POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION
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and employs state-of-the-art technologies to make it more secure and fraud-resistant. While the personal particulars of the cardholder are engraved by laser on the card surface, the templates of his two thumbprints as well as his facial image are stored in the chip and protected by sophisticated cryptographic techniques. The smart identity cards enable the Immigration Department to use the fingerprint identification technology to quickly authenticate the cardholder's identity and make possible the introduction of an Automated Passenger Clearance System and Automated Vehicle Clearance System in the near future.
Pursuant to the Registration of Persons (Application for New Identity Cards) Order made by the Secretary for Security in mid-year, a territory-wide replacement exercise for the smart identity cards was launched on August 18. Existing identity card holders are being invited to have their identity cards replaced within specified periods according to age groups. The whole exercise is expected to be completed within four years.
To implement the replacement exercise, nine Smart Identity Card Centres have been set up at convenient locations on Hong Kong Island, in East Kowloon, West Kowloon, Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Sheung Shui, Yuen Long and Tseung Kwan O. For the convenience of the public, all centres are open from 8 am to 9.15 pm, Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday and public holidays.
A simple and user-friendly appointment system for submitting applications under the replacement exercise is in place. People can make bookings round-the-clock through either the Internet under the Electronic Service Delivery Scheme or the Interactive Voice Response System. The booking service is well received and about 70 per cent of the applicants made appointments through the system.
Marriages
Marriage registration in Hong Kong is governed by the Marriage Ordinance. All marriages contracted under the ordinance involve the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. There is no residential or nationality requirement for marrying parties but neither of them can be under the age of 16 years.
Normally, the Registrar of Marriages should be given at least 15 days' notice of an intended marriage and the marriage must take place within three months of the giving of the notice. A marriage can take place in one of the five marriage registries, or any of the 246 licensed places of public worship. In 2003, 32 979 marriages were celebrated in the marriage registries and 2 453 in licensed places of public worship.
Since December 20, 2001, people may book an appointment for giving of the marriage notice through the Internet under the Electronic Service Delivery Scheme or the Interactive Voice Response System. The booking system has proved to be useful and convenient, with over 98 per cent of the parties who filed their marriage notices on the first day of the notice-giving period booking their appointments through the system.
The Registrar of Marriages is also responsible for issuing Certificates of Absence of Marriage Records. During the year, 14 357 such certificates were issued.
Births and Deaths
Births and deaths registrations in Hong Kong are governed by the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance. Parents must report the birth of their child in Hong Kong to