Tieing the knot
To marry in China, you must meet certain requirements and prepare specific documents.
Basic Conditions:
1. Minimum age: 20 for women and 22 for men
2. China observes monogamy
3. You cannot get married if you are lineal relatives or collateral relatives within three generations
| Note: Two foreigners cannot marry in China |
Documents to Prepare:
1. A valid passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card.
2. A notarized certificate from your country validating your single status, or a certificate issued by your country's embassy or consulate in China confirming your single status. The certificate of single status is valid for 6 months.
3. Translated copies of the required documents and a photocopy of the business license of the translation company with an official seal.
4. Three copies of a color photo of you and your spouse-to-be (couple's portrait).
Make an Appointment:
Go to the marriage registration office in the jurisdiction of your partner's hukou (household registration). If your partner does not have a Shanghai hukou, you cannot get married in Shanghai.
The Shanghai Marriage (Adoption) Registration Office is located on the third floor of the Everbright Exhibition Center at No 80 Caobao Road and is open from 9 am to 11:30 am and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Saturday (except for national holidays; marriage registration is also available on Jan 1, May 1, Oct 1, and during the Mid-Autumn Festival).
The Pudong New Area Marriage (Adoption) Registration Center is located on the 3rd floor of Yongye Building, No 2240 Pudong South Road (only for couples whose household registration is in Pudong New Area).
You can book an appointment for marriage registration at the Government Online-Offline Shanghai website or through the "suishenban 随申办" mini-program on WeChat. Search "婚姻登记预约marriage registration reservation" on suishenban to reserve registration service.
If your Chinese level is not sufficient, you can call 021-6432 5088 for English service during working hours to make an appointment.
| Please note that the information provided here is based on general guidelines and may vary by location within China. It's important to verify the specific requirements and procedures with the local marriage registration office or authorities. |
Sources: Government Online-Offline Shanghai,Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Civil Affairs