Marriage registration needs identity cards and signed declarations, costs nothing and can be completed on the spot
Since May 2025, mainland Chinese residents need their identity cards and signed declarations that they have no spouse and are not direct blood relatives or collateral blood relatives within three generations. Household-registration booklets are no longer required, nor must you return to either person's registered home locality. Registration is free, and eligible couples receive certificates on the spot.
What it takes
Free in mainland China. Both people must attend in person; the process usually takes tens of minutes.
What you may gain
China's Marriage Registration Regulations effective May 10, 2025 require mainland residents to produce two items: their resident identity cards and signed declarations of unmarried status and absence of the specified blood relationship. Household-registration booklets are no longer mandatory. Registrars are county-level civil-affairs departments or township governments designated for convenience by provincial-level governments. The former restriction to one partner's permanent household-registration locality was removed. Registrars may not charge registration fees and must register eligible couples and issue marriage certificates immediately.
Context & considerations
Registration is refused in four circumstances: someone is below the legal marriage age; consent is not fully voluntary on both sides; either already has a spouse; or the couple are direct blood relatives or collateral relatives within three generations. Ancillary photography or photocopying may cost money, but registration itself is free. Refuse and complain about purported certificate-production or express-processing fees. See exit costs for the 30-day cooling-off period for registered divorce.
Research & references
State Council of China (2025). Marriage Registration Regulations, State Council Order No. 804, Articles 2, 6, 8 and 10. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202504/content_7017752.htm