New marriage procedures for British Nationals in China
Marriage registration offices in China now accept an Affidavit/Affirmation of Marital Status sworn at the British Embassy/consulate.
New marriage procedures for British Nationals in China
From 18 August 2014 Chinese Marriage offices will now accept an Affidavit/Affirmation of Marital Status sworn at British Embassy/Consulate-Generals in China. An Affidavit is a religious oath, whereas an Affirmation is a non-religious oath. The British Embassy/Consulate-Generals in China no longer issue Certificates of No Impediment in Chinese. This change enables British nationals to obtain the necessary documentation to marry in China through a same-day service.
British nationals wishing to marry a Chinese national will need to go to the British Embassy/Consulate-General that has jurisdiction over the area where the Chinese national’s Hukou (family registration book) is registered. The British National intending to get married will need to complete the Affidavit/Affirmation form and book an appointment at the British Embassy Beijing or Consulate-Generals in Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chongqing for ‘Affidavit/Affirmation of Marital Status’. Please note that while the form is written in English and Chinese, the deponent should only fill in the form in English.
Once the Affidavit/Affirmation has been made it should be submitted to the local Marriage Office in the town/city where the British national intends to get married. If marrying a Chinese national, the British national will need to go to the town/city where the Chinese nationals Hukou (family registration book) is registered to get married.
Please use the Marriage Tool for further information.
Any British nationals who have already obtained a Certificate of No Impediment from the Embassy/Consulate-General may have it exchanged for the Affidavit/Affirmation for free, but customers are required to come in person to receive this service.