Couples in China are saying ‘I do’ in unconventional venues like banks, malls and metro stations

Since May 2025, Chinese couples have been allowed to register their marriages at any civil affairs office nationwide, ending a decades-long rule requiring couples to register their marriages in their hometowns.

Local governments have set up marriage registration offices at various locations and venues like popular scenic spots and parks, music festivals – and even in shopping malls.

Chinese media reports of couples tying the knot at the bank in Tianjin have garnered public attention.

On the Sina Weibo microblogging site, the hashtag “you can now get your marriage certificate at a bank” topped the site’s Hot Search List, drawing nearly 110 million views as of Monday (Aug 17).

A Weibo user by the handle Shen Yi thought the news was fake.  “Turns out it’s real,” she said.

“Does this mean that in the future, marriage rates will become a KPI for bank employees?”

Another user Ying Jiu wrote: “That’s great – much more convenient to get married now. Except, when will getting divorced be this convenient too?”