Society

Lost certificate hampers divorce

(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-12-28 08:57

A woman in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, is unable to divorce because she has lost her marriage certificate and her husband refuses to help her get a new one.

Huang, who lives in the city's Lintong District, married Li in 1999. By 2004 she wanted to divorce.

"I lost my marriage certificate and my husband tore his up because he was angry when I told him I wanted to divorce. The registry office also lost my file," said Huang.

"We didn't even take any pictures or hold a wedding ceremony when we were married because we couldn't afford it so what can I do to get a divorce?"

The local registry office refused Huang's divorce application and told her she must first apply for a marriage certificate again, but her husband refused to go with her.

The law stipulates that marriage certificates can only be applied for by couples, not individuals.

(Chinese Business View)