POPULATION
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known as 'modern marriages' provided, in each case, they were entered into before October 7, 1971. The ordinance also makes provision for the post-registration of these marriages, and for their dissolution. During the year, 43 customary and 21 modern marriages were post-registered.
Births and Deaths
The registration of births and deaths is compulsory, and facilities for registration are provided throughout Hong Kong. The General Register Office in Central District keeps all records of births and deaths, and there are sub-registries in all main urban and rural districts. In the outlying areas and islands, births are registered at various rural committee offices by visiting district registrars, and deaths are registered at local police stations.
The statutory period during which a birth should be registered is 42 days from the date of birth. There is no registration fee. However, for registration between the end of the 42-day period and the expiration of one year from the date of birth, a fee of $5 is charged. During the year, 85,406 live births and 25,987 deaths were registered, compared with 82,175 and 26,179, respectively, in 1979. The figures, when adjusted for under-registration, gave a natural increase in population for 1980 of approximately 60,112.
A birth which has not been registered within one year may be post-registered with the consent of the Registrar of Births and Deaths and on payment of a $30 fee. During the year, 1,412 births were post-registered.
The Immigration Department is responsible for the registration of births, deaths and marriages in Hong Kong.
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