China Implements Easier, More Flexible Marriage Registration System

Marriage registration in China is poised to become more streamlined and flexible, according to a new draft revision announced on August 15, 2024.

This marks the first major update to the marriage registration ordinance since its enactment in 2003. The proposed changes aim to simplify the process by reducing the number of required documents and offering greater flexibility in registration locations.

Under the new draft, mainland couples will only need their identification cards and a signed declaration stating that they are not currently married and have no blood relationship within three generations.

This eliminates the need for resident household registration books, which have previously caused inconvenience. One comment on the Sina Weibo platform highlighted the trouble a man experienced when trying to obtain his resident household registration page from his employer’s collective registration book.

The draft also lifts the restriction on marriage registration locations. Currently, couples must go to the marriage registration offices within the regions of their permanent residence to complete the procedure.

The revised draft allows for more flexibility, enabling couples to register at different locations, which many netizens have praised for improving efficiency.

In addition to these changes, the draft introduces a 30-day "cooling-off period" for divorces. During this period, either party may withdraw their application if they do not wish to proceed, and the marriage registration offices should then terminate the divorce process.

Public feedback on the draft is invited until September 11 via the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ official website, email, or by mail. This inclusive approach aims to gather diverse opinions to refine the proposed changes further.

Despite these improvements, experts suggest that the declining marriage rate in China is influenced by broader societal factors. Official data showed that 3.43 million couples registered their marriage in the first half of this year, which is half of the figure from the same period in 2014.

Zhou Haiwang, a researcher with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, attributes this decline to a shrinking population of eligible individuals, shifting attitudes toward marriage, and financial concerns. "More youngsters choose to postpone marriage until they are personally ready," said Zhou.