Suzhou Expat - The expatriate portal in China

I would like to find out what I need in the form of documentation to marry a Chinese Citizen in China. I am an Australian who recently returned back to Australia after a lengthy work assignment in China. I am not a resident foreigner (ie. don't have residency status in China). Can anyone provide me more precise information as to the documentation I need from Australia to avoid any difficulties when going through the marriage application process in China. I am aware that the application needs to be lodged throught the Nanjing Marriage Registry Office and that I need my passport and paperwork from Australia showing marital status.

Hi John,

I'm a UK citizen married to a lady from ZhanJiang (February 2007).

I don't know what the Australian requirements are (for the UK it was horrendous) but for the Chinese authorities, I had to provide a notarised certificate from a solicitor, the solicitor had to be verified by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the official therr had to be verified by the Chines Consulate in Manchester (my nearest consulate).

Because it was in English, the boss of the agency who introduced us was there to translate the statement of "singleness" (and put his "chop" on the translation).

There was no ceremony, no witnesses, no family just a lot of forms to sign. By the way you will need several passport sized photographs of you both (together) for the two certificate booklets and the Notarised certificate confirming your married status, which is translated.

You will have to pay a fee for both ceremony and notarisation.

After the ceremony (for want of a better word) we went shopping and a meal together in the evening. The following evenings however were filled with banquets and feasts for family and friends

Best wishes in your quest

Chris

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