China eases marriage registration rules, sees 500,000 out-of-town weddings in a year
China has abolished the policy restricting marriage registration to the place of household registration, allowing nationwide processing. Over 500,000 couples married outside their hometowns in the first year, boosting marriage rates and creating a 'sweet economy' worth trillions of yuan.
China has abolished its long-held policy restricting marriage registration to the place of household registration, allowing couples to register nationwide in a bid to tackle the persistently low marriage rate. One year into the new system, more than 500,000 couples have chosen to marry in locations other than their household registration places, signalling a rebound in the marriage rate, according to East Week, a sister publication of The Standard.
Before the revision of the Marriage Registration Regulations in October 2025, marriage records were not nationally networked, forcing couples to register where either partner's household was situated. For the more than 180 million people who left their hometowns for work for an average of over six months each year in 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, returning home for registration proved a hassle.
With the new regulations, couples can marry locally without spending excessive time and money on travel, removing a major deterrent to tying the knot. Consequently, marriage registrations have spiked in popular wedding destinations. Qingdao saw a 28 per cent increase in the first year compared to the previous 12 months, while Nanjing recorded a 15 per cent increase.
Local governments have quickly capitalised on the rising marriage trend by moving registration services to tourist hotspots, boosting tourism through marriage-related activities. In the month the regulations were implemented, Nanjing relocated its Xuanwu marriage registration office to the 'heart-shaped' Huanzhou Island, creating a popular romantic landmark.
The Xuanwu district also launched a 'romantic travel map' connecting 21 related landmarks where newlyweds can enjoy discounts on over 150 services, including wedding photography, hotels and restaurants, by presenting their marriage certificates. According to analysts, the boom in wedding-related activities has generated a 'sweet economy' worth trillions of yuan for a single marriage certificate.