Marriage between foreigners 

If both partners are foreigners, they can go to any registration office in the city where they live. Generally speaking, at least one of the partners must reside in China. Two foreigners on a temporary visit with tourist visas shall not be able to register to marry in China.

If you both have the same nationality, your embassy might give you the option to get married before a diplomatic or consular officer but it's not a general rule.

If you find the paperwork to get married in China too complicated, you could go to Hong Kong. The process is more expensive than on the Chinese mainland, but is quicker and easier, with many couples getting married there.

●Legal marriage age in China is 22 for a man and 20 for a woman.

●Chinese citizens working in sensitive jobs (in embassies or government branches) may not be legally allowed to marry foreigners. This often holds true for foreigners doing similar work.

●Just because you're married in China doesn't mean that your Chinese spouse can automatically return with you to your home country. He/she will have to apply for a visa beforehand.

●There is no civil type of wedding ceremony in China. You just register the marriage with the proper office.

Useful Contacts

Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau

Add: 20 Gongrentiyuchang Donglu, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Tel: +8610-6586 6660

Shanghai Marriage Administration Office

Add: 3rd floor, 78 Caobao Lu, Everbright Exhibition Center, Shanghai

Tel: +8621-6432 5087

Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Civil Affairs

Add: Room 718, No. 99, Xihu Lu, Guangzhou

Tel: +8620-8334 2349