(ECNS) -- China is expanding marriage registration services to new venues, with some regions now offering registration at banks, scenic spots and cultural events. 

Tianjin’s Hexi District recently opened the city’s first marriage registration site inside a bank. Jointly launched by the district civil affairs bureau and the Tianjin branch of the Postal Savings Bank of China, the site began operations on August 6.

The move is part of broader efforts to make marriage registration services more accessible and convenient.

Besides banks, some cities have introduced other marriage registration venues, including scenic spots and music festivals, while also promoting “marriage registration tourism.”

Revised marriage registration regulations that took effect in May 2025 allow couples to register their marriage across provincial boundaries using only their identity cards.

Meanwhile, measures have also been introduced to reduce marriage-related costs, including cash incentives for newlyweds.

Since 2015, cities such as Hangzhou, Ningbo and Yiwu in Zhejiang Province have launched programs offering marriage consumption vouchers to eligible couples.

(By Helen Mo, intern Liu Shuangjing)