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

The smart identity card 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 a smart identity card are able to enjoy the convenience of performing immigration clearance at e-Channels in control points.

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

Hong Kong residents holding a Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (Doc/I), persons who have the right to land or are on unconditional stay in Hong Kong, or non-permanent residents issued with a notification label can 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 identity cards and enjoy enhanced immigration facilitation by using the Macao Automated Passenger Clearance System after successful enrolment. This facilitation measure has been extended to Hong Kong non-permanent residents holding an HKSAR Doc/I or an HKIC. Eligible persons may, after enrolment, use Macao's automated immigration clearance service for immigration clearance.

Apart from immigration-related applications, the smart identity card also supports other non-immigration applications, such as the library card of Hong Kong Public Libraries. Members of the public are free to choose whether to apply for using their identity cards 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 to Hong Kong, and their spouses and dependent children of the age of 11 or above.

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 materials 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/her arrival in Hong Kong or from the date when he/she is so required. In 2023, 751,778 and 292,169 identity cards were issued to permanent residents and non-permanent residents respectively.

The Registration of Persons Tribunal is established under section 3C of the Registration of Persons Ordinance to provide people with a channel of appeal arising from the decision of not to issue a permanent identity card or to declare a permanent identity card issued to be invalid. In 2023, the department received 300 appeals from the tribunal.

Replacement identity cards are issued to persons whose previous identity cards have been lost, destroyed, damaged or defaced, or whose identity cards require amendments because of changes in personal particulars such as the name or date of birth. In 2023, 201,751 replacement identity cards were issued.

One-way Permit entrants aged 11 or above may simultaneously submit applications for a Doc/I when applying for first registration for an HKIC at the ROP – Kowloon Office.

The 24-hour Telephone Appointment Booking System and the service for online appointment booking for identity card application of the GovHK website are introduced to offer convenient booking of registration of persons services. Starting from 12 April 2023, the appointment booking period for identity card application has been extended from 24 working days to 96 working days. Subsequent changes to or cancellation of an appointment can also be made one working day prior to the scheduled appointment date. Furthermore, since 27 April 2023, the function of 'Enquiry to the booking status of ROP Offices' has been added to the appointment booking system to facilitate public enquiries.

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

Certificates of Registered Particulars are issued to provide detailed records of the particulars furnished or reported to a registration officer, including those 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 2023, 46,347 certificates were issued.

One of the main tasks of the department is to maintain registration of persons records of a population of over 7 million. To facilitate storage, retrieval and maintenance of these records, all of them 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.

Through the use of technology, a number of new elements have been introduced into 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 the queuing time and enjoy a faster replacement process. To enhance service efficiency, various self-service kiosks have also been provided in the Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres (SIDCCs) to facilitate the acquisition of tags, filling of forms and collection of new identity cards 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.

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 into the Replacement Exercise:

• starting from 21 January 2019, members of the public who have been called up under their age groups for identity card replacement may bring along up to two family members or friends aged 65 or above to replace their smart identity cards 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 identity cards 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 the PwDs as well as their family members. Disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the department suspended this service since 29 January 2020 in order to minimise the risk of cross infection. As the pandemic subsides, the service has resumed from November 2022 onwards. The department will continue to provide on-site identity card replacement and new smart identity card delivery service for all eligible residents who have yet to replace their identity cards after the completion of the Replacement Exercise. Since the launch of the service, the department had visited more than 700 RCHs and provided on-site new smart identity card replacement service for over 34,100 residents of the RCHs.

Starting from 6 March 2023, the service hours of four ROP Offices, viz., Hong Kong Office, Kowloon Office, Kwun Tong Office and Tuen Mun Office, have been extended to 10pm for processing applications for the replacement for new smart identity cards for persons still holding the old form of smart identity cards after the completion of the Replacement Exercise. From 12 April 2023 onwards, persons already in possession of HKICs reaching 11 or 18 years of age who are required to replace their juvenile or adult identity cards may also make appointment booking for the replacement for HKICs during the extended service hours of the above-mentioned four designated ROP Offices.

In view of the upsurge of demand for other identity card applications since the resumption of normal travel and to enable members of the public to continuously apply for identity cards in an orderly manner, the department launched Special Service Days at the ROP – Hong Kong Office on 5 April (public holiday for Ching Ming Festival) and 7 April 2023 (the first day of the long Easter holidays) to provide different kinds of identity card application services.

To cope with the increasing service demand for identity card registration, the department established the new ROP – Kwun Tong (Temporary) Office on 1 November 2023. The new office processes the following three types of identity card applications:

• Replacement for new smart identity cards for persons still holding the old form of smart identity cards after the completion of the Replacement Exercise;
• Replacement for juvenile or adult identity cards for persons already holding identity cards reaching 11 or 18 years of age; and
• Replacement for permanent identity cards for persons holding HKICs with their eligibility for permanent identity card verified.

Meanwhile, the services at ROP Offices have also been adjusted since 1 November 2023 for more effective deployment of resources and enhancement of efficiency to meet public needs. After launching series of enhancement measures, the department's capacity of processing identity card applications significantly increased by 40 per cent from about 18,000 applications to about 25,000 applications per week, also representing an increase of 1.5 times as compared with the average weekly processing capacity of about 10,000 applications before the pandemic.

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 in the relevant provisions under the Immigration Ordinance.

After Hong Kong's return to the Motherland, the department started to process the right of abode applications in accordance with the Basic Law and the Immigration Ordinance. Eligible applicants aged 11 or above will be arranged to register for a permanent identity card under the provisions of the Registration of Persons Ordinance. Eligible 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 2023, the department received a total of 129,461 Verification of Eligibility for Permanent Identity Card (VEPIC) applications. In the same year, the processing of 127,435 applications in total were finalised.

To provide more facilitation for applicants, e-Services for the submission of VEPIC applications have been provided. Applicants may submit their VEPIC applications online by completing an application form and scanning relevant supporting documents through the GovHK website. Where necessary, they may also make use of the e-Services to submit additional documents, or to enquire about or change their scheduled appointments for verification of the originals of supporting 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 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, and choose to collect their HKSAR passports at Passport Collection Kiosks in a self-service manner.

The department started issuing HKSAR electronic passports on 5 February 2007, and introduced the Next Generation HKSAR Electronic Passport on 14 May 2019. The new electronic passports not only continue to be produced in compliance with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, but also incorporate state-of-the-art security features to boost overseas authorities' confidence in granting HKSAR passport holders visa-free access to their countries and territories. For example, a specially made transparent window with the holder's portrait engraved therein 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 security measures and installations. The HKSAR passport has won international recognition and is regarded as one of the most secure passports in the world.

The department has all along been committed to facilitating members of the public's application for and collection of travel documents. From 30 October 2020 onwards, applicants in Hong Kong or overseas who submit their HKSAR passport applications directly to the department by whichever means may choose to collect their passports at designated CDCMs. Applicants overseas may also submit their applications through the local CDCMs. In 2021, the department introduced new measures for application for and collection of HKSAR travel documents in the Mainland. With effect from 29 November 2021, the Immigration Divisions of the five Mainland Offices of the HKSAR Government process not only applications for replacement for HKSAR passports but also first applications for HKSAR passports from eligible applicants. Applicants who submit their HKSAR passport applications directly to the department by whichever means may choose to collect their passports at the Mainland Offices.

In 2023, the department received 1,457,553 HKSAR passport applications and issued 1,453,395 passports. Over 195,000 applications were recorded in the single month of March. Both the numbers of applications for the whole year and by month reached record highs since the department commenced the issuance of issued HKSAR passports in July 1997. Whilst there was a substantial increase in HKSAR passport applications in 2023, the department managed to achieve its performance pledges by making good use of technology and effective deployment of resources, as well as increasing the processing capacity through improving the passport application process and workflow.

The HKSAR Passports Appeal Board is established under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports (Appeal Board) Regulation to provide unsuccessful applicants of HKSAR passports with a channel of appeal. In 2023, the department received five appeals from the Appeal Board.

A 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. From November 2021 onwards, eligible applicants in the Mainland may submit their applications for replacement for Doc/Is in person at the Immigration Divisions of the Mainland Offices or by post to the department, and may choose to collect their Doc/Is at any Immigration Divisions of the Mainland Offices. In 2023, 54,650 Doc/Is were issued.

A Re-entry Permit is valid for a maximum period of five years and is used for travelling to and from Hong Kong and the Mainland or Macao. It is issued mainly to Hong Kong residents who are Chinese citizens and have the right of abode or have been granted unconditional stay in Hong Kong. Given that most Hong Kong residents have used their identity cards for immigration clearance when travelling 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 and from the Mainland or Macao before they are issued with replacements. From November 2021 onwards, eligible applicants in the Mainland may submit their applications for replacement for Re-entry Permits in person at the Immigration Divisions of the Mainland Offices, and authorise a Hong Kong referee to pay the application fee and collect the Re-entry Permit on their behalf at a selected Immigration Branch Office. In 2023, 95,182 Re-entry Permits 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 2023, 33 Seaman's Identity Books were issued.

With the relaxation of local and global anti-epidemic measures and the gradual resumption of normalcy in society in early 2023, the number of applications for HKSAR passports had increased significantly and the demand for travel document collection services also surged correspondingly. To meet the public demand for application for and collection of HKSAR passports, the service hours of individual offices in various districts were extended according to the actual circumstances of any working days for the processing of all passport issuance and related work. Besides, in view of the increasd demand for travel document collection services during the first summer holidays after the gradual resumption of normalcy in society, the department provided additional special service sessions for the collection of travel documents on two consecutive Saturdays (i.e. 15 and 22 July 2023) to enable members of the public to collect their new travel documents.

Some Immigration Divisions of the Mainland Offices also provided outreach services to Liaison Units, local schools or chambers of commerce to assist Hong Kong residents residing in the Mainland with application submission and collection of travel documents. In early 2023, the department also made special arrangements for cross-boundary students to apply for Re-entry Permits through their schools. Seven Immigration Branch Offices also set up temporary designated counters from July to September for receiving and preliminarily processing all Re-entry Permit applications without setting any service quota.

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 2023, 366 applications for declaration of change of nationality were received from Hong Kong residents.

In 2023, the department received 2,147 applications for naturalisation as a Chinese national, 261 applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality and 15 applications for restoration of Chinese nationality.

For nationality applications (including declaration of change of nationality, naturalisation as a Chinese national, and renunciation and restoration of Chinese nationality), apart from submitting the applications directly to the department, overseas Hong Kong residents may also submit the applications to the department through the local CDCMs.

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 births registries in Hong Kong providing births registration services, viz., one each on Hong Kong Island and 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 2023, 31,932 births were registered and 1,356 births were post-registered.

In addition, to tie in with the government's implementation of the Newborn Baby Bonus scheme from 25 October 2023 onwards, eligible parents may submit their application for the bonus at the same time when registering births of the newborn at a births registry. Eligible parents registering the birth of their babies online may also apply for the bonus together with the registration.

According to the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance, deaths from natural causes should be registered by relevant persons within the statutory time limit. The Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, which came into effect on 31 March 2023, has extended the statutory time limit for registration of deaths from 24 hours to 14 days. There are three deaths 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 2023, 56,776 deaths were registered.

The department introduced new electronic services for online registration of births and deaths on 31 March 2023. Besides, from 15 December 2023 onwards, informants who have completed the birth or death registration online and chosen to collect the relevant certificates at registries in person may also opt to collect the certificates at any births or deaths registries for greater flexibility. As at the end of 2023, a total of 6,232 eligible informants completed the registration of births or deaths online.

All 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 City Hall Marriage Registry and the Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry) and the Marriage 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 2023) licensed places of worship, including churches and Hindu Temple. Moreover, marrying parties may also engage a civil celebrant of marriages to celebrate their marriages at any places other than the marriage registries and the licensed places of worship in Hong Kong. In 2023, 21,555 marriages were celebrated at the marriage registries, 1,129 in the licensed places of worship and 24,834 by civil celebrants of marriages.

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 for members of the public in arranging weddings. It has been well received by the public and has grown in popularity since it was launched. As at the end of 2023, about 399,000 prospective couples (45 per cent of the total number of applications) gave their notices of intended marriage to Registrars of Marriages through civil celebrants, and about 398,000 couples (47 per cent of the total number of marriage registration) 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 2023, one application for post-registration of a marriage was received.

Members of the public may be issued with certified copies of birth, death or marriage certificates 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. In 2023, 267,115 certified copies of birth, death or marriage certificates and 29,675 Certificates of Absence of Marriage Record were issued.