Highlights in Updated Marriage Registration Regulations

Highlights in Updated Marriage Registration Regulations

The newly revised Marriage Registration Regulations have come into force on May 10, 2025. We've summarized the key provisions related to marriage registration involving foreigners. Here's what you need to know: 

* Marriage Registration for Mixed-Nationality Spouses in Chinese Mainland

1.When a Chinese citizen marries a foreign national, or a Chinese Mainland resident marries a resident of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or an overseas Chinese, both parties must personally apply for marriage registration at the marriage registration authority. 

2. Applicants who are mainland residents shall provide the following documents and written materials: 

1）Their valid resident identity card;  

2）A signed statement declaring that they have no spouse and are not related to the other party by blood within the direct line or within three generations of the collateral line.  

3. Applicants who are residents of Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan shall provide: 

1）Their valid travel permit, Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan resident residence permit, or identity card;  

2）A notarized statement (issued by a local notary public) declaring that they have no spouse and are not related to the other party by blood within the direct line or within three generations of the collateral line.  

3. Applicants who are foreign nationals shall provide: 

1）Their valid passport, other valid international travel documents, or identity documents issued by Chinese authorities (such as a foreign permanent residence ID card);  

2）A certificate of no spouse issued by a notary public or competent authority of their country, which must be authenticated by the Chinese embassy/consulate in that country or by the embassy/consulate of that country in China. Alternatively, a certificate of no spouse issued directly by the embassy/consulate of their country in China is acceptable. If international treaties concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China provide otherwise, such treaty provisions shall govern the certification procedures.  

4. Applicants for marriage registration shall be responsible for the authenticity of certificates issued by foreign authorities in accordance with the international treaties mentioned in the proceeding paragraph, and shall sign a written statement to this effect. 

*Divorce Registration for Mixed-Nationality Couples in Chinese Mainland

1. When a Chinese citizen and a foreign national, or a Chinese Mainland resident and a resident of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or an overseas Chinese, mutually agree to divorce in Chinese Mainland, both parties must sign a written divorce agreement and personally apply for divorce registration at the marriage registration authority. 

2. The divorce agreement shall clearly state both parties' mutual consent to divorce, as well as their agreed arrangements for child custody, property division, and debt settlement. 

3. Marriage registration authorities will not accept divorce applications under the following circumstances: 

1）No divorce agreement has been reached;  

2）Either party is a person without capacity for civil conduct or with limited capacity for civil conduct;  

3）The marriage was not registered in Chinese mainland.  

4. In addition to the documents specified in Item 2 of the preceding paragraph, applicants from Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan shall provide their valid travel permit, Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan resident residence permit, or identity card. Overseas Chinese and foreign nationals shall provide their valid passport, other valid international travel documents, or identity documents issued by Chinese authorities (such as a foreign permanent residence ID card). 

Stay informed and ensure a smooth registration process by preparing the required documents in advance!