What documents does a foreigner need to marry a Chinese in China?

A married couple must go through marriage registration to have legal safeguards.

So, if a Chinese and a foreigner want to get married, how can they get a marriage certificate?

A Chinese citizen and a foreigner applying for marriage registration shall hold the following certificates respectively:

Chinese citizen

(1) household registration certificate

(2) certificate issued by the people’s government at the county level at the place of residence or the organ/school/public institution/enterprise above the county level at the workplace includes: name, gender, date of birth, nationality, marital status (unmarried, divorced, widowed), occupation, nature of work, and marriage partner

Foreign national

(1) passport or other identification or nationality certificates

(2) Residence Permit for Foreigners issued by the public security organ, or identity certificate issued by the foreign affairs department, or certificate of temporary entry and residence in China

(3) a certificate of marital status issued by a notary office certified by foreign affairs ministry (or an authorized organ of foreign affairs ministry) and the Chinese embassy or consulate in that country; Or the marital status certificate issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate in China

Overseas Chinese

(1) identity and nationality certificates of the applicant’s passport or the certificate in lieu of the passport (stateless people are exempted)

(2) Residence Permit for Foreigners issued by the public security organ

(3) certificate issued by the people’s government at the county level at the place of residence or the organ/school/public institution/enterprise above the county level at the workplace includes: name, gender, date of birth, nationality, marital status (unmarried/divorced/widowed), occupation, nature of work, and marriage partner

Notice

1. Visa issues of foreignersIf the foreigner is at school, he/she need not apply for new certificate for the time being. After graduation, Chinese enterprise will apply for a visa for him/her. If the foreigner doesn’t find a job after marriage, he/she should apply for a visitation visa at the immigration control center.
2. Where to get a marriage license?In the marriage registration authority in the province, autonomous region or municipal people’s government of the Chinese resident.
3. The following Chinese citizens are not allowed to marry foreigners: (1) servicemen in active service, diplomatic personnel, public security personnel, confidential employee and other personnel in possession of major secrets; (2) people undergoing rehabilitation through Labour or serving sentences.
4. The couple must submit a certificate of pre-marital health examination issued by a hospital designated by the marriage registration authority.