Newly published marriage certificates have been distributed to civil marriage registration centers in Beijing.

Beijing's marriage registration service will work as normal on the New Year's Day holiday. 15,000 newlyweds will get the new marriage certificates on the day.

The director of Beijing Municipal Civil Bureau Marriage Registration Section, Li Ziwei, said old marriage and divorce certificates will be out of use once 2004 begins.

Since October 1st, Chinese citizens carrying residence booklets and identity cards have been able to receive their marriage certificates simply after they register at marriage offices and sign a statement that they are single. There is no need for marital status certificate from one's working unit, nor is it necessary to have premarital health examination.

(CRI online December 31, 2003)