Under the laws of Hong Kong, only deaths that occur in Hong Kong shall be registered with the Registrar of Deaths. However, the Hong Kong identity card of a deceased shall cease to be valid upon his death and should be delivered to the Commissioner of Registration for cancellation by completing a "Notification of death and return of identity card of deceased persons" (Form ROP35a).
On receipt by the district registrar of your baby's birth return from the hospital in which your baby was born, you should make an appointment booking for birth registration with the relevant district registrar or Tseung Kwan O Births Registry through the internet: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/birth-death/Registration_of_a_Birth.html#a, or telephone (852) 2598 0888. Please first confirm with the hospital to ensure the birth return has been sent before making the appointment.
Important Note:
Under Section 7 of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance, Chapter 174, Laws of Hong Kong, parents of every child born shall apply for the registration of the child's birth at a birth registry within a period of 42 days after the day of such birth. It is a criminal offence if anyone deliberately fails to register the birth of a child as required by the law. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of HK$2,000 or up to six months' imprisonment. Parents are required to register the birth of their children in accordance with the law, so as to avoid undermining the rights of their children to medical treatment, education and welfare benefits due to late registration.
In the case of an illegitimate child where the mother has not registered marriage with anyone and do not wish to include the father’s name in the births register, the following original documents are required for birth registration:
| (a) |
a statutory declaration from the mother regarding her marital status; and |
| (b) |
(i) |
the mother’s Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card (for Hong Kong permanent residents); or |
| (ii) |
the mother’s Hong Kong Identity Card and valid travel documents (e.g. passport, documents of identity etc.) (for Hong Kong residents); or |
| (iii) |
the mother’s travel documents upon her arrival in Hong Kong (e.g. passport, Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao etc.) (for non-Hong Kong residents). |
Please also provide photocopies of documents not issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department for record purposes. Depending on the nature of the case, the mother may be required to submit other supporting documents.
In the case of an illegitimate child where the mother has been divorced, the mother is required to provide the following original documents for birth registration:
| (a) |
divorce certificate (if the certificate is not written in Chinese or English, certified translation of such is required); |
| (b) |
a statutory declaration from the mother regarding her marital status; and |
| (c) |
(i) |
the mother’s Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card (for Hong Kong permanent residents); or |
| (ii) |
the mother’s Hong Kong Identity Card and valid travel documents (e.g. passport, documents of identity etc.) (for Hong Kong residents); or |
| (iii) |
the mother’s travel documents upon her arrival in Hong Kong (e.g. passport, Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao etc.) (for non-Hong Kong residents). |
Please also provide photocopies of documents not issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department for record purposes. In case the father’s name is to be included in the births register, please see the relevant requirements. Depending on the nature of the case, the mother may be required to submit other supporting documents.
The purposes of establishing birth registration records in Hong Kong under the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance (Cap.174, Laws of Hong Kong) are:
- to enable the Registrar of Births and Deaths to keep all birth registration records in Hong Kong in order to fulfill his statutory obligations under the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance and related subsidiary legislation; and
- to verify the identity, age, family relationship, etc. of the person concerned legitimately, or for other lawful purposes prescribed, authorised or permitted by law.
In processing an applicant’s request, the Registrar shall take into account the supplementary information, including the purpose(s) and intended use of the search result and requested records, and all supporting documents, if any, provided by the applicant.
If you are NOT the registered subject note 1, relevant person note 2 or person with written consent from the registered subject/relevant person, you may submit your request in person or by post. Please note that online application is not applicable to you. Together with your request, you are required to provide supplementary information, including your relationship with the registered subject, your purpose(s) and the intended use of the search result and/or requested records, and all supporting documents, if any, to support your request.
The required supplementary information will depend on the actual circumstances of individual case. Example:
If you are applying for search and certified copy of birth records of your parents in support of the application of overseas travel document/visa, you are required to provide the following supplementary information:
- Explanation as to why the consent from parents is not obtained
- Proof of relationship with parents such as birth certificate
- Documents issued by the relevant official authorities to certify that the records and certified copy are required and to provide explanation on the purpose of requesting for the records and its use
- Any other supplementary information you consider relevant to support the request
(Please note that the example above is for reference only. The Registrar will assess each application on individual merits.)
Depending on the nature of the case, further information may be required. After assessment, if the Registrar is satisfied that your request is consistent with the purpose of establishing birth registration records in Hong Kong, you will be notified to collect the search result and/or the certified copy.
Note 1: In respect of a birth record, the registered subject is the person whose birth is recorded in the register.
Note 2: Relevant person means the parent/legal guardian of the registered subject under the age of 18.
