Is divorce allowed in China?
Noah Mitchell
Published Jan 23, 2026
In China, even if you married yesterday, you are entitled to apply for divorce today if you believe your marriage has irretrievably broken-down. However, if a husband and wife do not agree to divorce, the Chinese court may suggest reconciliation.
How common is divorce in China?
The divorce rate in China has soared from around 0.96 divorces per 1,000 people in 2000 to 3.36 divorces in 2019. This is a quite high value compared to the divorce rate of countries in the Asia Pacific region.
Is it hard to divorce in China?
Although it is increasingly difficult to get married, divorce is getting easier. Official statistics show that the number of registered divorces in China increased from 2.7 million in 2010 to 4.7 million in 2019 – up by a whopping 75.5% in a decade.
How is a divorce handled in China?
Both parties must be agreeable to the divorce. Both parties must be agreeable on issues relating to custody of children and division of assets. Parties' marriage must be registered in China. Parties' must have full legal capacity pursuant to civil law.
Why is divorce in China so high?
Divorces have been steadily increasing in China over recent years, due in part to reduced social stigma and greater autonomy for women, with wives instigating more than 70% of divorces, according to the All-China Women's Federation.
24 related questions foundCan you live in China permanently?
With permanent presidency, the foreigner is allowed to live and work in China without any restriction – they do not need to apply for other residence and work permits, nor do they need additional visas to enter and exit China.
Can foreigners get divorced in China?
ELIGIBILITY TO DIVORCE
Two foreigners can get divorced in China no matter where they got married. (More on this below.) A foreigner married to a Chinese citizen either in China or abroad can get a divorce in China even if neither spouse currently lives in China.
Can I live in China if I marry?
In the same way a foreigner has no automatic right to live in China because he or she has married a Chinese. However, starting from June 1, 2010, foreigners who have Chinese spouse living in China are eligible to apply for a Family Visit Visa/Residence Permit with longer duration of stay here.
Does China recognize marriage in other countries?
Getting Married in China. As of April 1, 2019, two foreigners are not allowed to register their marriage at Civil Affairs offices in China (marriages between a foreigner and Chinese national are still permitted.) This means that two foreigners can no longer obtain a Chinese marriage certificate.
Does China have alimony?
There is no spousal support or Alimony in China. According to Spousal Support (Alimony) Basics on Findlaw.com, when a married couple gets a divorce, the court may award “alimony” or spousal support to one of the former spouses, based either on an agreement between the couple or a decision by the court itself.
What is divorce rate in China 2021?
Officials said 2.1 million couples successfully completed divorce registrations in 2021, a 43 percent decline from 3.7 million in 2020. Other experts say additional factors may have been at play.
What country has the highest divorce rate 2020?
According to data from the United Nations and other sources, the country with the highest divorce rate in the world in 2020 was the Maldives, which recorded 2984 divorces against a population of 540,544, resulting in a divorce rate of 5.52 per 1000 people.
At what age do Chinese get married?
Statistics show both genders are delaying marriage. From 1990 to 2016, the average age for first marriages rose from 22 to 25 for Chinese women, and from 24 to 27 for Chinese men, according to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
What is the marriage age in China?
The minimum age for marriage is raised to 22 for the man and 20 for the woman, although in practice even later marriage is encouraged. Late marriage and late childbirth are emphasized as part of China's attempt to limit its population growth.
Can you have more than one wife in China?
No. China carries out the monogamous marriage system. The act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another are called bigamy in China, which is invalid and also constitutes a crime.
How long does it take to get a divorce in China?
How long does expat divorce in China take? Under the Procedural Law of PRC, a domestic case that is settled using the summary procedure takes between 3 and 6 months. In international cases that may involve service of documents overseas, and collection of evidence overseas, the length of the divorce may be more.
Why is marriage important in China?
“The Chinese government sees marriage and family as the basic cell of society,” explains Hong Fincher. “They see marriage between a man and a woman as a politically stabilizing institution.” For parents and other elders, too, marriage is seen as a marker of normalcy and the most significant milestone of adulthood.
How are divorce papers served in China?
Direct service to the party is the most reliable method to serve the documents properly and efficiently under Chinese law. If the person on whom the documents are to be served is a citizen, the documents shall be served directly on him/her.
What do I need to marry a Chinese girl?
(1) A current passport (2) Alien residence permit (3) A health certificate from a local hospital designated by the marriage registration office (4) Three photos of the marrying couple, taken together (5) A registration fee (6) A certificate of marriageability. Item 6 requires further explanation.
How do I get divorced if I get married in China?
If your marriage registered in China, then you can go to the same registry bureau applying for divorce, ONLY if you have reached agreement on divorce, property severance, and child support. This way is fastest and you do not have to waste your time.
Can Chinese buy property in China?
A foreigner can only own one property in China, and that property must be residential. There are additional requirements by province and city. For example, in Beijing, you must pay taxes and social security for at least five years before you are permitted to buy a property.
What is a green card in China?
The Chinese “Green Card” is China's permanent resident ID card, which allows foreigners to have a prolonged residence period compared to work visas. In February 2020, the Chinese government released an Exposure Draft, containing several updates for the eligibility for applying for the green card.
Does China give citizenship?
Citizenship of China can be acquired in several ways: by birth, by descent, or by naturalization. Citizenship by birth: Birth within the territory of the PRC does not automatically confer citizenship. The exception is a child born to unknown or stateless parents.