On 9 Apr. 2025, China’s State Council released the revised “Regulation on Marriage Registration” (婚姻登记条例), which came into force on 10 May 2025.
The revised Regulation aims to improve the accessibility of marriage services, support family relationships, and advance digital infrastructure in response to population mobility and evolving societal needs.
The highlights are as follows.
- Nationwide Access to Marriage Registration: The revised Regulation eliminates the requirement to register marriages and divorces in one’s place of household registration, allowing individuals to register for marriage, divorce, or certificate replacement in any location across the country. Previously, 21 provinces had piloted inter-provincial processing. The revised Regulation expands the service to the entire nation.
- Streamlined Procedures: The requirement to submit a household registration booklet for marriage registration has been abolished. Online appointment booking and pre-submission of materials are encouraged to reduce on-site processing time. Registration authorities may also provide personalized services such as certificate issuance ceremonies and encourage family participation.
- Alignment with the Civil Code: The revised Regulation specifies that divorce registration shall include a mandatory 30-day “cooling-off” period, aligning the administrative process with provisions in the Civil Code.
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