With the delegation of statutory powers and duties by the Chief Executive, the Director of Immigration is empowered under section 4 of the Marriage Ordinance, Chapter 181, Laws of Hong Kong, to license any place of public worship to be a place for the celebration of marriages.
The minister-in-charge of a place of public worship (“the place”) may submit an application to Immigration Department for licensing such place for celebration of marriages.
By Post
If the applicant wants to apply by post, the completed application form (link) and supporting documents should be sent to:
Births, Deaths and Marriage Registration (Support) Section
12th Floor, Administration Tower
Immigration Headquarters
61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O
New Territories
Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the Immigration Department. For proper delivery of your mail items, please ensure your mail items bear sufficient postage with return address before posting. (Details)
Online
Applicant may submit application via the following website.
Online Application for Appointment / Renewal of Appointment as a Civil Celebrant of Marriages
Having received the online application, we will check the application form and all the supporting documents. Applicant will be contacted to provide supplementary documents (if necessary).
If all the documents submitted are in order, a site inspection will be arranged at “the place” in order to confirm the venue is an appropriate place to celebrate marriages.
List of forms and documents in support of an application for licensing a place of worship for celebration of marriages is available for download at “Checklist of Forms and Documents Required for Licensing a Place of Worship for Celebration of Marriages”.
Application for licensing a place of worship for celebration of marriages is free of charge.
Upon approval of the application, the minister-in-charge of the licensed place of worship will be informed by letter accordingly.