What is the marriage registration process for foreigners in Taiwan?
Getting married in Taiwan as a foreigner involves a specific legal process. Unlike many Western countries, Taiwan does not require a ceremony — marriage becomes official when you register at the household registration office (戶政事務所).
Step-by-step process:
- Obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) — also called a Single Status Certificate or Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry. Get this from your home country's representative office in Taiwan (de facto embassy). Some countries call it a "no record of marriage" certificate.
- Authenticate and translate the CNI — The document must be authenticated by the Taiwan-side representative office (BOCA or MOFA) and translated into Chinese by a certified translator.
- Prepare all required documents (see next section).
- Visit the household registration office together with your Taiwanese partner. Both parties must be present.
- Submit documents and register — The staff will process your registration. If everything is in order, you receive a marriage certificate (結婚證書) the same day.
- Update household registration — Your Taiwanese spouse's household registration will be updated to show the marriage.
Processing time: Same day, assuming all documents are complete and correct.
Fees: Registration is free. The main costs are document authentication (NT$400–1,200) and certified translation (NT$500–2,000).
Important notes:
- Both parties must be at least 18 years old (Taiwan lowered the age of majority from 20 to 18 in 2023).
- You do NOT need to be a resident of Taiwan to get married here — tourist visa holders can register a marriage.
- If you are already married in another country and want your marriage recognized in Taiwan, you still need to register at the household registration office.
What documents are required? (Authentication and translation)
Document requirements depend on your nationality. Here is the general checklist:
For the foreign partner:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Original + photocopy |
| Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) | Issued by your country's representative office in Taiwan |
| Authentication of CNI | By BOCA (Bureau of Consular Affairs) or MOFA |
| Chinese translation of CNI | By a certified translator, notarized |
| Divorce certificate (if applicable) | Authenticated + translated if previously married |
| Death certificate of former spouse (if applicable) | Authenticated + translated |
For the Taiwanese partner:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| National ID card (身分證) | Original |
| Household registration transcript (戶籍謄本) | Within 3 months |
| Personal seal (印章) or signature | Used for registration |
Two witnesses are required. They do not need to be present — their names, ID numbers, and signatures on the marriage registration form are sufficient. Any two adults with valid Taiwan IDs (or ARC holders) can serve as witnesses.
Country-specific notes:
- US citizens: Obtain a sworn affidavit at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). Fee: US$50.
- UK citizens: Obtain a Certificate of No Impediment from the British Office Taipei.
- Japanese citizens: Obtain a 婚姻要件具備証明書 from the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association.
- Philippine citizens: Require a CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage) from PSA, authenticated by TECO Manila.
Pro tip: Call your representative office AND the local household registration office before your visit to confirm the exact documents required. Requirements can vary slightly by nationality and district.
Same-sex marriage in Taiwan
Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage in May 2019. Same-sex couples can register their marriage at any household registration office.
Current rules (as of 2026):
| Situation | Can marry in Taiwan? |
|---|---|
| Two Taiwanese citizens (same sex) | Yes |
| Taiwanese + foreigner from a country that recognizes same-sex marriage | Yes |
| Taiwanese + foreigner from ANY country | Yes (since January 2023, the nationality restriction was removed) |
| Two foreigners (both non-Taiwanese) | Not yet — at least one party must be Taiwanese |
Registration process: The same as heterosexual marriages. Visit the household registration office with the required documents.
Adoption rights: Same-sex married couples in Taiwan can now jointly adopt children (ruling effective May 2023). Previously, only one partner could be the legal parent.
Important: While Taiwan's laws are progressive, some countries may not recognize a same-sex marriage performed in Taiwan. Check your home country's laws regarding recognition of foreign same-sex marriages.
Spouse ARC application after marriage
After registering your marriage, the foreign spouse can apply for a spouse-based ARC (Alien Resident Certificate), also known as a JFRV (Join Family Resident Visa).
Step-by-step:
- Register the marriage at the household registration office (see above).
- Apply for a resident visa — If you are on a visitor visa, you may need to leave Taiwan and apply for a resident visa at a TECO office abroad. Some nationalities can convert their status at NIA (National Immigration Agency) without leaving.
- Apply for ARC at NIA — Bring your passport, resident visa, marriage certificate, spouse's household registration, health check from a designated hospital, photos, and the application form. Fee: NT$1,000–3,000.
- Receive your ARC — Processing takes about 5–10 business days.
Key benefits of spouse-based ARC:
- Open work rights — You can work for any employer without a separate work permit.
- NHI coverage — You are eligible for National Health Insurance immediately (no 6-month waiting period).
- Path to permanent residency — After 3 years of legal residence, you can apply for APRC.
- Path to citizenship — After meeting residency and other requirements, you can apply for ROC nationality.
ARC renewal: Initial ARC is usually 1 year, renewable up to 3 years. Keep your ARC current — overstaying has serious consequences.
Name change options after marriage
Taiwan does not require a name change after marriage. Both partners keep their original legal names. However, you have options:
Adding your spouse's surname:
- Taiwanese law allows a married person to add their spouse's surname to their own (e.g., "Chen-Smith").
- This is uncommon in practice but legally available.
Changing your name in your home country:
- If you want to take your spouse's surname, you typically need to do this through your home country's name change process.
- The name on your Taiwan ARC will match your passport, so update your passport first, then update your ARC.
Children's surnames:
- Parents can choose either parent's surname for their children.
- The surname can be changed once before the child turns 18, by mutual agreement.
Practical note: Most foreigners married in Taiwan keep their original name. The bureaucratic process of changing your name across all documents (passport, ARC, bank accounts, work permit) is time-consuming.
Cultural tips for intercultural marriages in Taiwan
Family expectations:
- Meeting the parents is a significant step. Bring gifts (fruit, pastries, or tea — avoid clocks, umbrellas, or items in sets of four, which have negative connotations).
- In many Taiwanese families, the expectation is that both partners contribute to caring for aging parents. Discuss this openly before marriage.
- Wedding banquets (喜酒) are a major tradition. Guests give red envelopes with cash (紅包). The amount typically covers your meal cost and then some — NT$1,600–3,600 per person is standard in 2026.
Wedding customs:
- Many couples do a formal wedding photo shoot (婚紗照) at a studio, which can cost NT$30,000–100,000+.
- Traditional Taiwanese weddings involve the groom's family "picking up the bride" (迎娶) in the morning.
- A banquet dinner with 10–20 tables of guests is common, costing NT$15,000–30,000 per table.
- It is perfectly acceptable to have a simple registration-only marriage and skip the banquet entirely — increasingly common among younger couples.
Legal and financial:
- Taiwan uses a separate property system by default — each spouse owns what they earn during the marriage. You can opt for a community property arrangement by agreement.
- Prenuptial agreements are legally valid in Taiwan.
- Discuss finances openly: housing costs, family support expectations, and whether both partners will work.
Language considerations:
- Learning basic Mandarin will greatly improve your relationship with your spouse's family.
- Important legal and medical situations may require good Mandarin ability or a translator.
- Consider couples counseling if communication challenges arise — there are English-speaking therapists in Taipei.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can we get married in Taiwan if I am on a tourist visa? Yes. You can register a marriage on any visa status (or even visa-exempt entry). However, you cannot directly convert a tourist visa to a spouse-based ARC — you may need to leave Taiwan and apply for a resident visa at a TECO office abroad.
Q: How long does the entire process take? If all documents are prepared in advance, the registration itself takes about 1 hour. The main time investment is gathering and authenticating documents, which can take 2–6 weeks depending on your home country.
Q: Do I need to convert to my spouse's religion? No. Taiwan has no religious requirements for marriage registration. It is a purely civil process.
Q: Is my Taiwan marriage recognized in my home country? In most cases, yes — but check with your home country's representative office. You may need to register the marriage separately in your home country as well.
Q: What if the marriage does not work out? Taiwan allows divorce by mutual agreement (兩願離婚) — both parties sign at the household registration office with two witnesses. If agreement cannot be reached, court proceedings (裁判離婚) are required. Foreign spouses can apply for a change of ARC basis or an extension to arrange their affairs.
Q: Can I sponsor my parents or siblings to come to Taiwan after marriage? Marriage to a Taiwanese citizen does not automatically grant immigration rights to your extended family. Parents can visit on tourist visas. Long-term options depend on your immigration status and Taiwan's visa policies for your nationality.