POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION
In 1994, 650 000 new identity cards were issued: 287 800 to new arrivals and persons who reached the ages of 11 or 18 years, and 240 200 to persons who had lost or damaged their identity cards or whose identity cards required amendments.
Naturalisation
During the year, 12 885 applications for naturalisation were received, a 45 per cent decrease compared to 23 474 in 1993.
The deadline for submission of naturalisation/registration applications is March 31, 1996, as stipulated in the Hong Kong (British Nationality) (Amendment) Order 1993. The department began a publicity programme during the year under review to remind eligible persons who wish to apply to become British Dependent Territories citizens of this cut-off date.
Marriages
Marriages in Hong Kong are governed by the Marriage Ordinance and the Marriage Reform Ordinance.
Under the Marriage Ordinance, at least 15 days' notice of an intended marriage must be given to the Registrar of Marriages. The registrar has discretionary powers to reduce the period of notice if there are special circumstances or to grant a special licence dispensing with the notice altogether- but this is done only in exceptional circumstances.
Marriages may take place at any of the 222 places of public worship licensed for the celebration of marriages, or at any of the 10 full-time marriage registries and three part-time sub-registries. Of the 10 full-time marriage registries, four are also open on Sundays. They are the City Hall Marriage Registry, Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry, Sha Tin Marriage Registry and Tsim Sha Tsui Marriage Registry. During the year, 36 165 marriages were performed in the registries and 2 099 at the licensed places of worship. All records are maintained permanently at the General Register Office in the Queensway Government Offices, Hong Kong.
The Marriage Reform Ordinance provides that all marriages entered into in Hong Kong on or after October 7, 1971, shall imply the voluntary union, for life, of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. They may be contracted only in accordance with the Marriage Ordinance. Certain customary marriages and others known as modern marriages remain valid, provided that they were entered into before October 7, 1971. Such marriages may be post-registered or dissolved. During the year, 24 customary and 32 modern marriages were post-registered.
Special arrangements have been made to enable Vietnamese migrants in detention centres to register their marriages in Hong Kong. In 1994, 804 marriages were contracted under these arrangements.
The Registrar of Marriages is also responsible for issuing Certificates of Absence of Marriage Records to local residents. During the year, 29 822 such certificates were issued, down 1.67 per cent from the 30 329 issued in 1993.
Births and Deaths
The registration of births and deaths is compulsory. All such records are kept in the General Register Office.
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