In a significant move to accommodate its increasingly mobile population, China announced that couples will soon be able to register their marriages anywhere in the country, regardless of their household registration, or “hukou.”
The Ministry of Civil Affairs revealed on Saturday that revised regulations will allow couples to choose a marriage registry office in the habitual residence of either partner. This change eliminates the need to return to one’s hukou location—a requirement that often posed logistical and financial challenges, especially for those living or working far from their hometowns.
This reform aims to address the needs of millions who have migrated for work or education, a trend particularly notable among younger generations. According to the latest national census, about 493 million people in China lived away from their hukou location in 2020, an increase of 88.52% from ten years earlier.
A pilot program for inter-provincial marriage registration began in June 2021 and expanded to 21 provincial-level regions, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Inner Mongolia. By February 2023, approximately 492,000 couples had benefited from the initiative.
The nationwide rollout is made possible through the digitalization of the marriage registration system. A comprehensive national marriage information database now enables civil affairs agencies across the country to share data seamlessly.
To further streamline the process, the Ministry of Civil Affairs plans to enhance digital infrastructure for online appointments and inter-provincial data verification. These improvements aim to provide a smoother experience for couples, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and embracing the realities of a modern, mobile society.
