What do I need to arrange if I want to marry in China?
If you are a Dutch national planning to marry in China, you will need to provide certain documents. And you may need to meet extra requirements.
Can I get married in China?
Ask the organisation that you want to perform the marriage in China if you are allowed to marry there as a Dutch national.
You can only get married in China if you and/or your partner are Chinese nationals. If neither of you is a Chinese national, you cannot get married in China.
Same-sex couples cannot get married in China.
You can get married at the Marriage Registration Office of the Civil Affairs Bureau (民政局婚姻登记处) in the place where you or your partner are registered. This office can also provide more information about the requirements for marrying in China. You cannot get married at the Dutch embassy.
Requirements for getting married for Dutch nationals
If you are a Dutch national and you want to marry, you must meet the following requirements:
- You and your partner must be 18 or older. If you are under 18 and you marry abroad, the Dutch authorities will not recognise your marriage until you and your partner are both 18.
- You and your partner must not already be married to or have a registered partnership with someone else.
- If you are under guardianship, you will need the permission of your guardian or of the limited jurisdiction judge (‘kantonrechter’).
- The following family members are not allowed to marry each other or enter into a registered partnership with each other: parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and brothers and sisters.
What documents do I need to marry in China?
To get married in China you will need the following documents:
A declaration of marital status shows that you are unmarried. To get this document, you will need to submit a number of other documents. You must have the declaration translated to Chinese bij an official translation agency in the municipality where you are getting married.
More information about applying for a declaration of marital status
The Marriage Registration Office of the Civil Affairs Bureau (民政局婚姻登记处) can provide more information about the documents you need to get married in China.
Is my marriage valid in the Netherlands?
Marriages performed in China are recognised in the Netherlands. But you must have your marriage certificate legalised.
Do I have to register my marriage in the Netherlands?
You may need to register your marriage in the Netherlands. This depends on where you live.
If you live in the Netherlands, you must register your marriage with your municipality. You will need your marriage certificate to do this. First have your marriage certificate translated and legalised.
More information about having documents from China legalised
If you live outside the Netherlands, you can have your marriage certificate converted into a Dutch certificate by the municipality of The Hague. This is not mandatory, but it can be useful if you ever need an extract in the future.
More information about registering a foreign marriage certificate in the Netherlands