When you arrive in China

Both male and female applicants must comply with the Chinese Marriage Law and relevant regulations. They should submit their application form, together with 3 photos taken together along with the following documents to make a "Declaration of Marriage Registration Application".

Foreigners must submit the following Documents in Guanxi Province, inclusive of Nanning City

Passport.
CNI (legalised by the FCO and Chinese Embassy).
CNI by Notary or Local Registry Office if you are Single

The Chinese citizen requires:
ID Card.
Household Book. (Hukou).
CNI (Notarised).
3 x Photos.

Foreigners must submit In Certain parts of China the following.

Passport or other document of personal identity or nationality.
Statutory Declaration
Certificate in relation to the nationality of the former spouse and the duplicate copy. (copy of x-wifes passport).

Local citizens must submit

Identity card
Document of household registration
A Self Declaration of No Impediment to be Married

From 1st October 2003, according to the new Marriage Registration Regulation, there are some changes as follows,
The pre-marriage health check is not compulsory any more. It is optional whether you choose to have a pre-marriage health check or not.

Two foreigners cannot get married in mainland China unless they can provide a certificate issued in their home country confirming that their marriage in China will be recognised in their country. Alternatively, they can still get married in Hong Kong.

The Marriage Certificate will be issued by the Marriage Registry in the same day once they are satisfied that the submitted documents comply with Chinese Marriage Law. The legal relationship of husband and wife is immediately established with acquisition of the marriage certificate.

After the marriage registration please promptly take the marriage certificate and the household register to the local police station to change the marital status.

If you want to return to your country with your Chinese wife as soon as you are married, you have to register the marriage at you're wifes local police authority failing in registration may mean that you will not be able to leave China, it is advisable to register to save any complications when leaving China.

It may seem little bit complicated to westerners in getting married in China, your wife will fully understand procedures and Chinese law on marriage.

Marriages which take place in China are recognised under UK law.

Details of your Chinese marriage certificate can be stored in the United Kingdom's record Office as proof of marriage.