Are you an expat planning to get married in Shanghai? There’s a lot you’ll need to prepare when you’re a foreigner marrying a Chinese national, especially on the legal side. Understanding the Chinese law is the key to obtaining your marriage papers with ease.
Don’t worry—this Pacific Prime article will be your step-by-step guide on how to get married in Shanghai as an expat. But first, we need to look at the general requirements for marriage registration in China.
Basic Legal Requirements for Marriage in China
First of all, let’s look at who’s eligible for marriage in China:
- Age Requirement: The legal minimum age for marriage is 22 for men and 20 for women.
- Marital Status: Both parties are single. If you have been married before, you must provide legal documents such as a divorce decree or death certificate to prove that the previous marriage has ended.
- At least one partner is a registered permanent resident of China or a Chinese citizen.
- Same-sex marriage is not recognized in China.
- Bigamy or polygamy is not recognized in China.
- Both parties are not blood relatives within three generations
Important Note: China no longer allows marriage registration among two foreigners in the country.
Required Documents for Marriage Registration
Both the foreign national and the Chinese citizen must prepare the following documents:
For Chinese Citizens:
- ID card
- Household registration permit of Shanghai (Hukou)
- Most provinces mandate that you marry in the city or province that appears on your partner’s household register (Hukou). Check with the local civil affairs bureau for updated information.
- Single status affirmation (a signed document that verifies your status as single and that you are not closely related to your spouse).
For Foreign Nationals:
- Passport with a valid visa
- Marriage Affidavit or Marital Status Affirmation (a statement certified by your embassy stating that you are legally free to marry), which can be obtained through your country’s consulate or embassy in Shanghai.
Important Note: All documents must be translated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country or a qualified translation institution in China (the translation institution shall provide a copy of the business license with its official seal).
- At least three copies of color photographs of you and your partner together
Take a Professional Photo
Make sure you get a clear, professional picture of yourself before you go to the marriage registration office. It is important to look your best and follow the rules for the photo because it will be on your official marriage certificate.
Download the Suishenban App
Did you know that most of the government affairs in Shanghai can be done online via the “Suishenban” (随申办) (One-Stop Service) application? You can use this app to:
- Schedule an appointment for your marriage registration at either the city-level marriage registration office or the district-level marriage registration office, depending on where you live.
- Submit required documents online
- Track your registration process
Search “婚姻登记预约 marriage registration reservation” on Suishenban to reserve a registration service. Using the app will greatly save you time and eliminate hassles.
If you are not fluent in Chinese, you can call 021-6432-5088 for English service.
Visit the Marriage Registration Center
Once your documents are ready and translated into Chinese, schedule an appointment at a nearby marriage registration center to finish the process.
Important Note: You must go to the marriage registration office located in the jurisdiction of your partner’s Hukou (household registration permit of Shanghai). If your partner does not have a Shanghai Hukou, you cannot get your marriage registration done in Shanghai.
Good news: Shanghai has extended its marriage registration services for foreign nationals to nine districts: Hongkou, Yangpu, Putuo, Pudong, Huangpu, Xuhui, Changning, Jing’an, and Minhang.
You can find a marriage registration center in Shanghai near you in the following list:
- Shanghai Marriage Registration Center
Address: 3/F, Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center, 80 Caobao Rd, Xuhui (漕宝路80号光大会展中心D座3楼）
Tel: 6432-5088
- Hongkou Tian’ai Road Marriage Registration Sub-Center
Address: 50 Tian’ai Sub-Street, Hongkou (甜爱支路50号)
Tel: 5512-7328
- Putuo Marriage Registration Center
Address: 510 Caoyang Rd, Putuo (曹杨路510号)
Tel: 6244-1118 ext 3002
- Yangpu Marriage Registration Center
Address: 1111 Changyang Rd, Yangpu (长阳路1111号)
Tel: 6506-1665
- Huangpu Marriage Registration Center
Address: 250 Jiangxi Rd M., Huangpu (江西中路250号)
Tel: 6377-7913
- Xuhui Marriage Registration Center
Address: 3/F, Bldg 2, 999 Nanning Rd, Xuhui (南宁路999号2号楼3楼)
Tel: 6423-5543
- Changning Marriage Registration Center
Address: 1/F, Bldg 2, Lane 631, Jinzhong Rd, Changning (金钟路631弄2号楼一楼)
Tel: 6270-5589
- Jing’an Marriage Registration Center
Address: 1-2/F, 50 Moling Rd, Jing’an (秣陵路50号1-2楼)
Tel: 6244-1118 ext 3002
- Minhang Marriage Registration Center
Address: 1766 Xinzhen Rd, Minhang (新镇路1766号)
Tel: 5453-0884
- Pudong Marriage Registration Center
Address: 3/F, 2240 Pudong Rd S., Pudong (浦东南路2240号3楼)
Tel: 5882-8056 (marriage), 5882-9805 (divorce)
Post-Marriage Legalization
After getting married in Shanghai as an expat, you will need to legalize your marriage certificate so it can be recognized in other countries. Follow these steps:
- Obtain your marriage certificate by visiting one of the marriage registration centers listed above.
- Get an Apostille or Consular Authentication, depending on your home country’s status.
- Apostille: An apostille is available if your country of origin is a member of the Hague Convention. This streamlines the process of identifying legal documents in foreign countries.
- Consular Authentication: If your country is not a member, you will need to visit your country’s embassy or consulate in China, where they can authenticate your marriage certificate.
Conclusion
If you’re an expat planning to get married in Shanghai with a Chinese citizen, here are the steps to take:
- Prepare the documents required for both the foreigner and the Chinese national. Make sure everything is notarized and translated into Chinese by a professional translator.
- Book an appointment via the Suishenban (随申办) app or call for English service.
- Visit one of the Marriage Registration Centers listed on your partner’s Hukou.
- Legalize your marriage certificate for international recognition of the union.
We hope you find our guide useful. But if you’re having trouble settling in China and need insurance advice, Pacific Prime is here to help. Our experts can assist you with tasks such as filling out long forms, reading complex legal texts, or providing general advice on moving to China in our blogs.
If you are marrying a Chinese national and starting a family here, it’s nice to consider family or maternity health insurance. Starting a family can be stressful, but we can give you peace of mind by knowing that the insurance plan you choose will cover your needs.
Contact us today for a free quote and learn more about your insurance options in China!
Disclaimer: Pacific Prime solely represents, operates and manages locally regulated insurance products and services in the territory of PR China. Any references to Pacific Prime Global Company or Group, the international services, insurance products or otherwise stated written or verbally, is for introduction purposes about our overseas network only as each entity is fully independent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Visa Can You Get If You Marry a Chinese Citizen?
When married to a Chinese person, you can obtain a one-year L visa by presenting your marriage certificate, your Chinese spouse’s identity card, a registration of residence certificate, and your passport at your local Entry-Exit Office (出入境).
Can You Become a Permanent Resident If You Marry a Chinese Citizen?
Foreigners who are married to a Chinese citizen (with registered Chinese permanent citizenship) or to an expat who qualifies for permanent residence in China can apply for permanent residence in China if they meet all four of the following requirements:
- The couple has been married for five years.
- They have resided in China for five consecutive years and spend a minimum of nine months on the Chinese mainland each year.
- They have stable life security and accommodations in China.
- They are in good health, adhere to Chinese laws, and have no criminal records.
What Should I Do If I Can’t Speak Chinese?
If you wish to marry in China and do not speak Chinese, don’t hesitate to ask for translator assistance at the Marriage Registration Office.
How Long Does It Take to Process My Marriage Registration?
The whole registration process should take about one hour if the officers have approved your documents. You should schedule an appointment with the Marriage Registration Office about three weeks in advance.