How to register children without marriage?
In recent years, the household registration issue of children born out of wedlock has become one of the hot topics of social concern. With the opening of social concepts and the diversification of family structures, more and more unmarried parents are facing the problem of registering a household registration for their children. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with detailed answers to the process, required materials, and precautions for how to apply for a household registration for unmarried children.
1. Legal basis for registering children born out of wedlock

According to the relevant provisions of the Household Registration Regulations of the People's Republic of China and the Civil Code, children born out of wedlock enjoy the same rights as children born in wedlock, and no one may harm or discriminate against them. Children born out of wedlock can apply for household registration with their father or mother, but they need to provide corresponding supporting documents.
2. Specific procedures for registering household registration for children born out of wedlock
| steps | Specific content |
|---|---|
| 1. Prepare materials | Birth medical certificate, parents’ ID cards, household registration booklet, illegitimate birth instructions, etc. |
| 2. Take a paternity test | If you want to settle down with your father, you need to provide a legally valid paternity test report. |
| 3. Fill out the application form | Pick up and fill out the "Birth Declaration Registration Form" at the local police station |
| 4. Submit application | Submit all materials to the police station where one parent is registered |
| 5. Waiting for review | It usually takes 5-15 working days for the public security agency to review the materials. |
| 6. Processing completed | After passing the review, the child’s household registration is completed. |
3. List of required materials
| Material name | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Child’s medical certificate of birth | Must be issued by a regular hospital |
| Original and copy of ID cards of both parents | Must be within the validity period |
| Original copy of parents’ household register | Wherever you settle down, you will be provided with the household registration booklet of that party. |
| Description of illegitimate childbirth | Both parents’ signatures are required. |
| paternity test report | Must provide when settling in with the father |
| Neighborhood committee or village committee certificate | Some areas require |
4. Differences in policies among regions
The specific requirements for registering a household registration for children born out of wedlock may vary in different regions. The following are the special requirements of some regions recently reported by netizens:
| area | special request |
|---|---|
| Beijing | Birth service certificate required |
| Shanghai | Social support payment verification is required |
| Guangdong Province | Some areas require both parents to be present |
| Sichuan Province | Simplify the process and enable online pre-review |
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do children born out of wedlock need to pay social support fees when registering?
A: Since 2021, social support fees have been abolished across the country, and children born out of wedlock no longer need to pay this fee when registering for household registration.
Q: What should I do if one of my parents is missing or unwilling to cooperate?
A: You can apply to the court to confirm the parent-child relationship and go through the settlement procedures unilaterally with the judgment.
Q: Can my child still apply for household registration if he is already several years old?
A: Yes, but you may need to add more supporting materials and the process will be more complicated.
6. Expert advice
1. Apply as soon as possible: Apply for household registration as soon as possible after the child is born to avoid troubles such as school enrollment in the future.
2. Prepare all the materials: Consult the local police station in advance to understand the specific requirements and avoid multiple trips.
3. Choose a formal institution for paternity testing: ensure that the testing report is legally binding.
4. Maintain communication: If you encounter difficulties, you can maintain good communication with the household registration department and seek reasonable solutions.
7. Changes in social concepts
As society progresses, discrimination against children born out of wedlock gradually decreases. The latest survey shows that nearly 70% of respondents believe that children born out of wedlock should enjoy equal rights. Local governments are also continuing to simplify the registration process for children born out of wedlock, reflecting social tolerance and progress.
In short, although the procedure for registering an unmarried child is slightly more complicated than that for a child born within wedlock, it can be successfully processed as long as all the materials are prepared in accordance with legal provisions and the relevant departments are actively cooperated with. If you encounter special difficulties, you can also seek legal assistance to protect your children's legitimate rights and interests.
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