Since 1949, all Hong Kong residents have been required to register for identity cards. The first kind of identity cards were of paper type. These paper type identity cards were subsequently replaced by laminated ones upon implementation of the Registration of Persons Ordinance in 1960. For better maintenance of records, a Territory-wide Identity Card Re-issue Exercise was launched in 1983 to introduce more secure identity cards. It was followed by the second Identity Card Re-issue Exercise starting on 1 July 1987 when Hong Kong permanent identity cards containing a statement that the holder had the right of abode in Hong Kong were issued to permanent residents, while Hong Kong identity cards (HKICs) without such a statement were issued to non-permanent residents.

The department has been improving the identity cards with more secure data storage and sophiscated security features.

The department started to replace existing smart identity cards for all Hong Kong residents from 26 November 2018 onwards. The new smart HKIC, made of the latest polycarbonate materials with multiple state-of-the-art security features and designs, provides stronger protection against counterfeiting. Furthermore, the new smart HKIC supports a contactless chip interface on top of the current contact chip interface. This reduces possible wear and tear to the HKIC and the chip due to card insertion, thus making the HKIC more durable. Meanwhile, holders of new smart HKICs can enjoy more convenient and faster clearance through the Automated Passenger Clearance System (e-Channel).

Nine security features of new smart identity card.

The smart HKIC enables the department to use fingerprint identification technology to quickly authenticate the card holder's identity. Hong Kong permanent residents aged 11 or above holding smart HKICs have been able to enjoy the convenience of e-Channels at control points.

Cross-boundary drivers who are Hong Kong permanent residents holding smart HKICs have been able to use the vehicular e-Channels at vehicular control points. This service was further extended to certain categories of eligible non-permanent residents for the convenience of the public.

Holders of Documents of Identity for Visa Purposes with smart HKICs, persons holding smart HKICs who have the right to land or are on unconditional stay in Hong Kong, or who are non-permanent residents issued with a notification label can also use the e-Channel service.

Moreover, Hong Kong permanent residents aged 11 or above may travel to Macao on the strength of their valid smart HKICs and enjoy enhanced immigration facilitation through the Macao Automated Passenger Clearance System after successful enrolment. This facilitation measure has been extended to Hong Kong non-permanent residents holding a HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes and a HKIC. Eligible non-permanent residents may, after enrolment, use Macao's automated immigration clearance service for immigration clearance.

Apart from immigration-related applications, the smart HKIC also supports other non-immigration applications, such as the library card of Hong Kong Public Libraries. Members of the public are free to opt for non-immigration applications.

Consular Corps Identity Cards (CCICs) are issued to consuls, consular staff, the head and members of the Office of the European Union in Hong Kong, and their spouses and dependent children of the age of 11 or above.

The department introduced a new form of Consular Corps Identity Card embedded with a chip module in 2019.

All members of the Consular Corps had their CCICs replaced in 2020. The new CCIC is in the form of a smart card made of polycarbonate and embedded with a chip module of dual (contact and contactless) interfaces. The card size is similar to a standard credit card. Furthermore, to better protect against forgery, the new CCIC has a number of security features.

Under the Registration of Persons Ordinance, Hong Kong residents aged 11 or above are required to register for an identity card unless they are specifically exempted or excluded from such provisions, for example, the aged, the blind and the infirm. Any person who is not the holder of an identity card and is required by law to be registered must apply for one within 30 days from the date of his arrival in Hong Kong or from the date when he is so required to apply. In 2020, 242,931 and 71,059 identity cards were issued to permanent residents and non-permanent residents respectively.

The Registration of Persons Tribunal was established under Section 3C of the Registration of Persons Ordinance to provide a channel of appeal arising from the decision of not to issue a permanent identity card or to declare a permanent identity card invalid. In 2020, the department received 73 appeals from the Tribunal.

Replacement identity cards are issued to persons whose previous identity cards have been lost, damaged or defaced, or whose identity cards require amendments because of changes in personal particulars such as the name or date of birth. In 2020, 134,507 replacement identity cards were issued.

One-way Permit entrants aged 11 or above may simultaneously submit applications for a Document of Identity for Visa Purposes when applying for first registration for an HKIC at the Registration of Persons – Kowloon Office.

The 24-hour Telephone Appointment Booking System and on-line appointment booking for identity card application under the Electronic Service Delivery Scheme were introduced to offer convenient booking of registration of persons services. The appointment booking period for identity card applications has been extended to 24 working days. Subsequent changes to or cancellation of an appointment can also be made one working day prior to the scheduled appointment date.

Members of the public could make an appointment for identity card application through the Government portal, GovHK, and choose to have a free reminder sent to them two days before the appointment date. Members of the public could also use the Immigration Department Mobile Application to book an appointment and fill in forms in advance for a faster and more convenient application process.

Certificates of Registered Particulars are issued to provide records of the particulars furnished or reported to a registration officer, including particulars which are not shown on identity cards. They are used for a number of purposes. One of them is to support applications for emigration. In 2020, 13,047 certificates were issued.

One of the main tasks of the department is to maintain registration of persons records of a population of over seven million. To facilitate storage, retrieval and maintenance, all these records were converted to digital images. The Image Management System, which has replaced the old microfilm technology, facilitates round-the-clock identity card record checks for other law enforcement departments and helps combat illegal immigration effectively.

The first cycle of the Replacement Exercise commenced on 27 December 2018. Certain public officers and those Hong Kong residents born in 1985, 1986, 1968 and 1969 were required to have their HKICs replaced at an SIDCC within their respective specified periods. The second cycle was originally scheduled for the period from 3 June 2019 to 17 February 2020, during which Hong Kong residents born in the years from 1955 to 1959 and from 1964 to 1967 were required to have their HKICs replaced at an SIDCC within their respective specified periods.

In the midst of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the services of the nine SIDCCs were intermittently suspended in 2020, and the call-up programme was also revised accordingly. The application period of the second cycle was extended to 26 September 2020; and the original application period of the third cycle was also revised as 18 February 2020 to 18 September 2021. District Councillors and those Hong Kong residents born in the years from1960 to 1963, 1970 to 1976, 2005 to 2007 and 2012 to 2018 were required to have their HKICs replaced at an SIDCC within their respective specified periods.

Through the use of technology, a number of new elements have been introduced in the Replacement Exercise. Members of the public may make appointments and fill in forms in advance through the Internet or the Immigration Department Mobile Application, so as to save queuing time and enjoy a faster replacement process. To enhance service efficiency, various self-service kiosks have also been provided in the SIDCCs to facilitate the acquisition of tags, filling of forms and collection of new HKICs by members of the public. Compared with the last Replacement Exercise, the processing time for registration at the SIDCCs has been shortened from 60 minutes to 30 minutes. In addition, there is a series of barrier-free facilities in the SIDCCs, including the indoor navigation system for visually impaired persons, which has been adopted by the government for the first time.

New elements were added to the SIDCCs. For example, there is a long feature corridor in Tsuen Wan SIDCC introducing the evolution of identity cards.

In view of the demographic changes in Hong Kong and to provide more convenience for groups in need, the department has introduced new caring arrangements in this Replacement Exercise:

• starting from 21 January 2019, members of the public who have been called up under their age groups may bring along up to two family members or friends aged 65 or above to replace their smart HKICs together during the same visit. Starting from 18 February 2020, the arrangement has been extended to cover persons with disabilities (PwDs) so that an applicant may bring along up to two family members or friends aged 65 or above and two PwDs to replace their smart HKICs together during the same visit; and
• the 'On-site Identity Card Replacement Service' launched in 2019 had been well received by residents of residential care homes (RCHs) for the elderly and for PwDs as well as their family members. As at 31 December 2020, the department had visited over 360 RCHs and completed on-site HKIC replacement for over 18,000 residents of RCHs. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the department has suspended this on-site service since 29 January 2020 in order to minimise the risk of cross infection. The department will continue to maintain close liaison with the RCHs with a view to resuming this service once the pandemic situation eases.

Under the caring arrangements of the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise, each applicant may bring along up to two family members or friends aged 65 or above and two PwDs to replace their smart HKICs together during the same visit.

Under the law, all Hong Kong permanent residents have the right of abode in Hong Kong which includes the right to land in Hong Kong, the right to be free from any condition of stay in Hong Kong, and the right not to be deported or removed from Hong Kong.

Article 24 of the Basic Law sets out six categories of persons who are permanent residents of the HKSAR. The conditions for acquiring the right of abode in Hong Kong are clearly defined under the Immigration Ordinance.

After Hong Kong's return to China, the department started to process the right of abode applications in accordance with the Basic Law and the Immigration Ordinance. Successful applicants aged 11 or above will be arranged to register for a permanent identity card under the provisions of the Registration of Persons Ordinance. Successful applicants aged under 11 will be issued with a letter confirming their eligibility. If they hold valid travel documents, they may apply for an endorsement to be made on their travel documents confirming that their eligibility for a permanent identity card has been verified. In 2020, the department received a total of 69,496 VEPIC applications. In the same year, a total of 68,914 applications were finalised.

To provide more facilitation to applicants, e-Service for the submission of VEPIC applications has been provided. Through the website of GovHK, applicants may complete and print the application forms online. After signing the completed forms, and scanning the forms and the supporting documents, applicants may submit their VEPIC applications through the Internet. Applicants may also make use of the e-Service to submit additional documents if necessary; and to enquire about or change their scheduled appointments for verification of documents. Moreover, applicants who have submitted VEPIC applications may also enquire about the application status through the Internet or the 24-hour Telephone Enquiry System.

The Immigration Department is the sole government department responsible for issuing HKSAR passports. Under the law, HKSAR passports are issued only to Chinese citizens who have the right of abode in Hong Kong and who hold valid Hong Kong permanent identity cards. Applications for HKSAR passports can be submitted by post, through drop-in boxes or in person. Eligible applicants holding a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card may also submit their applications via Travel Document Submission Kiosks, the Internet or the Immigration Department Mobile Application.

The Travel Document Submission Kiosks located at various branch offices allows applicants to submit their passport applications in a self-service manner free of charge.

With effect from 30 October 2020, applicants from Hong Kong or overseas who submit their HKSAR passport applications direct to the department by whichever means may choose to collect their passports at designated Chinese diplomatic and consular missions (CDCMs). Applicants staying overseas may also submit their applications through the local CDCMs. Applicants in the Mainland may submit their replacement applications and subsequently collect their new passports through the Immigration Divisions of the Beijing Office, SHETO, CDETO, GDETO and WHETO. The processing of applications and the personalisation of HKSAR passports are centrally handled by the department.

Eligible applicants may use the Passport Collection Kiosk to collect their passports in self-service manner.

The department introduced the Next Generation HKSAR e-Passport on 14 May 2019. The new documents continue to be produced in compliance with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation with incorporation of state-of-the-art security features to boost the confidence of overseas authorities in allowing HKSAR passport holders visa-free access to their countries and regions. For example, a specially made transparent window with the holder's portrait engraved in it by laser engraving technology is added onto the bio-data page, of which the Golden Bauhinia Square forms the main theme. The passport issuing procedures are monitored and controlled by a unique computer system while the production sites at the Immigration Headquarters are guarded by stringent measures and security installations. The HKSAR passport has won international recognition and has been regarded as one of the most secure passports in the world.

In 2020, the department received 250,896 HKSAR passport applications. As at the end of 2020, the department had received a total of 13,202,549 HKSAR passport applications and issued 13,170,769 passports.

The HKSAR Passports Appeal Board was established under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports (Appeal Board) Regulation to provide a channel of appeal to unsuccessful applicants of HKSAR passports. In 2020, the department received four appeals from the Appeal Board.

A Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (Doc/I) is valid for seven years. It is issued to Hong Kong residents who are unable to obtain a national passport or travel document of any other countries or territories. The vast majority of the applicants are legal immigrants from the Mainland who have not yet resided in Hong Kong continuously for seven years. The department introduced the Next Generation HKSAR Electronic Doc/I on 14 May 2019. In 2020, 16,181 Doc/Is were issued.

A Seaman's Identity Book is valid for 10 years. It is issued to seafarers who are Hong Kong residents having the right of abode or having been granted unconditional stay in the HKSAR, including non-Chinese citizens who are unable to obtain a national passport or travel document of any other countries or territories. In 2020, 38 Seaman's Identity Books were issued.

A Re-entry Permit is valid for a maximum period of five years and is good for travel to and from the Mainland and Macao. It is issued mainly to Hong Kong residents who are Chinese citizens and who have the right of abode or have been granted unconditional stay in the HKSAR. Given that most Hong Kong residents have used their identity cards to travel to the Mainland or Macao since the introduction of e-Channels, Re-entry Permits are used mostly by children under the age of 11 and residents who have lost their identity cards but need to travel to the Mainland or Macao before they are issued with replacements. In 2020, 21,756 Re-entry Permits were issued.

The department has been authorised by the Central People's Government to deal with nationality-related applications from Hong Kong residents in accordance with the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China and the 'Explanations' adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on 15 May 1996. The Chinese Nationality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance was enacted to provide for matters relating to the implementation of the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR.

Hong Kong residents who are Chinese nationals holding foreign passports may make a declaration of change of nationality to the department if they would like to be regarded as foreign nationals in Hong Kong. In 2020, 209 Hong Kong residents declared change of nationality.

In 2020, the department received 756 applications for naturalisation as a Chinese national, 299 applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality and four applications for restoration of Chinese nationality.

Overseas Hong Kong residents may submit their nationality applications (including declaration of change of nationality, naturalisation as a Chinese national, renunciation and restoration of Chinese nationality) to the department through the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions. Applications may also be submitted directly to the department. In 2020, 236 applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality and 44 applications for declaration of change of nationality were received through Chinese diplomatic and consular missions. The department also received 69 direct applications from overseas, including 53 for renunciation of Chinese nationality and 16 for declaration of change of nationality.

According to the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance, any birth in Hong Kong must be registered within 42 days from the day of such birth. Presently, there are four birth registries in Hong Kong providing birth registration services, viz. one on Hong Kong Island, one in Kowloon and two in the New Territories. Under the law, no fee is required for registration of a birth. However, a fee will be charged for post-registration of a birth beyond the prescribed 42 days. A birth that has not been registered within one year can be registered only with the consent of the Registrar of Births and Deaths. In 2020, 36,551 births were registered and 5,404 births were post-registered.

The registration of births was computerized in 1990s. The birth certificate is computer-printed instead of hand-written.

Deaths from natural causes should be registered by the deceased's relatives within 24 hours. There are three death registries, including two on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon, providing free registration service. Deaths in rural areas may be registered at the 15 designated police stations in the New Territories and on outlying islands. In 2020, 50,653 deaths were registered.

Marriages in Hong Kong are governed by the Marriage Ordinance and the Marriage Reform Ordinance. When one man and one woman wish to marry, either party shall give at least 15 clear days' notice of an intended marriage either in person or through a Civil Celebrant of Marriages to the Registrar of Marriages. The notice will be exhibited at the marriage registries (other than the Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry and City Hall Marriage Registry) and the Registration and Records Office in Admiralty for at least 15 clear days. The marriage must take place within three months from the date of giving the notice if no objection is received. There are no residential requirements on the marrying parties and they may be of any nationality. However, either party to a marriage must not be under the age of 16 (Gregorian reckoning). Marriage may take place at any of the five marriage registries or the 272 (as at the end of 2020) licensed places of worship, including churches, Hindu Temple, etc. Moreover, marrying parties may also engage a Civil Celebrant of Marriages to celebrate their marriages at any places other than the marriage registries and licensed places of worship in Hong Kong. In 2020, 12,206 marriages were celebrated at the marriage registries, 1,393 in licensed places of worship and 14,562 by Civil Celebrants of Marriages.

Marrying couples may choose to celebrate marriages at marriage halls of marriage registries of the department.

The Civil Celebrants of Marriages Scheme lifts the restrictions on the time and place of marriage solemnisation. The scheme provides more choices, greater flexibility and convenience to the public in arranging weddings. It has been well received by the public and has been increasingly popular since it was launched. As at the end of 2020, about 345,000 prospective couples (44 per cent of total number of applications) gave their notices of intended marriage to Registrars of Marriages through civil celebrants, and about 345,000 couples (47 per cent of total number of marriage registrations) had their marriages solemnised by civil celebrants.

Certain marriages may be post-registered as valid marriages in Hong Kong. They include Chinese customary marriages and modern marriages which were celebrated in Hong Kong before 7 October 1971, an appointed day for the purposes of the Marriage Reform Ordinance. A customary marriage refers to a marriage celebrated in accordance with Chinese law and custom, whilst a modern marriage means a marriage celebrated in Hong Kong before the appointed day by an open ceremony as a modern marriage in the presence of two or more witnesses. In 2020, no applications for post-registration of marriage were received.

Members of the public may be issued certified copies of certificates of birth, death or marriage upon submission of all the required documents and payment of prescribed fees for the application. The department also issues Certificates of Absence of Marriage Record upon application. In 2020, 262,013 certified copies of certificates of birth, death or marriage and 7,594 Certificates of Absence of Marriage Record were issued.