American citizens contemplating marriage in China, either to a Chinese citizen or to another foreigner, should review the following general information on Chinese government procedures. Marriages in China are registered according to the laws of China, regardless of the nationality of those being married.

Marriage registration procedures are administered by the marriage registration office of the local civil affairs bureau (Minzhengju) in each jurisdiction. People planning to get married should visit one of these offices for specific information. There may be a fee for this visit. The appropriate civil affairs office will be the one in the jurisdiction in which the Chinese citizen is registered (the location of his or her hukou).

Certain categories of Chinese citizens, such as diplomats, security officials, and others whose work is considered to be crucial to the state, are not legally free to marry foreigners. Chinese students generally are permitted to marry if all the requirements are met, but they should check with their school first.

It also should be noted that at least one school in Beijing has required Chinese students to reimburse the school for hitherto uncharged tuition and other expenses upon withdrawal from school to marry foreigners. Schools in different areas have their own reimbursement standards. A school will not release documents the student needs to register the marriage until the fees are paid. Some work units have also demanded compensation for "lost services."

Upon receipt of an application to register a marriage, the civil affairs office will ascertain that both parties are of minimum marriageability age (generally 22 for men and 20 for women, though a higher minimum may be established by the local civil affairs office) and that both parties are single and otherwise free to marry. People who have been married before will be asked to submit original or certified copies of final divorce or annulment decrees, or of death certificates if widowed.