To determine whether a child has Chinese nationality
The acquisition of Chinese nationality is governed by the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China. If both or one of the parents are Chinese citizens and the child is born in China, the child automatically holds Chinese nationality. If both or one of the parents are Chinese citizens and the child is born abroad, the child also possesses Chinese nationality provided that the Chinese citizen parent(s) have not settled permanently abroad.
For example, a child born overseas to Mr. Zhou, a Chinese citizen, and his foreign spouse, where Mr. Zhou has not settled abroad, holds Chinese nationality and meets the prerequisites for household registration in China. However, if both or one of the parents are Chinese citizens who have settled permanently abroad, and the child acquires foreign nationality at birth, the child does not hold Chinese nationality. In such cases, the child cannot directly obtain household registration in China and must apply for appropriate visas and residency procedures to reside in China long-term.
Documents Required for Household Registration
Birth Certificate: Issued by the competent authority or notary department of the child’s country of birth. This certificate must include the child’s full name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, and parental information. It typically requires translation and notarization to ensure accurate understanding by domestic authorities. For example, a child born in the UK must have their birth certificate notarized by a local UK notary office, translated into Chinese by a qualified translation company, stamped with the company’s official seal, and accompanied by a copy of the translation company’s credentials.
Parental Identification: If one parent is a Chinese citizen, their resident ID card and household registration book (hukou) must be provided; if one parent is a foreign national, their valid passport is required. These documents confirm the parents’ identities and nationalities.
Parental Marriage Certificate: The marriage certificate serves as proof of the parents’ marital relationship. If the certificate is in a foreign language, it must also be translated and notarized. In cases of parental divorce, additional documents such as the divorce certificate, divorce agreement, or court judgment must be submitted to clarify custody arrangements.
Child’s Entry Documents: The child’s People’s Republic of China Passport or People’s Republic of China Travel Document used for entering China. If the child holds a foreign passport, some regions may require nationality verification materials issued by the exit-entry administration department of the public security bureau in the jurisdiction of the intended household registration location.
Additional Documents: Certain areas may request parental work certificates or residence permits to confirm stable employment and living conditions in China. For non-marital births, a declaration of non-marital parentage must be submitted. If the father’s information is absent from the birth certificate and the child is to be registered under the father’s name, a paternity test result issued by a qualified domestic testing institution is required.
Household Registration Process
Identify the Handling Authority: Typically, the household registration office at a local police station or another designated household administration window. Parents can confirm the specific handling location and office hours in advance through the official website or by contacting the local public security department.
Submit Application Materials: Parents should bring all required documents to the handling authority to submit the household registration application. Staff will conduct a preliminary review of the materials to check for completeness and compliance with requirements. If any issues are found, staff will inform the applicant on-site of the necessary supplements or corrections.
Review and Approval: For newborns under 6 years old, the household registration office will process the application immediately upon verification. For newborns over 6 years old, after the household registration office accepts the application, it must be submitted to the county-level public security department's security (household administration) division for approval, which typically takes around 20 working days. During this period, relevant authorities may further verify the authenticity and legality of the application materials, such as contacting the child's birth hospital to confirm birth certificate information or verifying parental details through other channels.
Collect Household Register: Once the application is approved, parents can collect their child's household register (hukou booklet) from the household registration office, completing the entire household registration process.
Household Registration Instructions for Different Scenarios
Both Parents as Chinese Citizens with Child Born Abroad: This is a common scenario. As long as the child meets the requirements for Chinese nationality identification, parents can prepare the materials and apply for household registration following the aforementioned process. For example, if a Chinese couple working in Australia has a child there, upon returning to China, they can successfully register the child's household by submitting the child's Australian birth certificate (translated and notarized), the parents' ID cards, household registers, marriage certificate, and other required documents.
One Parent as a Chinese Citizen and the Other as a Foreign National: If the child meets the requirements for Chinese nationality identification, the household registration process remains consistent with the standard procedure. However, when preparing the materials, special attention should be paid to ensuring the completeness and compliance of the foreign parent's identification documents.
Foreign Child Born Out of Wedlock: In addition to the standard household registration materials, a declaration of out-of-wedlock birth must be submitted. If the child is to be registered under the father's household and the father's information is not listed on the birth certificate, a paternity test report issued by a qualified testing institution must be provided.
The process of registering foreign-born children for Chinese household registration encompasses multiple critical steps, including nationality verification, documentation preparation, and procedural compliance. Given that regional variations may exist in specific requirements and administrative procedures, parents are strongly advised to proactively consult with local public security household administration authorities prior to initiating the application. This proactive step ensures comprehensive material preparation, thereby facilitating a smooth registration process and enabling children to settle, study, and thrive in China with confidence.
