- Parents must register a birth within 42 days of the baby’s birth. Registering after 42 days but within one year requires a statutory fee of HK$140.
- Replacing a birth certificate costs HK$140 per copy for local applications and HK$275 per copy for overseas applications, plus ordinary airmail postage.
- Before a child turns 11, parents can apply at any birth registry to add a name or change a name.
- A Chinese name can have up to 6 characters and an English name up to 40 characters (including spaces).
A certified copy of a newborn’s birth registration entry (commonly known as a birth certificate) has many uses.
Parents should register their child’s birth as soon as possible. It is a legal duty, and it also saves money and time.
How Soon After a Baby’s Birth Must the Birth Be Registered?
Under Hong Kong’s Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance (Cap. 174), parents must register a baby’s birth within 42 days. Failure to do so can lead to a fine or imprisonment.
| Statutory fee | |
|---|---|
| Registered after 42 days but within one year | $140 |
| Registered after one year | Requires approval from the Registrar of Births and Deaths and payment of HK$680 |
To avoid harming a child’s rights, register the child’s birth as the law requires.
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Missed the 42-day deadline for birth registration?
Feel free to check your situation with us.
Replacing and Obtaining a Hong Kong Birth Certificate, and Late Registration: Procedure and Fees
Before booking a birth registration, parents should check with the hospital where the baby was born that the newborn notification form has been sent to the Birth Registry.
Once that is confirmed, you can book by phone (2598 0888) or through the online booking system, both available 24 hours. In the online system you complete these steps in order:
- Enter the birth details
- Choose a date
- Choose a time
- Submit the booking
Replacing a birth certificate: process and fees
To apply for or replace a certified copy of a birth registration record (commonly called a birth certificate), you can apply for a search of the birth records and/or for a certified copy.
To collect a certified copy of a birth registration record, you must show the original certified copy or a photocopy of it, or the result of an earlier birth records search.
| Processing time and fees | |
|---|---|
| Applying in person | Processing takes about 10 minutes |
| No records search needed | Processing takes about 7 working days |
| Online application | Processing takes 10 to 20 minutes, and you will be told when to collect the certificate from the registry you chose |
| Local application | HK$140 per replacement copy |
| Overseas application | HK$275 per copy, plus ordinary airmail postage |
Late birth registration: process and fees
If you were born in Hong Kong and your birth was not registered within 1 year, you can apply for late registration at the Births and Deaths General Register Office in Admiralty.
If you are over 16, you must apply in person. If you are under 16, a parent or legal guardian applies on your behalf.
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| At application | No fee |
| After approval | HK$680 is payable |
During late registration, the applicant’s parents must swear a declaration that the applicant was born in Hong Kong. The affidavit should include:
- The applicant’s details
- How many years the parents have lived in Hong Kong
- The date of the marriage
- The dates and places of birth of any brothers and sisters, and so on
After receiving an application, the registry arranges the witnesses, the sworn declaration and the checking of supporting documents in order of application.
Also, whether for first registration, a name change or late registration, parents can apply for several copies of the birth certificate, at HK$140 each.
You can start a birth certificate application at these locations:
| Address | |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong Island | 3/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway |
| Kowloon | Lower Ground Floor, 28 Kimberley Street, Tsim Sha Tsui |
| Sha Tin | 3/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin |
| Tuen Mun | G/F, Tuen Mun Siu Lun Government Complex, 19 Siu Lun Street, Tuen Mun |
Documents Needed to Apply for a Hong Kong Birth Certificate
For children of married couples, you only need to bring the parents’ identity cards and the original marriage certificate. The whole process takes about 30 minutes.
When that is done, staff will ask whether you want a “copy” (commonly called the birth certificate). If you do, wait about another 10 minutes.
The day before your appointment, parents can submit the details needed for birth registration in advance to save time. The details include:
- Baby’s name
- Baby’s nationality
- Parents’ full names
- Parents’ Hong Kong identity card numbers or travel document numbers
- Parents’ nationalities
- The date and place of the parents’ marriage, and the marriage certificate number
- Parents’ phone numbers and addresses (we suggest giving addresses in English)
Points to Note When Applying for a Birth Certificate
- Check carefully how the baby’s Chinese and English names are written
- A copy costs HK$140, payable only by cash, FPS or EPS
- Work out how many copies you need and bring enough money
- Check the parents’ personal details
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Applying Online and with iAM Smart: Birth Certificate Procedure and Fees
The 2023 amendment to the births and deaths registration regulations took effect on 31 March 2023, introducing electronic services for birth and death registration.
If either the father or the mother of a newborn is a Hong Kong permanent resident, they can submit a birth registration application online for their child born in wedlock within 42 days of the birth.
If you also want a certified copy of the birth registration record (the birth certificate), you can apply for it online at the same time, choose to receive it by post and pay the fee online.
Criminal liability for failing to register a birth
- Under section 7 of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance (Cap. 174), parents must register a baby’s birth at the Birth Registry within 42 days.
- Anyone who deliberately fails to register a baby’s birth as required commits an offence and, if convicted, can be fined up to HK$2,000 or imprisoned for six months.
- Parents should register the birth as the law requires, so that late registration does not harm the child’s access to healthcare, education, welfare and other rights.
Applying online | Who can apply
You can apply for a birth certificate online if you meet the following conditions:
- The applicant is the baby’s father or mother
- One of the baby’s parents is a Hong Kong permanent resident
- The baby is a child born in wedlock
- The birth is registered within 42 days of the baby’s birth
- The applicant has successfully registered as a user of the “iAM Smart+” mobile app
Applying online | Documents needed
To apply online, prepare the following documents:
- Fill in the details needed for birth registration
- Upload copies of the baby’s father’s and mother’s Hong Kong identity cards or travel documents
- Upload a copy of the parents’ marriage certificate (only if they married outside Hong Kong). If the marriage certificate is not in Chinese or English, you must upload a certified translation.
These documents are normally used to verify that the baby is a permanent resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115). Depending on the case, you may be asked for other supporting documents.
Steps to register a birth
-
Submit your application
You can submit the birth registration details and supporting documents through a link on the GovHK website. After you complete the online application, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with the application number and the details of your application.
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Review
You can check the status of your application on the website. After receiving it, the Birth Registry normally completes its review within 10 working days, and may ask you for extra documents.
-
Receiving the certificate
When the review is complete, you will receive an electronic copy of the certified birth registration record. If you choose to receive the birth certificate by post, you pay the fee online and it is normally posted within 7 working days.
Under section 23 of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance (Cap. 174), the fees for a birth certificate are:
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a birth registration record (the birth certificate) | HK$140 |
| Copy of a corrected registration record (if needed) | HK$220 (per copy) |
On the website, you can pay by the following methods:
- Credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express)
- Online payment platform (such as PayPal)
- Bank transfer
- Other online payment methods (such as Alipay or WeChat Pay)
Please note
- Online payments may carry a handling fee. Check the payment platform’s charges for details.
You can use the application number to check progress on the GovHK website. If necessary, you can also contact the Birth Registry by e-mail or phone to ask about the status.
Getting a birth certificate with the iAM Smart app
By opening the iAM Smart app, you can register a birth in the following ways:
- Open the iAM Smart app on your phone.
- Tap the iAM Smart scan button and scan the QR code.
After you confirm the details and sign the birth registration form, you can apply straight away for a certified copy of the birth registration entry (the birth certificate).
You can choose to collect it in person at the Birth Registry or receive it by post.
If you choose post, you can pay by:
- Credit card (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay)
- PPS or FPS
- If you choose to collect it in person, you pay when you collect the document at your chosen Birth Registry.
After you submit all the required details and documents online, you will usually receive an e-mail and an SMS from the registry within 3 working days.
The notice says that the birth registration is complete and that the certified copy of the birth registration entry (if applicable) is ready for collection or posting.
The 3 working days above do not include the time taken to confirm the birth registration form (“Form 1”). Working days are Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| Birth registered within 42 days of the baby’s birth | Free |
| Each certified copy of a birth registration entry | HK$140 (for collection in person or posting within Hong Kong) |
| Specific records search later on | HK$140 |
| General records search later on | HK$680 |
If you do not apply for a certified copy when you register the birth, you will later need to apply for a search of the birth records and pay a search fee. See the fee schedule (BDR100) for details.
Documents needed for collection
To collect a certified copy of a baby’s birth registration entry at the Immigration Department’s Birth Registry, you must show:
- The applicant’s Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document
- A printout of the online birth registration application confirmation
- If you want someone else to collect the birth certificate for you, that person must show the original authorisation letter signed by the applicant, and a copy of the applicant’s Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document
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Changing a Name on a Hong Kong Birth Certificate, and Deed Poll: Process and Fees
Before a child turns 11, parents can apply at any birth registry to add a name or change a name.
The child does not need to attend. The parents only need to swear a declaration in person and show the child’s birth certificate. The application usually takes about 25 minutes.
If the child is 11 or older, however, only the parent with custody needs to apply. To change a surname, written consent from a parent or legal guardian is required.
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| Applying to add a name or change a name within 42 days of birth | No fee |
| Applying after 42 days | HK$425 |
| Collecting the certified copy of the amended birth registration record | Within 9 working days of submitting the application, after paying the statutory fee of HK$140 |
How to change your name by deed poll
Everyone has the right to change their name and surname. In Hong Kong, changing your name requires a solicitor to prepare a Deed Poll.
The solicitor drafts the deed poll to your instructions, and in most cases it can be done quickly.
A deed poll is relatively cheap: HK$500 (all fees included) is enough to have one done.
Once you have the deed poll, you first go to the Immigration Department’s Registration of Persons Office to replace your identity card.
After that, you can gradually update your bank accounts and other records to the new name. The Immigration Department’s fee is HK$420.
-
Fill in Form ROP73
To change the name on your Hong Kong identity card, fill in and submit Form ROP73. You can download it from the Immigration Department website.
-
Submit the application form to the Registration of Persons Office
You can submit the application form and supporting documents by e-mail (eto_rop@immd.gov.hk), by post or in person.
-
Interview
If the application form and documents are accepted, an interview will be arranged. Bring the original documents. Once your application is approved, your photo will be taken for the new identity card. The fee for the identity card is HK$460.
Not sure how to add a name or change a name?
If in doubt, feel free to contact our dedicated consultants.
Hong Kong’s Legal Rules and Limits on Changing Names
Hong Kong law allows you to change the surname and given names on your identity card, with no limit on how many times.
You can register a Chinese and English name or an English name only, and the law does not require you to follow your parents’ surname.
| Rule | |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | Up to 6 characters |
| English name | Up to 40 characters (including spaces) |
| Changing a given name under 18 | Needs the consent of a parent or legal guardian |
| Changing a surname under 18 | Needs the consent of both parents |
Please note
- A child aged 11 or over cannot add a name or change a name on the birth certificate, but can still change the name on the identity card.
Are there banned characters?
The Registration of Persons Office in Hong Kong has no written rule banning particular words from names.
Even so, since a name is important personal data, most people choose one they like that will not offend others.
Can you invent a new Chinese character?
In Hong Kong, you cannot invent a new Chinese character for a name.
In general, the Immigration Department allows only Chinese characters listed in the government character set. The Hong Kong government character set uses the “ISO/IEC 10646 international coding standard”, supplemented by the Hong Kong Supplementary Character Set.
If in doubt, check the relevant database first and confirm with the Registration of Persons Office.
If you want a new character added to the government character set, you can apply to the government’s Chinese Interface Advisory Committee working group for consideration.
How to Update the Name on a Hong Kong SAR Passport
After changing your name and getting your new identity card, you need to update the name on your Hong Kong SAR passport.
Please note
- If you are outside Hong Kong, you need a Hong Kong permanent resident identity card to apply for a name change.
First, download and complete Form ID854 (application to change a Hong Kong SAR passport), then submit it to the Immigration Department. You can download the form from the Immigration Department website.
Prepare these documents:
- Deed poll: the legal name-change document accepted by the Immigration Department in Hong Kong. It must be witnessed and signed by a notary public.
- Other documents: such as a marriage certificate or foreign passport. We suggest asking the Hong Kong Immigration Department beforehand.
Fill in the necessary forms:
- ROP 73: Application to change registered particulars on a Hong Kong identity card
- ROP 143: Application by a person aged 18 or over living overseas for a Hong Kong permanent identity card
- ID 843: Application for a Hong Kong SAR passport (for applicants aged 16 or over applying outside Hong Kong)
- ID 853A: Fee payment form for collecting a Hong Kong SAR passport at a Chinese diplomatic or consular mission (CDCM)
- You also need to attach a blank ID 845: form for overseas processing of a Hong Kong SAR passport and/or Hong Kong permanent identity card
Choose the consulate (CDCM) to which you want your new Hong Kong passport and identity card sent. The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China lists the details of consulates around the world.
Post all application forms, a cheque (for the exact government processing fee), copies of supporting documents (a copy of the deed poll) and your Hong Kong identity card to this address:
- 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- 4/F, Immigration Tower
- Travel Documents and Nationality (Applications) Section, Immigration Department
Finally, collect your new identity card and passport. If the Hong Kong Immigration Department accepts the application, you collect the identity card and travel documents at the consulate you chose earlier.
Please note
- Given the effects of the pandemic, we suggest asking the local embassy about current arrangements.
- In some cases, certain consulates will courier the identity card and passport straight to you.
More tips on divorce procedure
- Domestic violence in Hong Kong: definition, effects and where to get help
- Apply for divorce
- How do I apply for a divorce?
- Divorce mediation in Hong Kong: the process and its benefits
- Spot the common mistakes in the divorce process, and do not let emotion take over
- What to know about affairs and infidelity in divorce in Hong Kong
Not sure how to update your passport name?
Get in touch, and a dedicated consultant will first understand your situation.
