China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs has announced sweeping reforms to marriage registration rules, eliminating the decades-old requirement for couples to register in their hukou (household registration) locations. Starting soon, partners can complete the process in any region where either resides permanently—a move set to streamline bureaucracy for millions.
The policy shift addresses growing challenges faced by China’s mobile workforce, particularly younger generations working far from their hometowns. Previously, couples were obligated to return to their registered hometowns for marriage paperwork, incurring travel costs and delays. Over 493 million people lived outside their hukou regions as of 2020, a surge of 88.5% since 2010.
A pilot program launched in 2021 across 21 provinces, including Beijing and Shanghai, has already aided nearly half a million couples. The national rollout leverages a newly developed digital marriage database, enabling real-time data sharing between provinces. The Ministry of Civil Affairs plans further digital upgrades to simplify online appointments and verification.
Analysts note the reform reflects China’s focus on modernizing public services amid rapid urbanization. By reducing administrative barriers, the policy aims to align governance with the realities of a highly mobile population while fostering social stability.
