1. Application

To apply for marriage registration, partners of the contemplated marriage shall appear together at the marriage registration office (Typically, marriage registration offices are only open Monday to Friday during certain hours, and are closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays). You should be prepared to submit all required documents, certificates, and photographs that establish the identity, residential status, as well as the marriageability of each of you.

There is a preregistration before the on-site marriage registration. You should log in to the "All in Wan" (Wanshitong) app, search for "To Make Online Appointment for Marriage Registration", click to enter this item and follow the prompts to make an appointment in advance before your marriage registration. You can also dial the telephone number 0553-3819520 to make a preregistration.

Marriage registration includes filling out the application (in Chinese; the assistance from a Chinese speaker will be required because the officials at the Marriage Registration Office do not necessarily speak English); entering your data into the database by the official; and printing out two Marriage Certificates.

Two foreigners can get married in China if both of them meet the marriage requirements in China (Certificate of Marriageability and at least one of them has a Chinese residence permit). The marriage is to be documented in the Marriage Registration Office, Bureau of Civil Affairs.

2. Verification

Upon receipt of an application to register a marriage, the marriage registration office will ascertain that both parties have reached legal age (generally 22 for men and 20 for women), and that both parties are single and otherwise free to marry.

3. Issuance

Upon confirming that the application conforms to the Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China and to the required procedures, the registration office shall give the applicants the permission to register and complete the registration process within one month. Once the registration is completed, one marriage certificate will then be issued to each partner in the form of a red booklet with the couple's picture inside.

4. List of application materials:

(1) Three couple photos were taken within six months (bare-headed, full face, red background), 2 inches;

(2) Valid identity documents and relevant proof documents.

Chinese mainland residents: Valid permanent residence registration booklet and ID card.

Foreigners: Valid passport or other valid international travel documents; single status certificate.

Both parties concerned shall respectively complete a form of Declaration of Application for Marriage Registration and read out their declarations in front of the marriage registrar. You must sign your names or affix fingerprints in the column of "Declarer" in person on the Declaration of Application for Marriage Registration.

There will be a fee charged for the registration of a marriage. Besides, all documents in a foreign language must be translated into Chinese at the applicants' own expenses. The authenticity of translation shall be certified by a Chinese notary public.