Getting married in China

[Ryan H]

My fianc¨¦e and I will be getting married this February in her hometown. I know I require the following:

 

Passport and Visa (obviously)

 

Affidavit of single status certified by the Secretary of State of my home state (WA in my case) and certification by the Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction for my home state (in my case, that would be SF). I have typed an affidavit that is ready to be printed, signed, and mailed out to appropriate authorities.

 

At least 3 pictures of us together (not a problem )

 

Today, I stumbled across this website stated that said I needed a police report (aka a background report on myself). My immediate reaction was "huh?" In all the research and reading I have done, this is the first time I have encountered something like that. So I am asking those of you who have recently traveled to China to get married and those of you with knowledge of required documents for foreigners getting married, is this report really needed? I would hate to get all the way over there and not have something I need.

 

Thanks in advance.

[dnoblett]

My fiancée and I will be getting married this February in her hometown. I know I require the following:

 

Passport and Visa (obviously)

 

Affidavit of single status certified by the Secretary of State of my home state (WA in my case) and certification by the Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction for my home state (in my case, that would be SF). I have typed an affidavit that is ready to be printed, signed, and mailed out to appropriate authorities.

 

At least 3 pictures of us together (not a problem )

 

Today, I stumbled across this website stated that said I needed a police report (aka a background report on myself). My immediate reaction was "huh?" In all the research and reading I have done, this is the first time I have encountered something like that. So I am asking those of you who have recently traveled to China to get married and those of you with knowledge of required documents for foreigners getting married, is this report really needed? I would hate to get all the way over there and not have something I need.

 

Thanks in advance.

OR you can simply visit a US Consulate in China, the U.S. Citizen services section can issue that "Non Married" doc on the spot, no having to hassle with your home state, and Chinese consulate in the USA.

 

How do I get the Marriageability Affidavit?

 

The U.S. Consulate has the authority to issue Marriageability Affidavitsfor Americans who wish to marry in China. To apply for a Marriageability Affidavit, you are required to apply in person, by appointment, at the U.S. Consulate. Please click here to make an appointment.

 

http://guangzhou.use..._in_china2.html

 

This can be handled at any of the US consulates or embassy in Beijing.

 

No police report needed, however later when USCIS is processing I-130, they may run a report as part of their processing.

Edited December 13, 2010 by dnoblett (see edit history)

[tsap seui]

Ryan, it's no problem getting married in CHIna.

 

Some Chinese marriage bureaus WILL NOT take your single certificate from America....you will wind up going to a consulate anyway....so just go to one and don't take the chance of them not accepting the one from America.

 

You don't need a police certificate from America.

 

I Went to a consulate and had my devorce decrees with me, and was never asked for them, they just took my passport had me sign a paper, wait for a few minutes and had my certificate.

 

The Chinese marriage was a real hoot for me, my wife and I neither one knew if we actually got married on the first day there, turned out, when we went back that was the day of the marriage. I met another guy there and we both laughed our butts off that neither one of us , or our wives knew if we were actualy married that first day.

 

It's all an adventure.

 

Good luck

 

tsap seui

[IKR]

My fiancée and I will be getting married this February in her hometown. I know I require the following:

 

Passport and Visa (obviously)

 

Affidavit of single status certified by the Secretary of State of my home state (WA in my case) and certification by the Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction for my home state (in my case, that would be SF). I have typed an affidavit that is ready to be printed, signed, and mailed out to appropriate authorities.

 

At least 3 pictures of us together (not a problem )

 

Today, I stumbled across this website stated that said I needed a police report (aka a background report on myself). My immediate reaction was "huh?" In all the research and reading I have done, this is the first time I have encountered something like that. So I am asking those of you who have recently traveled to China to get married and those of you with knowledge of required documents for foreigners getting married, is this report really needed? I would hate to get all the way over there and not have something I need.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

The person who wrote the information posted to that website you provided has serious issues with either integrity or, I suspect, extra chromosomes.

 

You do not need a birth certificate. You only need a passport.

 

You do not need any type of police records check.

 

The FBI Standard Fingerprint Form (FD-258) is what is used by virtually every law enforcement agency and there is no mention of "Gold Seal Visa". In addition, state and local police agencies cannot provide national criminal records checks -- only statewide checks. You can send your fingerprint cards directly to the FBI in west Virginia and for an approximately $18 fee they will perform a records check. But then why would you even do that because a records check is totally unnecessary?

 

You can go into US Citizen Services at any US consulate and obtain a "Certificate of Marriagability," which is basically just a sworn statement before a vice-consul. The cost has recently gone up so I think it's something like $50 now. Although you probably could do this back in the States as suggested on the website, most of the time the Chinese marriage office will demand that the form not only be notarized by a notaryt public in the States, but also authenticated by the Chinese consulate serving the area where the certificate was first notarized.

Edited December 13, 2010 by IKR (see edit history)

[Highlander 08 09 10 11]

I went to China in March 2010. Prior to that I had went with the Single Certificate, or whatever it is called, through the Sec of State, and all that, a very time consuming process also. When I got to Chongqing in March, found out the Certificate is only good 6 months there. My girl and I went for a very nice train ride to the Consulate in Chengdu to get a new certificate. Was no problem, just had to show passport and the sworn not married letter I had made out.

[dnoblett]

I know of a person who did the state side certificate of non marriage, in their case they were a resident of D.C. and in this case their cert was signed by the Sec of State, yes the one for the fed government.

Edited December 14, 2010 by dnoblett (see edit history)