China mulls solemnization at marriage registries

Email|Print|Comments       twitter     facebook     Sina Microblog     reddit    

Chinese authorities are considering providing solemnization services at marriage registration offices, an official with the Ministry of Civil Affairs has revealed.

Instead of a brief process of form filling, approval and certificate issuance that typically can be finished within a minute, the ministry is mulling whether to provide a certificate-presenting ceremony at more registration offices in China, Xu Liyang said on Monday.

With the couple's consent, a registrar and presenter will act as a marriage witness and lead the new bride and groom to utter their wedding vows in a special ritual hall, and the couple will be informed of their rights and obligations as a wife or husband.

It is hoped that through such solemnization procedures, the newlyweds will get an understanding of their responsibilities and commitments in marriage, Xu said.

A free ceremony for marriage registration is now available in registries in Shanghai, Shandong, Hubei and Beijing, and the ministry is considering expanding the program to more places in China, Xu added.

• Employment pressures affect young Chinese love lives
• Date 'golden bachelor': seeking marriage or money
• Lonely hearts get lessons in love
• Living with a Chinese wife
• An expat's dating class in China
• Lovebirds separate when the going gets rough

We Recommend

• Helicopters, tanks seen during China-Russia joint drill
• SWAT members in Shenyang offer fast defense training class
• Dettifoss: Europe's most powerful waterfall
• Argentina's president voices support of ruling party
• 3D painting, new way to promote apartment sale
• Review: Asian Men's Basketball Championship