A certificate of no marriage, also called a single status certificate or certificate of no impediment, confirms that a person is not currently married and is free to marry. When a foreign national registers a marriage in mainland China, the designated marriage registry generally requires this document in addition to a valid passport. Depending on the country, it may be issued by a civil registry, sworn as an affidavit before a notary, or issued by the embassy or consulate in China. Documents issued abroad generally need an apostille (for convention member states, since 7 November 2023) or consular legalisation, plus a Chinese translation.
Why it matters
The single status document is the most common reason marriage registrations in China are delayed. Requirements differ between registries and change from time to time; some ask for a document issued within a recent period, some have specific translation requirements. The revised Marriage Registration Regulations effective 10 May 2025 allow a mainland resident marrying a foreigner to register at any registry authorised for foreign-related matters anywhere in China, but requirements still vary, so it is wise to confirm the current list with the registry you plan to use before ordering documents. Divorced or widowed applicants usually need to show how the previous marriage ended, such as a divorce judgment or death certificate.
How it works in practice
A US citizen engaged to a woman from Guangzhou first checked the designated registry's current requirements. He swore an affidavit of single status before a notary in his home state, obtained an apostille from the state authority, and had it translated by a recognised translation company in Guangzhou. He also brought his final divorce decree from an earlier marriage. The couple registered their marriage on their first visit.
Common mistakes
- Ordering the document before checking the local registry's current list
- Letting the certificate go out of date before the registration appointment
- Forgetting proof that a previous marriage has ended
- Skipping the apostille or legalisation step
- Using an informal translation that the registry will not accept