Interprovincial marriage registration streamlined

Couples able to wed where they live instead of returning to hometowns

Couples in China no longer need to return to their hometowns or places of household registration to marry, after a revision of the country's marriage registration policy.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, recently approved a draft amendment to the Marriage Registration Ordinance to streamline and improve services nationwide. The new guidelines incorporate successful pilot programs, including cross-provincial marriage registration, into the national system to ensure broader accessibility and greater convenience.

The amendment, reviewed and passed by the State Council, aligns with the Civil Code and aims to regulate marriage registration while optimizing public services. The Ministry of Civil Affairs said the reform is expected to strengthen family structures, protect legal rights and contribute to social stability.