Chinese Bride Guide to Marriage Legalities

I get emails all the time from guys asking me how do they actually marry a Chinese bride, as they are often misinformed by their future wife. This mis-information isn't usually deliberate on the females part. It's simply that information, especially related to government practice, isn't as accessible in China as it is in western countries. Also, the Chinese woman in question may simply not know anyone else who has been married to a westerner, and so will not know the usual procedure. In actual fact, the legal procedure for a Chinese man marrying a Chinese woman, is different from a non-native Chinese marrying a Chinese woman.

Compared to many countries, the legal requirements guides for marrying a Chinese bride are quite simple and straight forward. Assuming you are not from mainland China, there are only really three things you will need to take with you to the marriage registry office (note: the marriage registry office is not the same place as where your wedding ceremony will take place).

1. Your passport, this is a substitute for a Chinese I.D. You really can't do much in China without it.

2. A certificate of 'no lawful impediment'; this is obtained from your native countries embassy, and is simply a certificate that states that you are not married/still married to someone in your native country. The cost for this is dependent on your country of origin, but usually can cost upwards of $200.And lastly...

3. A certificate from the local province governing office saying it has received copies of your passport and 'certificate of no lawful impediment' (they charge you to photo copy this, and no, you can't use your own photocopy) and are allowing you to marry a native Chinese female.

Bear in mind that the above procedures do not necessarily take place in the same building. Chinese bureaucracy is archaic at best, and wastes much of its own time and your time. When I myself married I had to visit three separate places (in different locations) widely spread apart in the city. What ideally should have taken two to three hours, actually took all day! It was also a totally unromantic experience due to these factors.

Another point to bear in mind if you plan going down this route is that, unlike in western countries, the marriage certificate is not signed on the same day as the wedding ceremony takes place. Sometimes it's way before the actual wedding ceremony, or actually after the wedding ceremony, depending on her families requirements (note: I say her families requirements, and not your requirements, or your future wife's requirements; this is an important point). Check out my resource box for more information about Chinese brides, and how to know the right one to choose so you don't end up with one that really makes your life hard!