Sganghai couples are advised to wear proper attire or nuptial costumes, as well as holding a grand ceremony, when registering for marriage, local civil affairs officials said yesterday.

"For a long time, Chinese couples have paid much attention to wedding feasts, but sloppily neglect the time when being awarded marriage certificates," said Ye Xinghua, deputy director of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau.

According to Ye, the 20 marriage registration offices throughout the city have set up more than 30 special rooms for certificate-awarding ceremonies.

Professional certificate-awarding officials and even social celebrities will be invit-ed to preside at the ceremony. Relatives and friends of the couple are also advised to participate, Ye added.

Furthermore, professional social workers will also be employed to explain the rights and obligations to new couples before registration - part of the measures Shanghai will take to conform with the new Marriage Registration Regulation, officials said.

Starting on October 1, the new rule will be implemented in the country to replace the original marriage management and registration regulation.

According to the new regulation, no letters from either individual's employer is needed to testify to their marital status and the premarital health examination will no longer be mandatory.

Information regarding an individual's marital status will be stored with a series of other databases, including social security card details and court records.

Locals are advised to bring their social security card together with their ID card, permanent residence and a statement ascertaining that they are single when registering for marriage.

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