Undergoing a premarital medical exam: if a serious illness is present, it must be disclosed before marriage registration

14. Undergoing a premarital medical exam: if a serious illness is present, it must be disclosed before marriage registration

Cost: In most regions, the exam is provided free of charge or at a reduced cost for eligible individuals; otherwise it costs only a few hundred yuan. The procedure itself takes about half a day.

In plain terms: If a person has a serious illness and fails to disclose it truthfully before marriage registration, the other spouse may petition a court to annul the marriage. This request must be filed within one year of learning about the condition. Since 2003, a premarital medical exam has no longer been a mandatory prerequisite for obtaining a marriage certificate; participation remains entirely voluntary. Exact costs and availability depend on local policies, but the exam typically requires half a day to complete.

Benefit: The legal consequences of concealing such information are clearly defined. Current marriage registration regulations stipulate that “any party with a serious illness must disclose this fact to the other party prior to registration; failure to do so permits the other party to petition a court for annulment under Article 1053 of the Civil Code.” The government also promotes premarital exams as a primary measure for preventing birth defects, aiming to maintain a premarital medical exam rate above 70% and a coverage rate for pre‑conception health checks above 80%. Additional policies encourage locating exam facilities near marriage registration offices and offering integrated services that combine registration, medical screening, and fertility counseling. The Civil Code likewise mandates disclosure of serious illnesses prior to marriage; non‑compliance grants the other spouse the right to seek annulment within one year of becoming aware of the condition.

Evidence grade: B

Sources: National People's Congress (2020). Civil Code (Article 1053). <https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202006/t20200602_463888.shtml>; State Council of China (2025). Marriage Registration Regulations (National Decree No. 804, Article 12). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202504/content_7017752.htm>; General Office of the National Health Commission of China (NHC) (2023). Birth Defects Prevention and Treatment Capacity Improvement Plan (2023-2027) (National Health Office Maternal and Child Development [2023] No. 9). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202308/content_6900320.htm>; National Health Commission of China (NHC) and five other departments (2020). Notice on strengthening premarital health care (Guowei Maternal and Child Letter [2020] No. 205): "Actively advocate that all localities implement free premarital examinations based on actual conditions." <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2020-05/22/content_5513902.htm>

Notes: Since 2003, a premarital medical exam has not been a legal prerequisite for marriage; individuals may choose whether or not to participate. Nevertheless, the requirement to disclose any serious illness remains in effect, granting the other spouse the right to request annulment within one year of learning about it. There is no nationwide mandate guaranteeing free exams; a 2020 directive from the Health Commission and four other ministries merely encourages local authorities to provide free services where feasible. Consequently, exact costs and the specific tests offered vary by region; prospective couples should consult local maternal‑and‑child health centers or one‑stop service desks at marriage registration offices for detailed information.