A bride and a groom repeating a wedding vow word-for-word after a marriage solemnizer is a scene Chinese, non-religious as they are, are familiar with only on the silver screen. But now couples may have to do exactly that in marriage registries across the country.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) has just recommended four versions of marriage oaths for use in registries. In spite of some peculiarities, they are by and large Chinese versions of the oft-heard Western vow that promises fidelity "for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health" - only that the solemnizer would be a marriage registrar.

For decades, the procedure of getting married in this country has been both official and simple. Until quite recently, one could not get married without producing an employer's letter confirming his or her marital status. There used to be another compulsory requirement - result of a special medical test showing a person was physically fit to get married. Except for them, marriage registration has been little more than handing over necessary papers to the registrar and picking up the marriage certificate.