TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) announced on Thursday (Sept. 19) that cross-strait same-sex couples can now marry through a process similar to that for heterosexual couples marrying in another country. This policy allows couples to undergo marriage interviews and register their marriages in Taiwan.
Speaking to the media, MAC Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) emphasized that this policy only applies to countries where same-sex marriage is legal.
This change followed an Aug. 8 ruling by Taiwan's High Administrative Court, which partially ruled in favor of a cross-strait same-sex couple, requiring the Ministry of the Interior (MOI, 內政部) to conduct a marriage interview.
The MOI issued a directive a day earlier, allowing cross-strait same-sex couples to follow existing regulations for heterosexual couples marrying abroad. Couples must submit verified marriage certificates and related documents to undergo interviews, after which they can register their marriages at local household registration offices.
Liang noted that about 35 countries recognize same-sex marriage, and because China does not, couples cannot marry directly at Taiwan’s household registration offices. He remarked, "We are now opening up a path for same-sex couples on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and I think we have to work hard."
Regarding the issuance of identity cards to same-sex couples, Liang pointed out that these couples must remove their Chinese household registration. However, since China does not recognize same-sex marriages, he said it shouldn't affect their household registration, adding that obtaining a Taiwanese ID card depends on China's future stance on same-sex marriage.
