According to the Article 13 of the Hunan Permanent Residents Registration Management Measures (Issued by Hunan Province Government General Office [2016] No.12), for infants born in Hunan, their parents should apply for birth registration within 30 days after they are born. For foreign infants born in China without nationality, where one of the parents are a Chinese citizen, and the other is a foreigner or stateless person, their parents or agents should go through the formalities for birth registration for them. The original and the copy of the Certificate of Birth in Hunan of the child, their parents’ marriage certificate/illegitimate birth statement, and the guardian’s Chinese household registration book are required.

According to the article 40 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Entry and Exit, for foreign infants born in China, their parents or agents shall, within 60 days after they are born, on the strength of the birth certificates, go through the formalities for stay or residence registration for them with the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under people’s governments at or above the county level in the places of their parents’ stay or residence.

Updated on August 30, 2018

The persons marrying must be of marriageable age: for men that is 22 years or older and for women 20 years or older, except that persons may marry younger with parental permission.  Persons must not be married to another person at the time of marriage: having more than one husband or wife in any country is not permitted under Chinese law.  Marriages can only be between a male and a female, not two persons of the same gender.

Both the man and woman who are inland residents and planning to get married shall go and complete the formalities at the marriage registration authority that has jurisdiction over the place where the permanent household of one of them is registered.

As for Chinese citizens who are going to get married with foreigners in Chinese mainland and Chinese inland residents who are planning to get married with Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan residents or overseas Chinese in Chinese mainland, both the man and woman shall go and complete the formalities at the marriage registration authority that has jurisdiction over the place where the permanent household of the Chinese inland resident is registered.

Marriage registration authority: Foreign-related Marriage Registration Office, Department of Civil Affairs of Hunan Province

Opening hours: Monday-Friday (except statutory holidays)

                8:30-12:00; 13:30-17:30 (Autumn: July 1-September 30)

                8:30-12:00; 13:00-17:00 (Winter: October 1 - June 30 next year)

Address: 5/F, Office Building 2, Department of Civil Affairs of Hunan Province, No. 276, Dongfeng Road, Kaifu District, Changsha

Telephone: 0731-84502169; 0731-84502080

Note: Hong Kong and Macao resident who wants to get married with a Hunanese from Changsha, Chenzhou, Shaoyang, or Yongzhou city can have the registration done at the above mentioned office. Otherwise, they will have the registration done at specific city’s marriage registration office.

Required Materials:

1. Chinese inland residents applying for marriage registration shall provide the following certificates and documents:

(1) His/her household registration and ID card;

(2) Signed statement on his/her marriageability and proof that they are not directly or indirectly related to each other within the past three generations.

2. Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan residents applying for marriage registration shall provide the following certificates and documents:

(1) His/her valid exit-entry permit and ID card;

(2) Statement on his/her marriageability and proof that they are not directly or indirectly related to each other within the past three generations provided by the notary public office located in where he/she is domiciled.

3. Overseas Chinese applying for marriage registration shall provide the following certificates and documents:

(1) His/her valid passport;

(2) Certificate of his/her marriageability and proof that they are not directly or indirectly related to each other within the past three generations provided by the notary public office or competent authority located in the residence country and certified by the consulate of the People’s Republic of China in the residence country, or certificate of his/her marriageability and proof that they are not directly or indirectly related to each other within the past three generations provided by the consulate of the People’s Republic of China in the residence country.

4. Foreigners applying for marriage registration shall provide the following certificates and documents:

(1) His/her valid passport or other valid international travel documents;

(2) Certificate of his/her marriageability issued by the notary public office or competent authority of his/her country and certified by the consulate of the People’s Republic of China in his/her country, or certified by the consulate of his/her country in China, or certificate of his/her marriageability issued by the consulate of his/her country in China.

Tip: This article is only for your reference. More information, please inquire the authority mentioned above.

Chinese source: zwfw-new.hunan.gov.cn

Part of the English source is from english.www.gov.cn.

Item: Divorce Registration Between Hunan Residents and  Foreigners, Overseas Chinese, or Residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan

Legal Basis:

Marriage Law of the People’s Republic of China (Revised by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on April 28, 2001) 

Regulation on Marriage Registration (Order of the State Council No.387 [2003]) 

Interim Regulations of Marriage Registration (Promulgated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China on September 24, 2003 and revised on December 8, 2015) 

Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China

According to Article 31 divorce shall be allowed if both husband and wife are willing to divorce. Both parties shall apply to the marriage registration authority for divorce. The marriage registration authority issues a certificate of divorce after confirming that both parties are indeed willing to divorce and have made proper arrangements for their children and have properly disposed of their property. 

According to Article 35, if, after divorce, both parties desire to resume their husband-and-wife relationship, they shall go through the registration procedures at the marriage registration authority. 

Regulation on Marriage Registration

According to the second paragraph of Article 2, the organ in charge of marriage registration for the marriage between a Chinese citizen and a foreigner, or between a mainland citizen and a citizen of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (hereinafter referred to as a Hong Kong resident), a citizen of the Macao Special Administrative Region (hereinafter referred to as a Macao resident), a citizen of the Taiwan Region (hereinafter referred to as a Taiwan resident) or an overseas Chinese, shall be the civil administration department of the people's government of the province (autonomous region, municipality) or the organ fixed by that department.

According to the second paragraph of Article 10, for the voluntary divorce in China's mainland between a Chinese citizen and a foreigner, or between a mainland citizen and a citizen of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or an overseas Chinese, the man and woman shall appear together to go through the divorce registration at the marriage registration organ in the locality where the mainland citizen has his / her residence registration.

Conditions for Acceptance:

According to the provisions in Regulations on Marriage Registration:

1. The marriage registration authority has jurisdiction over the place where the permanent household of the Chinese inland resident is registered;

2. Both the man and woman shall go and complete the formalities at the marriage registration authority;

3. One party shall be a resident of Hunan Province and the other shall be a foreigner, an overseas Chinese, a Chinese living abroad or a Taiwan resident; 

4. Both parties shall have full capacity for civil acts.

5. Both parties hold the marriage certificate issued by a marriage registration institution in mainland China or a Chinese Embassy（Consulate）in other country.

Documents and certificates required for divorce registration:

1. Chinese inland resident seeking divorce shall produce the following certificates and documents:

(1) His/her original census register book (Hukoubu) and Identification Card （ID card）;

(2) His/her marriage certificate; 

(3) Divorce agreement signed by both parties;（Three copies of divorce agreement reached by both parties respectively. If it is in English version, the translation should be done by designated translation agency, with its seal stamped.）and,

(4) Two recent 2-inch half-length bareheaded single photos.

2. Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan residents, overseas Chinese or foreigners applying for divorce shall produce the following certificates and documents:

(1) His/her marriage certificate;

(2) Divorce agreement signed by both parties.

(3) Two recent 2-inch half-length bareheaded single photos.

Apart from the certificates and documents specified above, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan residents applying for divorce shall also produce his/her valid exit-entry permit and ID card, while the overseas Chinese or foreigners seeking divorce shall also produce his/her valid passport or other valid international travel documents.

Divorce agreement shall record both parties’intention of voluntary divorce and consensus on issues of bringing-up children, property and liability.

Procedures:

Divorce registration shall follow the procedures of first review, acceptance, checkup and registration (issuing the certificate):

1. First review: To check if both parties have all the necessary relevant certificates and documents and if the applied item is within the term of reference of the department that accepts the application; when the certificates and documents are not complete, the applicants shall be informed on the spot.

2. Acceptance:

(1) To explain to both parties the conditions for divorce registration according to the marriage law;

(2) To ask the parties if they consent to get divorced and if they are satisfied with the divorce agreement;

(3) If they do consent to get divorced and have reached agreement on child custody and property and debt problems, each of them is to fill in a copy of Statement of Divorce Registration Application;

(4) The couple shall sign their names on the divorce agreement themselves with the registrar as the witness.

3. Checkup: The registrar is to check the certificates, the statement for divorce registration and the divorce agreement submitted by both parties to make sure they meet the requirements and fill in the Form for divorce Registration Checkup and the divorce certificate.

4. Registration: The registrar shall check over the divorce certificate carefully after the form is filled out.

5. Issuing the certificate: The divorce certificate shall be issued at the presence of both parties:

(1) To verify the names, birthdays and divorce wish of both parties;

(2) To inform both parties of their legal nexus, their relations with the child and obligations after they get the divorce certificate;

(3) To witness that both parties sign their names themselves in “signature or fingerprint of parties getting the divorce certificate” of the Form for Divorce Registration Checkup;

(4) To write off the marriage certificate of both parties;

(5) To issue the divorce certificate to each party and announce to both parties that they have got the divorce certificate and their conjugal relationship is ended.

Divorce Registration Time limit

When the relevant documents are fully presented, the applicants shall be allowed to register and the divorce certificate shall be issued right away. 

Office Hours and Address:

1.Foreign-related Marriage Registration Office, Department of Civil Affairs of Hunan Province(湖南省民政厅涉外婚姻登记处)

Opening hours: Monday-Friday (except statutory holidays)

                8:30-12:00; 13:30-17:30 (Autumn: July 1-September 30)

                8:30-12:00; 13:00-17:00 (Winter: October 1 - June 30 next year)

Address: 5/F, Office Building 2, Department of Civil Affairs of Hunan Province, No. 276, Dongfeng Road, Kaifu District, Changsha

Telephone: 0731-84502080

Buses: No.112, No.136, No.150, No.302, No.901, No.146

Bus Stop: Xiada Long

2.Hong Kong and Macao resident who wants to get divorced with a Hunanese from Changsha, Chenzhou, Shaoyang, or Yongzhou city can have the registration done at the above mentioned office. Otherwise, they will have the registration done at specific city’s marriage registration office.

Chinese source: zwfw-new.hunan.gov.cn; gov.cn

I Eligibility

An individual applicant must have invested directly or continuously over 500,000 US dollars (registered capital) in the past three years in the industry, which is promoted by government on the National Foreign Enterprises Industry Instruction Category, and establish a foreign enterprise in Changsha. The applicant’s name should be indicated in the investor column of Foreign Invested Enterprise`s Approval Document and Certificate. The applicant must have invested directly or continuously in China for the past three years, his/her registered capital amounts to over US$2 million for three years and established a foreign enterprise in Changsha. The applicant’s name should be indicated in the investor column of Foreign Invested Enterprise`s Approval Document and Certificate.

II Application Documents

1. Valid passport and visa (original and copy);

2. Four recent 2-inch passport photos with pale blue background;

3. Certificate of non-criminal record in home country (taken within the past six months and original) and certificate of Non-Criminal Record in foreign country approved by the Chinese Embassy in that country (taken within the past six months and original);

4. Physical Examination Report issued by Hunan Exit & Entry Inspection & Quarantine Bureau or medical services abroad recognized by Chinese overseas embassies and consulates (taken within the past six months);

5. Foreign Invested Enterprise`s Approval Document and Certificate (original and copy); the applicant’s name should be indicated in the investor column.

6. Business License Duplicate (original and copy) which has passed annual inspection by Changsha Industrial and Commercial Administration Bureau for the past three years;

7. Assessment Report issued by governmental audit department or other relative authorities (original and copy);

8. Certificate of Personal Tax-Paid for the past three years issued by the Changsha Revenue Bureau (including Income Tax, House Property Tax, Car and Ship Tax, Stamp Tax and Contract Tax);

9. A Confirmation Letter for Foreign-Invested Industry Promoted by Government issued by National Development and Reform Commission or Hunan Development and Reform Commission (with original);

10. Marriage Certificate of accompanying spouse (original and copy), health certificate (taken within the past six months), Certificate of non-criminal record in home country and original certificate of non-criminal record in foreign country (taken within the past six months), valid passport and visa (original and copy)

11. Birth Certificate or Kinship Certificate for accompanying children under 18, if applicable (original and copy);

12. Resume of applicant (with no gaps)

13. Fill in the application of certificate of permanent residence in black ink;

14. if the applicant is a Chinese with Foreign Nationality, citizenship certificate and passport used for nationalization and Cancellation Certification of Household registration issued by police station;

15. Other required certificates.

Employees of China government

1. Qualifications

Foreigners who have worked in departments of the State Council, agencies under the Provincial People’s Government, enterprises or institutions proceeding key state projects or key research projects, held the post of vice-general manager, deputy factory director, or served as associate professors, associate researchers or higher or equivalent positions and remained in the position for four consecutive years with the accumulative residence in Changsha up to no less than three years during this period as well as kept good tax records are qualified to apply for permanent residence.

2. Materials

(1) Photocopy of valid passport and valid visa (to carry with original copy).

(2) Four recent color photos, two inches, half-length, bareheaded, front view, with light-blue background.

(3) Photocopy of CNCC (“Certificate of No Criminal Conviction”) outside China identified by the Chinese embassy and consulate in the original country (not earlier than six months before application, to carry with original copy); photocopy of notarized CNCC in China (not earlier than six months before application, to carry with original copy).

(4) “Health Certificate” issued by the Hunan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau or “health certificate” issued by any foreign health care and medical institutions(not earlier than six months before application).

(5) “Duty- Paid Proof” of four consecutive years issued by the Changsha Municipal Office of State Administration of Taxation (including income tax, urban real estate tax, vehicle and vessels use tax, stamp tax and deed tax).

(6) “Certificate of Position” or “Certificate of Professional Title” provided by applicant’s present working units.

(7)Photocopy of “Foreign Expert Certificate” and “Employment Certificate of Foreigner” (to carry with original copy).

(8) “Registration Certificate” and “Annual Inspection” of present working units.

(9)Applicants who work in enterprise or institution proceeding key state project or key research project shall submit supporting documents of the project approved by the provincial or departmental administrative authorities.

(10)Applicant accompanied by spouse shall submit the photocopy of Marriage Certificate (to carry with original copy), the spouse’s “Health Certificate” (not earlier than six months before application), notarized CNCC outside China (not earlier than six months before application), original copy of CNCC in China (not earlier than six months before application) and photocopy of the spouse’s valid passport and valid visa (to carry with original copy).

(11)Applicants accompanied by children under 18 shall submit photocopy of children’s “Birth Certificate” or “Proof of Parent-Child Relationship” (to carry with original copy).

(12) Applicant’s personal resume (from college to present on a continuous basis).

(13) To fill in the permanent residence application form in black ink.

(14) If the applicant is an overseas Chinese, “Naturalization Certificate”, passport used for naturalization, “Certification of Household Registration Write-off” issued by police station shall be submitted.

(15) Other certificates where necessary.

 1. Application Qualifications:

Unmarried children aged under 18 years old who come to China to live with their parents can apply for Permanent Residence in China if they meet the following conditions:

(1) One or both of their parents is or are Chinese citizen(s) and have household registration in China, or one or both of their parents is or are alien(s) with permanent residence status in China;

(2) Confirmed to have foreign nationality.

2. Required Materials

(1) Original and copy of applicant’s valid passport and visa;

(2) Original and copy of “Birth Certificate” or “Paternity Certificate” issued by public security and judicial organs;

(3) Original and copy of certificate of adoption shall be submitted in case of adoptive relations;

(4) Original and copy of identification card, certificate of household registration in Changsha, passport and proof of once acquired settlement eligibility in foreign countries of their Chinese parents;

(5) Original and copy of the Certificate of Permanent Residence of their parents of foreign nationality;

(6) Original and copy of Marriage Certificate, and where the parents are divorced, original and copy of proof of guardianship, such as court award, shall be submitted;

(7) Four recent 2-inch color photos, showing full-face with no hat, taken against a light blue background;

(8) Parents’ Employment Certificate, Income Certificate, and proof of personal duty payment for three years;

(9) Parent’s certificate of house leasing or property right of the house which have been notarized;

(10) One of the parent’s notarized deposit certificate (The amount shall be no less than 10 years’ minimum living allowance in Changsha City and can be frozen for over six months.)

(11) Applicant and parents’ CV (Parents’ CV shall have no gaps in the time between college and application; Children’s CV shall cover the time between birth and application and parents’ situation at the time of their children’s birth shall also be stated)

(12) Completed “Application Form of Aliens for Permanent Residence in China” (filled out in black ink by parents)

(13) Where the applicant is an overseas Chinese, proof of citizenship, the passport used for naturalization, and the certification of household registration write-off issued by police station shall be submitted;

(14) Other necessary evidences.
 

Permanent Residence for Spouse Reunion

 1. Application Qualifications:

Aliens can apply for Permanent Residence for Spouse Reunion if they meet the following conditions:

(1) Spouses of Chinese citizens or of aliens having obtained permanent residence in China;

(2) Marriage has lasted for five years;

(3) Having lived in China for five years continuously, with the annual stay in China being no shorter than nine months;

(4) Having stable and secured living status and place to live and enjoying good health;

(5) Abiding by Chinese laws.

2. Required Materials

(1) Original and copy of Marriage Certificates;

(2) Original and copy of valid passport and visa

(3) Original and copy of proof of no criminal record abroad and in China, issued within 6 months before the application;

(4) A health certificate issued by Hunan Entry & Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau or the health certificate signed and issued by foreign health and medical institute (The health certificate shall be issued within 6 months before the application.)

(5) Original and copy of identification card and proof of household registration of their Chinese spouses;

(6) Original and copy of the Certificate of Permanent Residence for Aliens of their spouses of foreign nationality;

(7) Notarized deposit certificate of the applicant (minimum living allowance of over ten years in Changsha City and frozen for over six months)

(8) Certificate of house leasing or property right of the house which have been notarized;

(9) Four recent 2-inch color photos, showing full-face with no hat and taken against a light blue background;

(10) Applicant’s CV (having no gaps);

(11) Completed “Application Form of Aliens for Permanent Residence in China” (filled out in black ink)

(12) Where the applicant is an overseas Chinese, proof of citizenship, the passport used for naturalization, and the certification of household registration write-off issued by police station shall be submitted;

(13) Other necessary evidences.