Tying the knot in Shanghai

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Visa-free policies

Visa application

Visa extension, change, reissuance

Online arrival card

Customs clearance

Invitation letters

Accommodation registration

Physical examination

Consulates

Exit-entry bureaus

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Banking

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Currency exchange

Open a bank account

Payments

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Public transport

−Metro
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Metro

Bus

Ferry

Personal mobility

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Get a driving license

Ride a bike

Mobility services

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Taxi

Airplane

Train

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Mobile phone

−Get a SIM card
−Prevent security risks
−Power banks

Get a SIM card

Prevent security risks

Power banks

Wi-Fi

Popular apps

−Essential apps
−Apps for intl students

Essential apps

Apps for intl students

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Classification

Application guide

Tying the knot in Shanghai

english.shanghai.gov.cn

Getting married is exciting — but if you're planning to marry with a Chinese national in Shanghai, there's some paperwork to tackle first. Good news is that the city makes it easier for international couples to register, with services now available in all 16 districts.

Basic Conditions:

1. Minimum age: 20 for women and 22 for men.

2. You and your partner must go to the marriage registration office in person.

3. Both of you must enter the marriage voluntarily.

4. China observes monogamy.

5. You cannot get married if you are lineal relatives or collateral relatives within three generations.

Note: China doesn't provide marriage registration for two foreigners.

Documents to Prepare:

For your Chinese spouse:

Personal ID card.

For you:

1. A valid passport or other international travel documents or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card.

2. Certificate of single status. There are two situations depending on your nationality.

(1) If your country is a contracting party of the Convention on Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, you can get the certificate of single status from:

a notary or competent authority at your country with an Apostille;
the embassy (consulate) of your country in China.

(2) If your country is not a contracting party of the Convention on Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, you can get the certificate from:

a notary or competent authority at your country and authenticated by the embassy (consulate) of the People's Republic of China in your country;
a notary or competent authority at your country and authenticated by the embassy (consulate) of your country in China;
the embassy (consulate) of your country in China.

Note: The certificate of single status will be valid for six months from the date of issue.

3. Translated copies of the certificate of single status and Apostille mentioned above. Translations by the Chinese embassy (consulate) in your country or a qualified translation institution will be accepted.

4. Three copies of a couple's portrait.

Marriage Registration:

The city allows couples from any part of the country, including those with international ties, to complete their registration at any municipal or district-level office, regardless of their place of residence.

The detailed addresses and contact information for the various registration centers are as follows.

You can book an appointment for marriage registration online.

If you are not fluent in Chinese, you can call 021-6432-5088 for English service.

How to get divorced

To get divorced, you must go to the marriage registration office and adhere to the following procedures.

Documents to prepare

For your Chinese spouse:

1. Personal ID card;

2. Marriage certificate;

3. Divorce agreement.

For you:

1. Marriage certificate;

2. Divorce agreement;

3. Valid passports or other international travel documents or permanent resident permit.

Photos: two 2-inch color single photos of each party

Divorce registration

If the documents submitted are complete and valid, your divorce application will be accepted. After the 30-day "cooling-off" period expires, a divorce certificate will be granted.

If you are not fluent in Chinese, you can call 021-6432-5088 for English service during working hours to make an appointment.

You can also book an appointment for divorce registration online.

Reminder:

1. You can't apply for a divorce if you didn't register your marriage in the Chinese mainland or the Chinese embassy or consulate overseas.

2. The Divorce Agreement must be written in Chinese. If it is translated from a foreign language, a copy of the business license of the translation company stamped with the official seal must also be provided.

Here is a list of marriage registration offices in Shanghai:

Shanghai Marriage Registration Center

Address: 3rd Floor, Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center, No 80 Caobao Road

Tel: 021-6432-5088

Email: swhydj@mzj.shanghai.gov.cn

Pudong New Area Marriage Registration Center

Address: 3rd Floor, No 2240 South Pudong Road

Tel: 021-5882-8056 (Marriage), 021-5882-9805 (Divorce)

Email: hgnq@pudong.gov.cn

Huangpu District Marriage Registration Center

Address: No 250 Middle Jiangxi Road

Tel: 021-6377-7913

Email: shhphy@163.com

Xuhui District Marriage Registration Center

Address: 3rd Floor, Building 2, Xuhui Administrative Service Center, No 999 Nanning Road

Tel: 021-6432-5543

Email: xhhd999@163.com

Changning District Marriage Registration Center

Address: 1st Floor, Building 2, Alley 631, Jinzhong Road

Tel: 021-6270-5589

Email: cnhyzx@163.com

Jing'an District Marriage Registration Center

Address: 1st & 2nd Floors, No 50 Moling Road

Tel: 021-6380-5326

Email: jahy520@126.com

Minhang District Marriage Registration Center

Address: No 1766 Xinzhen Road

Tel: 021-5453-0884

Email: niejing@shmh.gov.cn

Hongkou District Marriage Registration Center

Address: No 76 Balin Road

Tel: 021-5512-7328

Email: hkhd2020@126.com

Hongkou District Marriage Registration Center, Tian'ai Road Branch

Address: No 50 Tian'ai Branch Road

Tel: 021-5512-7328

Putuo Marriage Registration Center

Address: No 510 Caoyang Road

Tel: 021-6245-5667

Email: gexj@shpt.gov.cn

Yangpu Marriage Registration Center

Address: No 1111 Changyang Road

Tel: 021-6506-1665

Email: yphy2417@126.com

Jiading District Marriage Registration Center

Address: No 2560 Middle Chengliu Road

Tel: 021-5952-8242/021-5952-8667

Email: jdqhgs@163.com

Baoshan District Marriage Registration Center

Address: South Building, No 2 Zhangling Road (Near Panggu Road)

Tel: 021-5669-9902

Email: bshydjgls@126.com

Baoshan District Marriage Registration Center, Binjiang Branch

Address: No 520 Wusongkou Road

Tel: 021-5669-9902

Email: bshydjgls@126.com

Songjiang District Marriage Registration Center

Address: Building 2, No 682, Alley 900, North Sanxin Road

Tel: 021-5782-8156 (Marriage), 021-5772-7552 (Divorce)

Email: sjqhunguansuo@163.com

Fengxian District Marriage Registration Center

Address: 3rd Floor, Block B, Alley 1529, South Wangyuan Road

Tel: 021-5742-0620

Email: fengxianhunyin@126.com

Jinshan District Marriage Registration Center

Address: No 620 Linyuan Street, Zhujing town

Tel: 021-5731-9540

Email: jinshanhundeng@163.com

Qingpu District Marriage Registration Center

Address: No 300 Qing'an Road

Tel: 021-6971-4230 (Marriage), 021-6971-3671 (Divorce)

Email: qingpuhunyin@163.com

Chongming District Marriage Registration Center

Address: No 1501 Cuizhu Road, Chengqiao Town

Tel: 021-3961-1574 (Marriage), 021-5962-9140 (Divorce)

Email: cmhydjzx@outlook.com

Updated on March 5, 2026

Source: Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Civil Affairs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to fire a pregnant employee?

How do I enroll my child in kindergarten?

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