Marriage registration
The man and the woman desiring to contract a marriage shall register in person with the marriage registration authority. The marriage relationship shall be established as soon as they acquire the marriage certificates.
List of application materials:
1. Three couple photos taken within 6 months (bare-headed, full face, red background), 2 inches;
2. Valid identity documents and relevant proof documents.
Chinese Mainland Residents: Valid permanent residence registration booklet and ID card
Foreigners: Valid passport or other valid international travel documents; single status certificate.
Divorce registration
If the husband and the wife both desire a divorce, they shall sign a divorce agreement in writing and apply to the marriage registration authority in person for divorce registration. Here are the procedures:
(1) Application: If the couple desires a divorce, they shall provide a divorce agreement and apply for divorce registration with their identity documents and relevant proof documents to the marriage registration authority in whose jurisdiction either party has been residing.
(2) Acceptance: The marriage registration authority shall conduct a preliminary review of the identity documents and other proof documents submitted by the concerned parties and the Acceptance Receipt of Application for Divorce Registration shall be issued if the preliminary review finds all documents appropriate.
(3) Cooling-off Period: Within 30 days after receiving the Acceptance Receipt of Application for Divorce Registration, either party who does not desire a divorce may withdraw the application from the registration office by presenting his/her own valid identity documents and filling in the Application Form for Withdrawing Divorce Registration.
(4) Review: Within 30 days after the cooling-off period, the concerned parties shall apply to the marriage registration authority for divorce certificates in person by presenting their valid identity documents and other proof documents.
(5) Registration (issuing divorce certificates): The marriage registration authority shall go through the registration procedures and issue divorce certificates pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations.
List of application materials：
1. Marriage certificates;
2. Valid identity documents and relevant proof documents;
3. Three copies of a divorce agreement signed by the concerned parties in the presence of a marriage registration officer;
4. Two single photos of the concerned parties taken within 6 months (bare-headed, full face, red background), 2 inches;
5. Acceptance Receipt of Application for Divorce Registration.
Replacement of Marriage Registration Certificate
When either concerned party has his/her marriage registration certificate lost or destroyed, or when the personal information on the marriage registration certificate is inconsistent with that on his/her valid identity documents now held, he/she may apply for a replacement of marriage registration certificate.
Here's a list of application materials for replacement of marriage registration certificate:
1. Valid identity documents
Chinese Mainland Residents: Valid permanent residence registration booklet and ID card
Foreigners: Valid passport or other valid international travel documents.
2. Proof documents: A photocopy of the marriage registration record stamped with the official seal of the original handling marriage registration office or the marriage registration archiving authority, or a proof document on the lost record.
3. Photos: When applying for replacement of marriage registration certificates, three couple photos in the size of 2 inches of the concerned parties taken within 6 months (bare-headed, full face, red background) shall be provided;
When applying for replacement of divorce registration certificates, two single photos in the size of 2 inches of the concerned parties taken within 6 months (bareheaded, full face, red background) shall be provided.
Information of Marriage Registration Offices in Guangzhou and Office Hours:
Source: Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office
