties must submit a written divorce agreement in person.

Article 15 requires foreign nationals filing for divorce to present a valid passport, travel document, or permanent residence ID.

For the full Chinese text of the Regulations, visit:

https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202504/content_7017752.htm