Fujian cuts red tape for birth certificates

Couples in Fujian province no longer need to apply for a birth approval certificate when they plan to have a first child, and they can obtain a certificate for a second child simply by handing in a guarantee that confirms they are eligible to have a second child, according to the province's Health and Family Planning Commission.

A couple only needs to provide their marriage certificate and ID cards to register for the birth of their first child.

For those who want a second child, if the situation of the birth of their first child is hard to verify, such as the husband and wife coming from different cities or regions, a couple needs to provide their hukou (household registration), ID cards and marriage certificate as well as a written statement that makes it clear that they are entitled to have a second child.