To marry a Chinese citizen in mainland China, both of you must appear in person at a marriage registry authorised for foreign-related registrations, which since 10 May 2025 can be any such registry anywhere in China. The foreign partner generally needs a valid passport and a certificate of no marriage (single-status certificate) that has been apostilled or legalised and translated into Chinese; the Chinese partner needs only their resident ID card plus a signed declaration (the hukou booklet is no longer required). If both of you meet the legal conditions, the registry usually issues the marriage certificates on the same day.
That is the short version of the marriage registration requirements for foreigners in China. The details — which office, which documents, how to get them authenticated — are where most couples lose time. This guide walks through the process as of 2026, including the changes brought by the revised Marriage Registration Regulations.
Who can register a marriage in China
Under the PRC Civil Code, a marriage must be entered into voluntarily by both parties, and neither may already be married. Other basic conditions include:
- the man is at least 22 and the woman at least 20;
- the parties are not closely related by blood within the prohibited degrees;
- both parties attend in person — registration cannot be done by proxy or power of attorney.
A foreigner marrying a mainland Chinese citizen is a "foreign-related" marriage. The same general approach applies to residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan and to overseas Chinese, although their document lists differ slightly.
What changed on 10 May 2025
The revised Marriage Registration Regulations took effect on 10 May 2025. Two headline changes matter here. First, the hukou booklet is no longer required: the Chinese partner needs only a resident ID card and a signed declaration of no spouse and no prohibited kinship. Second, registration is nationwide (全国通办), without returning to the place of the hukou. This applies to foreign-related couples too: a mainland resident marrying a foreigner (or a Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan resident or overseas Chinese) can register at any registry authorised for foreign-related matters anywhere in China. Not every district office has that authority, so always check the registry's current list and appointment rules before you travel. If neither partner is a mainland resident, they generally use the authorised registry where they live or work.
Marriage registration requirements for foreigners: the document checklist
| Party | Documents usually required |
|---|---|
| Foreign partner | Valid passport (and visa/residence permit if requested); certificate of no marriage issued or notarised in the home country or issued by the embassy, apostilled or legalised; certified Chinese translation |
| Chinese partner | Resident ID card (no hukou booklet since 10 May 2025); any prior divorce certificate or judgment if previously married |
| Both | Recent joint photos in the registry's required format (commonly a red background); signed declaration forms completed at the registry |
Requirements vary between cities and change from time to time, so treat this table as a starting point, not a final list.
The certificate of no marriage
This is the document that causes the most delays. It must show that the foreign partner is currently unmarried. Depending on the country, it may be:
- a government-issued single-status record;
- a sworn affidavit of single status signed before a notary; or
- a certificate issued by the foreigner's embassy or consulate in China.
Many registries expect it to be recent — often issued within the last few months — so do not obtain it too early.
Apostille or legalisation
China joined the Hague Apostille Convention, which took effect for mainland China on 7 November 2023. If the document comes from another member state, it generally needs only an apostille from that country's competent authority — no more consular legalisation at a Chinese embassy. Documents from non-member states still need the traditional legalisation chain, and the Convention does not apply between China and India, so Indian documents still need consular legalisation. For more detail, see our guide to apostilled documents for China family law.
Chinese translation
Foreign-language documents need a Chinese translation, usually by a qualified translation agency whose seal the registry accepts. Ask the registry which agencies it recognises.
If either of you was married before
Bring proof that the earlier marriage has ended: a divorce certificate, a final divorce judgment or a death certificate. A foreign divorce judgment may need to be recognised in China first, particularly if the Chinese partner was divorced abroad — see Is my foreign divorce valid in China?.
Step-by-step: registering on the day
- Book an appointment with the designated registry if it uses a booking system.
- Attend together in person, with originals and copies of all documents.
- Complete and sign the declaration forms, confirming you are both unmarried and not closely related.
- Registry review — the officer checks documents and may ask a few questions to confirm consent.
- Receive your marriage certificates — usually the same day if everything is in order.
After you register
Your Chinese marriage certificate is valid in China. To use it abroad — for example to apply for a spouse visa — you will usually need a notarial certificate of the marriage and, for use in another apostille member state, an apostille. Many couples also consider a prenuptial or marital property agreement at this stage; read Are prenuptial agreements enforceable in China? before you sign one.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Obtaining the single-status certificate too early, so it is "expired" by the registry's standards.
- Assuming a document needs legalisation when an apostille now suffices (or the reverse).
- Names spelled differently across passport, certificate and translation.
- Going to a registry that does not handle foreign-related marriages.
- Forgetting proof that a previous marriage has ended.
Should you marry in China or abroad?
Some couples choose to marry in the foreign partner's country instead. Both routes can work, but they have different consequences:
| Question | Marrying in mainland China | Marrying abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Recognised in China? | Yes, directly | Generally yes, if valid where celebrated |
| Registry divorce available later? | Generally yes, if both attend | Generally no — court divorce is usually needed |
| Documents for use abroad | Notarial certificate plus apostille or legalisation | Foreign certificate plus apostille and translation for use in China |
| Hukou and household records | Updated more easily | May need extra steps |
The second row is often overlooked: a marriage registered abroad usually cannot be ended by a simple agreed divorce at a Chinese registry. If you expect to live in China, registering here can make later life — and, if it comes to it, separation — administratively simpler. Visa and residence rules for the foreign spouse are a separate matter handled by the immigration authorities.
Key takeaways
- Both partners must attend in person at a registry authorised for foreign-related marriages.
- The foreign partner needs a passport and an apostilled or legalised certificate of no marriage with a Chinese translation.
- The Chinese partner needs only a resident ID card and a signed declaration; the hukou booklet is no longer required.
- Since 10 May 2025, a mainland resident and a foreign partner can register at any authorised foreign-related registry anywhere in China.
- Check the local registry's current list before travelling; practice varies by city.
Our marriage registration service for foreigners can check your documents in advance and liaise with the registry. For a free, confidential consultation, contact us.