China Revises Marriage Registration Regulations to Enhance Privacy and Streamline Process

One of the key revisions is the deletion of the requirement for mainland residents to provide their household registration book when registering for marriage. This move aims to further promote the "cross-provincial registration" reform, which allows couples to register for marriage in any province, regardless of their household registration location. The introduction of a "cooling-off period" for divorce registrations is another significant revision, aiming to reduce impulsive divorces, but exemptions will be made for special cases such as domestic violence.

The revisions also aim to improve the efficiency and convenience of marriage registration, with the goal of achieving "nationwide registration" in the future. This will enable couples to register for marriage in any location, without being restricted by their household registration. The government plans to achieve this by perfecting the national marriage information database, enhancing information sharing, and promoting the standardization and streamlining of marriage registration services.

The passage of the revised Marriage Registration Regulations draft will provide a more robust legal guarantee for marriage registration, which is conducive to boosting the marriage rate and promoting family harmony. The revised draft emphasizes the importance of network information security, requiring registration authorities to strictly protect the personal information of parties involved in marriage registration and not disclose sensitive information.

The public's reaction to the passed marriage registration revision draft is mixed. Some people view the changes as a positive step towards simplifying the marriage registration process and safeguarding the privacy of couples. Others, however, express concerns that the introduction of a divorce cooling-off period may not be sufficient to prevent family disputes and tragedies. Lawyer Xu Lu's suggestions include the abolition of household registration requirements for marriage and the enhancement of information sharing through a national marriage database. Furthermore, Xu Lu recommends that couples undergo pre-marital health checks, which, although not obligatory, could be beneficial in detecting health issues early on, with some communities even offering these services for free.

The move is expected to have a positive impact on the social and familial landscape of the country. By improving the efficiency and convenience of marriage registration, the government aims to encourage more couples to formalize their relationships, which can lead to a more stable and harmonious family environment. Moreover, the emphasis on protecting personal information will help to reassure couples that their private details will be safeguarded, reducing the risk of identity theft or other forms of cybercrime. The revised regulations also reflect the government's commitment to building a more modern and inclusive society, where individuals have greater freedom to choose their own path in life.