Marriage in Australia
Enquiries should be directed to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state in Australia in which you intend to register your marriage.
Marriage in China (between two non-Chinese citizens)
From 1 April 2019, two non-Chinese citizens can no longer register their marriage in China.
Marriage in China (between an Australian and a Chinese citizen)
The Consulate cannot confirm requirements for marrying in China. Chinese requirements vary between provincial marriage offices and are subject to change. Please contact the marriage bureau in the city where you intend to marry to confirm their current requirements.
Most Chinese provinces require a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI), which can be obtained by appointment at an Australian embassy or consulate. CNIs are issued in English only. At your appointment, you must provide a completed (but unsigned) Application for Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (PDF) and all the following original documents - your passport, your partner’s Chinese passport OR ID, your divorce certificate OR the death certificate of your former spouse, and your partner’s divorce certificate OR the death certificate of their former spouse. Any divorce certificate OR death certificate that is in a language other than English, will need to be translated into English by a registered translation service. Further information, including other documents you may need, is available at Certificates of No Impediment (CNI) to Marriage | Smartraveller.
Following your marriage, you will be issued an official Chinese marriage certificate. If you intend to use your marriage certificate in Australia, you should contact the Chinese Notary Public Office to arrange for an official notarised translation of the certificate.
See Getting married overseas for more information.
Taking your partner to Australia
For information regarding visa and citizenship applications in China (including application fees, forms and how to lodge), please contact the Department of Home Affairs. See also Visas and Citizenship.