Multiple regions Releases Guide for Foreign-related Marriage Registration

Wuzhou, Guangxi has published an official guide for the registration of foreign-related marriages.

The guide outlines the necessary documents and procedures for individuals from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, overseas Chinese, and foreign nationals, providing detailed instructions for those looking to register their marriage in China.

1. Documents Required for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan Residents

Residents from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are required to provide the following documents:

Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan Resident Travel Permit or the Resident Identity Card.

Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan Identity Card.

A declaration confirming that the individual has no spouse and that there are no direct blood relationships or collateral kinship within three generations with the other party. The procedures differ slightly for each region:

Hong Kong residents: A notarized statement from a qualified lawyer's office in Hong Kong.

Macau residents: A marriage status certificate from the Macau Civil Registry Office, followed by a notarized statement from either the First or Second Notary Office of Macau.

Taiwan residents: A notarized statement from a Taiwanese notary agency, sent via the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) to the Guangxi Notary Association for verification.

2. Documents Required for Overseas Chinese from Non-Contracting States

Overseas Chinese living in countries that are not parties to a bilateral agreement with China must submit:

A valid passport.

A certificate or declaration stating the individual has no spouse and no direct or collateral kinship within three generations with the other party. This document must be notarized by a local notary or relevant authority and authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the respective country. A Chinese translation of the document is also required.

For countries without diplomatic relations with China, the document must be authenticated by a third country’s embassy or consulate in both the foreign country and China.

3. Documents Required for Overseas Chinese from Contracting States

For overseas Chinese residing in countries that are contracting states under bilateral agreements with China, the following documents are necessary:

A valid passport.

A certificate or declaration from the country of residence confirming no spouse or kinship with the other party, along with the document's Chinese translation.

Additional verification materials may be required, such as confirmation from the relevant authority or a screenshot of a valid verification result obtained online.

4. Documents Required for Foreign Nationals from Contracting Countries

Foreign nationals from countries that have signed marriage registration agreements with China need to provide:

A valid passport or other internationally recognized travel documents, along with a Chinese translation of the passport information page.

A certificate confirming no spouse from the country of residence, authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, and a Chinese translation.

Alternatively, a certificate from the foreign national’s embassy in China confirming no spouse.

5. Documents Required for Foreign Nationals from Non-Contracting Countries

Foreign nationals from countries that are not parties to the marriage registration agreement with China must submit:

A valid passport or internationally recognized travel documents, along with a Chinese translation of the passport information page.

A certificate from the country of residence confirming no spouse, authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, and a Chinese translation.

Similar to other cases, documents issued by countries without diplomatic relations with China must undergo verification through a third country’s embassy in both the foreign country and China.

6. Other Requirements

Applicants must provide three 2-inch recent, passport-style photographs (3.5 cm x 5.3 cm) for both parties. Please note that composite photos, casual photos, wedding photos, or artistic shots are not acceptable.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is foreign-related marriage registration “nationwide” in China?

A1: Yes, when one party is a mainland resident and the other is a foreigner, overseas Chinese, or from Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan, marriage and divorce registrations no longer depend on residency registration. Both parties should apply for marriage registration at the local Civil Affairs Bureau, regardless of their domicile location.

Q2: If a marriage is registered overseas, do I need to register it in China?

A2: Chinese law recognizes marriages between Chinese citizens and foreigners registered abroad, provided they comply with the local laws and do not contradict China's core principles and social public interests.

Q3: Can a divorce be registered in China if the marriage was registered abroad, including in Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan?

A3: No, according to the Marriage Registration Regulations, divorce registration is not accepted in China if the marriage was not registered within the Chinese mainland.

Q4: Can a divorce be registered abroad if the marriage was registered in China?

A4: This depends on the laws and regulations of the respective foreign country.

Q5: Do foreign-language documents need to be translated into Chinese?

A5: Yes, according to the Marriage Registration Work Standards, foreign-language documents such as proof of no spouse must be translated into Chinese. If a Chinese translation is not provided, the document is considered incomplete. Translations from qualified agencies are acceptable.

Q6: Can “marriage-free,” “marriage legal capacity,” or “no marriage record” certificates be used as proof of no spouse?

A6: No, such certificates must be accompanied by a statement from the issuing authority confirming that the individual has no spouse. Additionally, if the certificate is issued by a foreign country, it must be authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

Source: OT-Team(G)