Parents should complete birth registration for their newborn within 42 days of their child’s birth free-of-charge.
Late registrations received between 42 days and one year after the date of birth will be charged a prescribed fee of $140.
For registrations received after one year, parents must
- Obtain consent from the Registrar of Births and Deaths, and
- Pay a fee of $680.
There are 2 ways to complete the birth registration process:
- Steps for Online registration (for registered users of “iAM Smart+” mobile app)
- Steps for In-person registration
Step 1. Check the online application requirements
To register online, you must meet these requirements:
- Be the child’s father or mother
- Either parent must be a Hong Kong Permanent Resident
- The child must be legitimate
- Registration must be within 42 days of birth
- You must be a registered user of the “iAM Smart+” mobile app
Step 2. Prepare documents for submission
You will need to provide:
- Copies of both parents’ Hong Kong ID cards or travel documents
- A copy of the parents’ marriage certificate (if married outside Hong Kong), with a certified translation if it is not in Chinese or English
Step 3. Provide digital signature
After receiving the SMS or email notifications, you then need to verify the information and digitally sign the form using “iAM Smart+”.
The entire process takes about 3 working days (excluding confirmation time).
You can opt for a birth certificate for $140.
You have to make an online reservation for in-person registration.
Prior to selecting the date of appointment in your booking, you should confirm with the hospital where your child was born to ensure that the birth return has been delivered to the Births Registry concerned.
After confirmation, you can make an appointment by phone (2598 0888) or through the online appointment system, both of which provide 24-hour service.
Step 1. Book an appointment online
1. Visit the website here and click “Online appointment booking for birth registration” (the green button).
2. After entering the online system, you will first see the following options, click “Make Appointment” to start:
3. Input birth details
4. Select appointment date
5. Select appointment time
6. Submit appointment booking
7. Complete Acknowledgement
Step 2. Prepare your supporting documents
If the parents of the child are married, you only have to prepare
- both parents’ identity document (HKID card or passports, etc.) and
- the original marriage certificate
The entire in-person applications take around 30 minutes. You will be asked whether to obtain a physical copy of the birth certificate for $140. This extra service takes 10 more minutes to process.
You may submit required information as listed below at least one day before your appointment date through this Online Submission of Information Required for Registration of Birth.
- Name, nationality of the child
- Full name, nationality, Hong Kong identity card no. / travel document no. of parents
- Date and place of marriage of parents, and marriage certificate no.
- Parents’ telephone no. and address
You may also download and complete the information sheet in advance and submit it at the time of registration.
- Carefully confirm the Chinese characters and English spelling of your child’s name
- The birth certificate costs $140, payable by cash, FPS, or EPS
- Consider how many copies of birth certificates you need in advance
- Verify the accuracy of parents’ personal details
Parents can apply for a name change or name addition at any Birth Registry before their child turns 11. The child does not have to be present. However, the parent must attend in person and present the child’s birth certificate.
Fees and Duration
The process typically takes 25 minutes to complete. If the application is made within 42 days of birth, this service is free-of-charge. After that and before the child turns 11, a fee of $425 applies.
The updated birth certificate can be collected after 9 working days upon payment of the statutory fee of $140.
If you wish to apply for or obtain another certified copy of the birth certificate, you can request a Search of Birth Records and/or a Certified Copy of a Birth Entry.
Process
During application, you must present an old birth certificate / its photocopy, or the results of a previous record search.
- In-Person submission takes about 10 minutes. If no record search is required, the processing time is about 7 working days.
- Online submissions takes 10-20 minutes. You will be notified of the time to collect the brith certificate at a designated registry office.
Costs
- Local applications charge $140 per copy
- Overseas applications charge $275 per copy, plus standard airmail charges
Individuals born in Hong Kong who have not registered their birth within 1 year can apply for post-registration at Births and Deaths General Register Office, 3rd Floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Office, 66 Queensway. Applicants over 16 should apply in person. Parents or legal guardians of children under 16 should submit the application on their behalf.
No fees are charged at the time of application. However, once approved, a fee of $680 should be paid.
Re-registration Process
The applicant’s parents must swear an oath declaring that the applicant was indeed born in Hong Kong. The oath must include information about the applicant, their parents’ duration of residence in Hong Kong, marriage date, and the birth dates and places of other siblings.
Once the General Registry Office receives the application, appointments will be scheduled in order to meet witnesses, complete statutory oath procedures, and review supporting documents.
Additionally, parents can apply for more than one copy of the birth certificate, each costing HK$140.
Hong Kong residents can only apply for a child identity card at 11. So, if you wish to buy medical insurance for your child, you need to complete the birth registration first for underwriting purposes.
1. Which Birth Registry should I choose for birth registration?
You may opt for either
- the Birth Registry of the district in which your child was delivered; or
- Tseung Kwan O Births Registry
Please check with your hospital to ensure the birth return has been delivered to the concerned Birth Registry before booking an in-person appointment,.
2. Do I have to bring along my baby for registration?
No. The child does not have to be present for the registration.
If the parents are married, the application can be completed by either the father or mother.
3. Where can I apply for a birth certificate?
- The Births and Deaths General Register Office: 3/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway
- Kowloon Births Registry: Lower Ground Floor, 28 Kimberley Street, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
- Sha Tin District Births Registry: 3/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin, New Territories
- Tseung Kwan O Births Registry: 2/F, Administration Tower, Immigration Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories
- Tuen Mun District Births Registry: G/F, Tuen Mun Siu Lun Government Complex, 19 Siu Lun Street, Tuen Mun, New Territories
4. Under what circumstances do I need to present my child's birth certificate?
Birth certificates are used for a wide range of purposes. They must be presented or submitted when enrolling in schools, going to Maternal and Child Health Centres, opening bank accounts for your child, and applying for public housing or other government benefits.
Author
The Bowtie Life Insurance Company Limited is an authorized life insurance company and Hong Kong’s very first virtual insurer approved. Through the use of modern technology and medical expertise, Bowtie offers an agent-free, commission-free and more convenient online platform for customers to quote, apply and claim for Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) anytime anywhere. Bowtie is ranked first in the direct channel sales throughout 2021.
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