Marriage registration in China becomes easier, more romantic than ever

Since May 10, getting married in China is becoming a piece of cake. Wedding cake.

Gone are the rules about documenting permanent household registration, or hukou. Gone are the rules requiring that marriages take place in the hukou city of one partner. Star-crossed lovers can now tie the knot anywhere they choose in China.

And it's so much more romantic. They can register at the place where they first met, for example, or where they studied or started a business or pledged their everlasting love. They can even marry during travel to a city they've never visited before.

All they need are their identification cards. They need only affirm that they're unmarried and not related to one another within three generations.

Suo Xuheng, 26, of Wuhan, Hubei province, said he and his fiancee are happy about the new rules. They're planning to get married later this year.

"It's great to experience a policy that truly serves the people, bringing marriage registration back to the essence of love," he said. "For example, today I really wanted to register — my girlfriend and I can just bring our ID cards to the civil affairs bureau and get in line for our marriage certificate. There is no need to return to our hometowns or wait for family members to mail household registration documents."

Marriage is easy now that the old barriers of location and documentation are gone. Some cities have already begun to offer incentives to take advantage of the new rules — not only to fan the flames of love but to lure visitors and their money.

Some cities have moved their marriage registry offices to parks, historic buildings or popular scenic spots. Some offer free tickets or discounts to tourist attractions. Some give souvenirs tied to local culture as gifts.

In Nanjing, Jiangsu province, the registration office located next to Xuanwu Lake has been popular since its launch on May 9, said Wang Yao, director of the marriage registration center of the civil affairs bureau of Xuanwu district.

The office, with an area of 350 square meters, features functional zones — a marriage registration area, a Chinese-style certification section, space for ceremonies, an exhibition area covering wedding customs, spots for photography and even marriage counseling rooms.

"To accommodate the potential surge in marriage registrations, we will open early — at 8 am on May 20 and 21," Wang said, noting that the numerical dates 5/20 and 5/21 sound like "I love you" in Chinese.

The office has received numerous inquiries and appointments in recent days, both from locals and non-locals. "They wanted to confirm that marriage registration can indeed be processed without household registration books, that non-residents can register in Nanjing and what procedures are required," Wang said.

To provide extended convenience, a 100-square-meter commercial space has been set up near the registration office. It offers brands of beverages and jewelry, as well as wedding services.

A woman surnamed Zhu and her husband surnamed Ji registered for marriage on May 10 at the office. "We dated several times at the Xuanwu Lake, so this place has a special meaning for us," she said. "I hope our future life can be as sweet and beautiful as the attraction."

Nanjing also offers marriage registrations at scenic spots including the Confucius Temple, Mochou Lake and Gulou Park. Couples registering at the temple's Xifu Hall can get a free Ming Dynasty-style wedding ceremony, as if they were actually living between 1368 and 1644. The ceremony has become all the buzz online.

At the Qiandao Lake Scenic Area in Chun'an county of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, couples can complete the entire marriage process of registration, certification and photography in one stop.

To attract more couples, the county has introduced a series of preferential policies: Couples who register in Chun'an get year-round free admission to major scenic spots, such as Qiandao Lake and Longchuan Bay. Those registering on or after May 10 receive discounts at 17 dining and accommodation establishments, including high-end hotels, boutique homestays and trendy restaurants.

"Qiandao Lake boasts unparalleled landscapes," said Huang Yaqin, deputy director of Chun'an culture, radio, television, tourism and sports bureau. "By relocating the marriage registration center to the 5A scenic area, we aim to make the marriage certification process more than just stamping papers."

By creating premium travel routes and honeymoon packages, Qiandao Lake can serve as a witness to bliss. And this "sweet economy" will serve as a new engine for local development, Huang said.

Wang Jinwei, professor at the School of Tourism Sciences of Beijing International Studies University, said that the new rules of marriage registration reflects improvement of public service and governance system of China, based on the background of population mobility.

Wang said by combining marriage registration with tourism, it can boost regional economy, complete the industrial chain, and stimulate consumption especially during off-peak season.

"Now young people pay attention to all processes of marriage, which begins with registration. They want to add a sense of ceremony and enjoy enhanced experiences spiritually, and the services many cities offer meet their demands," he said.