News
Marriage procedures for Chinese and foreigners
Time:2025-08-28 Views:952
Abstract: The specific procedures for Chinese and foreigners to apply for a marriage certificate are basically the same as those for mainland Chinese. They can also be divided into three links: application, review and registration. There are certain differences in the application link.
（1） Apply
Chinese citizens apply for marriage in China with foreigners (including foreigners residing in China and temporarily coming to China, Chinese foreigners, foreign nationals residing in China).
Both male and female parties must jointly apply for registration at the marriage registration authority designated by the people's government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government where one Chinese citizen's household registration is located. Chinese citizens and foreigners applying for registration must hold the following certificates respectively:
(1) Chinese citizens must have: ① their registered residence certificate; ② A certificate issued by the county-level people's government or the county-level or above government, school, institution, or enterprise where my household registration is located, stating my name, gender, date of birth, ethnicity, marital status (marriage, divorce, widowhood), occupation, nature of work, and who I am applying to marry.
(2) Foreigners must hold: ① their passports or other identity and nationality certificates; ② The Alien Residence Permit issued by the public security organ, or the identity certificate issued by the foreign affairs department, or the entry and residence certificate for temporary visit to China; ③ A marriage status certificate issued by a notary public in the country, authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or authorized agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the Chinese embassy or consulate in the country, or a marriage status certificate issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate in China.
(3) Foreign nationals must hold: ① their own passport or identity and nationality documents in place of their passport (stateless persons are exempt from submission); ② Alien Residence Permit issued by the public security organ; ③ A certificate issued by the county-level people's government or the county-level or above government, school, institution, or enterprise where my household registration is located, stating my name, gender, date of birth, ethnicity, marital status (marriage, divorce, widowhood), occupation, nature of work, and who I am applying to marry.
Both parties applying for marriage must also submit a pre marital health examination certificate issued by a hospital designated by the marriage registration authority.
All Chinese citizens and foreigners who have complete certificates and meet the requirements of the law can apply to the marriage registration office with certificates and photos of both men and women.
The parties applying for marriage registration shall truthfully provide the prescribed relevant documents and certificates to the marriage registration authority, and shall not conceal the true situation.
（2） Review
The marriage registration management authority shall review the application of the parties to determine whether the marriage application meets the conditions for marriage. If there are any uncertainties, the authorities shall inquire with the parties and, if necessary, may require them to provide relevant supporting materials.
（3） Registration
1. Register it
The marriage registration authority shall immediately register and issue a marriage certificate to those who meet the conditions for marriage; For those who have been divorced, their divorce certificate should be cancelled. However, Chinese citizens and foreigners should go through the registration procedures and issue marriage certificates within one month after receiving the application for registration. The marriage certificate of foreign-related marriage must be affixed with photos of both parties and stamped with the special seal for marriage registration of the people's government at or above the county level for handling foreign-related marriage registration.
When the parties applying for marriage registration are unable to obtain the required proof due to interference from a single party or others, and the marriage registration management authority confirms that they indeed meet the marriage conditions, they shall be registered.
2. Not allowed to register
If the applicant falls under any of the following circumstances, the marriage registration authority shall not register:
(1) Those who have reached the legal age for marriage;
(2) Involuntary;
(3) Those who already have a spouse;
(4) Belonging to direct blood relatives or collateral blood relatives within three generations;
(5) Suffering from diseases that are medically considered unsuitable for marriage.
Recommended reading about Chinese and foreigners' marriage procedures: how to go through the formalities for getting married in another place How to go through the formalities for getting married in another place Sichuan Faneng Law Firm is dedicated to serving you.