China Simplifies Marriage and Divorce Procedures, Eliminates Household Registration Requirement

The revised ordinance includes measures such as increasing marriage and family services, implementing a nationwide marriage registration system, and optimizing marriage registration services. Applicants for marriage registration will need to provide their identity card and a signed declaration stating they are single and not closely related to their partner. This move is intended to push related public services to be more mobile and increase the convenience of marriage registration.

The new policy has been met with both enthusiasm and apprehension. On one hand, it simplifies the process of getting married and divorced, giving individuals greater autonomy over their marital decisions. This deregulation can potentially increase the marriage rate, which has been a concern in recent years due to declining numbers. By removing the requirement for a household registration book, the process becomes more streamlined, allowing couples to make decisions about their future without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.

However, there are concerns about the potential consequences of impulsive marriages and divorces. Without the need for a household registration book, some fear that couples may rush into marriages without fully considering the implications, leading to instability in marriages and potentially higher divorce rates. Moreover, there is a worry about the increase in multiple births and abandonment, as the ease of marriage and divorce might lead to irresponsible family planning.

Critics argue that while the intention behind the policy is to boost marriage and birth rates, the government must also consider the potential fallout and ensure that there are adequate support systems in place for families and children who may be affected by hasty marital decisions. This includes social services, financial support, and educational resources to help families navigate the challenges of modern marriage and parenthood.

Proponents, however, see this move as a step towards recognizing and respecting individual rights and freedoms, particularly in the realm of personal and family decisions. They believe that by reducing bureaucratic barriers, the government is promoting a more liberal and progressive approach to marriage and family planning, which could have long-term benefits for societal cohesion and economic growth.

The new regulation is expected to bring convenience to those who have been unable to marry or divorce due to forgotten or withheld household registration documents. However, some experts and concerned citizens are worried that the relaxed requirements may lead to an increase in human trafficking and underage marriages. Without the need for a household registration document, it may become easier for individuals to marry multiple times or engage in sham marriages, potentially exploiting vulnerable individuals, including children and women.

As the new regulation comes into effect, it remains to be seen how it will impact society and whether the benefits of increased convenience will outweigh the potential risks. The government and relevant authorities will need to closely monitor the situation and take measures to prevent any negative consequences, ensuring that the new regulation serves the best interests of all individuals involved.

To address concerns about the potential increase in bigamy and fraudulent marriages, the government has implemented a real-time online registration system and a marriage registration management information system that allows for nationwide data sharing. This will enable authorities to verify the identities of individuals and prevent such incidents. The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security have jointly issued a notice on sharing information from the national population basic information library, which will help to prevent bigamy and fraudulent marriages.

The introduction of a "cooling-off period" for divorce is also a significant development, aimed at reducing impulsive and hasty divorces. The Ministry of Civil Affairs will continue to guide local authorities in optimizing divorce registration services and providing marriage and family counseling services to reduce the number of impulsive and hasty divorces.

In the future, it is expected that the government will continue to strengthen its efforts to provide marriage and family counseling services, including pre-marital education, marriage and family relationship adjustment, and divorce intervention. The goal is to help individuals fully understand their responsibilities and obligations in marriage and family, learn how to resolve marital and family crises, and promote harmonious and stable marriages and families. Ultimately, the impact of this policy will depend on how effectively the government can balance the need for individual freedom with the necessity of protecting vulnerable members of society.