MARRIAGE REGISTRATION

This information below is provided by the Guangzhou Municipal Foreigners Marriage Registration Office of the Civil Affairs Bureau. It applies to the following citizens:

                Foreigners (including foreigners with residence visa, or for a temporary visit,
                overseas Chinese with foreign citizenship).

               Resident Aliens ( ie foreigners with permanent residency status in China).

How to apply

Both male and female applicants must comply with the Chinese Marriage Law and relevant regulations. They should submit their application form, together with 3 photos taken together along with the following documents and make a "Declaration of Marriage Registration Application".

Local citizens must submit

Identity card
Document of household registration
A Self Declaration of No Impediment to the Marriage

Foreigners must submit

Passport or other document of personal identity or nationality.
Marital Status Certificate issued by a Public Notary Office and affirmed by the     
Chinese Embassy (Consulates) in foreign country or Consulate General in Guangzhou,  
or a Certificate of No Impediment issued by the Consulate Guangzhou.

From 1st October 2003, according to the new Marriage Registration Regulation, there are some changes as follows,
1. The pre-marriage health check is not compulsory any more. It is optional whether you
      choose to have a pre-marriage health check or not.  

2. Two foreigners cannot get married in mainland China unless they can provide a certificate issued in their home country confirming that their marriage in China will be recognised in their country. Alternatively, they can still get married in Hong Kong. For more detailed information about marriage in Hong Kong, please contact Marriage Registration & Records Office in Hong Kong as follows,
Tel: 00852 2867 3315                Fax: 00852 2537 8593
Email: enquiry@immd.gov.hk         Website: http://www.info.gov.hk/immd/

The Marriage Certificate will be issued by the Marriage Registry in the same day once they are satisfied that the submitted documents comply with Chinese Marriage Law. The legal relationship of husband and wife is immediately established with acquisition of the marriage certificate.

Where to apply

Foreigners should apply to the Guangzhou Municipal Foreigner' s Marriage Registry.
Address: Rm 718, Min Zheng Building, 99 Xihu Lu, Guangzhou. Tel: 831787718334 2349
Office Hour: Monday ~ Friday, 8:00-11:30am, 2:30~5:00pm
            
Overseas Chinese, Chinese in Hong Kong and Macau applicants should apply at the Civil Affairs Bureau of the district or country where the spouse' s household is registered.

Cost

The health check costs Y 260 per couple (optional). The marriage licence is Y 9.

Editor: Dawn                                                                           By: Source:GOCN