In 2025, a curious trend is taking shape in Shenzhen—young couples are holding wedding banquets, moving in together, even raising children, all without obtaining a marriage certificate. While older generations may view this as unconventional or even risky, a growing number of Shenzhen millennials and Gen Z are embracing what’s known locally as “non-licensed marriages.”
But why are young people in one of China’s most modern and progressive cities choosing not to legally tie the knot?
A New Perspective on Relationships: Love Without Legal Binding
Take Wendy, a 95-born Shenzhen resident, who threw a lavish wedding five years ago with her partner. Despite the celebration, they never legally registered the marriage. Why? “We were just too tired after the wedding to go through all the formalities,” she said. Over time, she realized that skipping the marriage certificate actually offered a sense of freedom.
Wendy doesn’t want children, and avoiding the official marriage has given her breathing room from family pressure to start a family. Her partner eventually came around to the idea too, and their life together is harmonious—shared finances, a joint mortgage, and even her name added to the property deed. “We’re like an economic unit,” she says, “but without the paperwork.”
For Some, Legal Paperwork Adds Pressure—Not Security
Shenzhen’s fast-paced lifestyle and high cost of living have reshaped how relationships are formed and maintained. Many young professionals, particularly women with strong careers and financial independence, are starting to question the need for legal marriage. They argue that mutual trust, not a legal document, should be the foundation of a relationship.
Li Tian, an 80s-born woman with a 10-year-old child, never registered her marriage either. “Everything is in my name—our house, our car, even the kid,” she laughs. “We function like a married couple, but without legal interference. Honestly, I prefer it that way.”
Economic Freedom Equals Romantic Autonomy
According to data from Shenzhen Centaline Property, women accounted for 53.1% of homebuyers in 2023, surpassing men. Financially empowered women feel less inclined to seek security through marriage. With stable jobs, assets, and even properties in other cities, many feel they have nothing to lose—and everything to gain—by maintaining legal autonomy.
Wendy admits she doesn’t worry about being single, divorced, or in a legally undefined relationship. “What’s there to fear if you’re not expecting anything from your partner? You can love freely, leave freely, and still live well.”
Strategic Thinking: From Company Benefits to Legal Loopholes
Some young women point out that remaining legally single means avoiding marriage-related workplace discrimination. In China, some employers are wary of hiring married women, assuming maternity leave is around the corner. “If I don’t register the marriage, on paper I’m still single and childless—it actually helps during job hunting,” one woman shared.
Others highlight the flexibility it offers during potential breakups. Without a marriage certificate, there’s no need for legal divorce or to wait through the mandatory “cooling-off” period.
But There Are Risks: Legal and Financial Implications
Not everyone sees this trend as harmless. Legal experts warn that “marriage without a license” is not recognized under Chinese law. Since 1994, “common-law marriage” has had no legal standing. That means no access to marital rights—no shared property, no inheritance rights, and no spousal protections in the event of separation or death.
For example, a woman named Han Han held a wedding but never got legally married. Years later, she discovered her partner had been cheating and spending money on a third party. Since they weren’t legally married, she had no claim over what would have otherwise been considered shared assets.
Lawyer Liu Wenyu from Beijing Jingshi (Shenzhen) Law Firm explains: “Without a marriage certificate, a couple is treated as cohabitants. Their child is considered born out of wedlock, and they must pursue separate civil lawsuits to divide property or settle custody.”
The Bottom Line: Marriage Is No Longer One-Size-Fits-All
The trend in Shenzhen reflects a broader shift in how younger generations view relationships. For some, love is enough; for others, practical security remains crucial.
While marriage certificates offer legal protection—especially for the financially weaker party—many economically empowered young people see them as unnecessary. “A wedding certificate doesn’t make a relationship stronger. Loyalty, compatibility, and communication do,” Wendy says.
As Shenzhen continues to grow as a hub for innovation and lifestyle experimentation, this form of “paperless marriage” might just become another modern export—blending freedom, love, and autonomy in a way that challenges traditional norms.
