Foreign-Related Marriage in Chongqing

Foreign-related marriages refer to marriages between Chinese citizens and foreign citizens (including foreign Chinese, foreign nationals residing in China and stateless persons, etc.). In addition, the marriages of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan compatriots differ from mainlanders'. The details of marriage registrations in Chongqing are listed below, involving foreign nationals, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwanese nationals.

The following documents are required for Chongqing residents to apply for marriage registration:

1. The applicant's hukou (household registration) and the resident identification card;

2. Signed statement that the applicant has no spouse, direct blood relatives, or collateral relatives within three generations with the other party (complete the unified declaration form at the registration center).

The following documents are required for foreign nationals to apply for marriage registration:

1. The applicant's passport or other valid international travel documents;

2. A certificate issued by a notary institution or a competent authority in the country where the applicant is located and certified by the embassy or consulate of the People's Republic of China in the country or a certificate issued by the embassy or consulate of the country in China, or a certificate that the applicant is without their spouse, or a certificate issued by the embassy of the country in China (valid for six months);

3. Both parties must also submit three recent photographs of themselves without hats showing half their bodies. As an indication of size, the photo should be 2 inches (6 x 4 cm), which should be a clearly legible identification photo.

Tips: The certification materials must be translated into Chinese by a certified translation unit if they are in a foreign language. Information about the unit, such as its name, contact, and address, is required. In the event that the applicant fails to submit the Chinese version of the certification materials, it shall be considered that the document has not been submitted. Translations issued by Chinese embassies or consulates abroad or by qualified translation agencies may be accepted by marriage registration authorities.

The following documents are required for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan compatriots to apply for marriage registration:

1. The applicant's valid passport and identification card;

2. A statement notarized by the notary office of the place of residence that the applicant has no spouse and that the applicant has no direct blood relatives or collateral blood relatives within three generations with the other party (valid for six months).

The following documents are required for foreign Chinese to apply for marriage registration:

1. The applicant's valid passport;

2. A certificate issued by a notary institution or a competent institution in the country of residence and certified by the embassy or consulate of the People's Republic of China in the country that the applicant has no spouse and has no direct blood relatives or collateral blood relations within three generations with the other party; or the certificate issued by the Embassy (Consulate) of the People's Republic of China in the country stating that the applicant does not have a spouse and has no direct blood relatives or collateral blood relatives within three generations of the other party (validity period is six months).

People who are prohibited from marrying foreigners:

1. The active duty military, diplomats, public security personnel, confidential personnel, and other personnel with sensitive secrets;

2. People who are receiving reeducation through labor and serving prison sentences.

Process of registration

Chinese citizens and foreigners with complete certificates and meeting the requirements can submit their certificates and photos of both parties to the marriage registration authority for registration. Those who comply with the Civil Code and these regulations can register, complete the registration procedures within one month, and receive a marriage certificate after the authority examines them. Photographs of both parties must be attached to the marriage certificate, as well as the special seal (steel seal) by the county-level people's government that handles foreign marriage registration.

The following is the procedure:

The first trial (both parties must present valid identification documents and certificates, and foreign language certificates must be translated into Chinese) → acceptance (each party must complete the "Application for Marriage Registration Declaration") → scrutinized → registration (the issuance of the "Marriage Certificate").

Tips:

The Chongqing Marriage and Adoption Registration Administrator Center is responsible for registering marriages between Chongqing residents and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents, overseas Chinese, and foreign nationals.

Address: Floor 14, Tongju Yuanjing Building, No. 9 Jianxin Bei (North) Road, Jiangbei District, Chongqing.

Contact: 023-67729997 (for manual service, dial 0)