XN000022-1984-07-30 — Page 8

MONDAY, JULY 30, 1984

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WRONG REASON BEHIND LATE BIRTH REGISTRATION

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ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THE PARENTS IN HONG KONG DO NOT REGISTER THE BIRTHS OF THEIR CHILDREN WITHIN THE SPECIFIED 42-DAY PERIOD.

+THE PARENTS OF A CHILD BORN IN A HOSPITAL, A MATERNITY HOME OR A CLINIC WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF THE BIRTH REGISTRATION PAMPHLET, REMINDING THEM OF THE NEED TO REGISTER THE BABY'S BIRTH WITHIN 42 DAYS AT A SPECIFIED REGISTRY, + MR T.S. KWAN, SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICER OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, SAID.

THE MAIN REASON FOR LATE REGISTRATION IS THAT PARENTS HAVE NOT DECIDED ON THE NAME OF THE IR BABY BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

+THIS IS WRONG REASONING, BECAUSE BY LAW, THE BIRTH OF EVERY CHILD MUST BE REGISTERED WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD. IN FACT, A CHILD'S NAME CAN BE ADDED OR CHANGED BEFORE HE REACHES THE AGE OF 11, + MR KWAN EXPLAINED.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THE BIRTH REGISTRATION OF A CHILD MADE WITHIN 42 DAYS. BUT A $10 FEE IS IMPOSED FOR A REGISTRATION MADE AFTER THE PERIOD BUT WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE CHILD'S BIRTH.

+BEYOND ONE YEAR, REGISTRATION CAN ONLY BE MADE WITH THE CONSENT OF THE REGISTRAR OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS AND ON PAYMENT OF $60,+ MR KWAN SAID.

THOUGH IT IS UP TO THE PARENTS TO APPLY FOR A BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR THEIR CHILD, IT IS ADVISABLE FOR THEM TO OBTAIN ONE AT A NOMINAL FEE OF $10.

+A BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS ALWAYS USEFUL WHEN A CHILD APPLIES FOR ADMISSION TO SCHOOL, FOR AN IDENTITY CARD OR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT,+ MR KWAN SAID.

HE SQUASHED RUMOURS THAT ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN COULD NOT BE REGISTERED.

+ THE NAME AND PROFESSION OF THE FATHER OF AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILJ WILL NOT BE ENTERED IN THE BIRTH REGISTER UNLESS BOTH HE AND THE MOTHER JOINTLY REQUEST FOR SUCH INCLUSION. IN THIS CASE, BOTH MUST SIGN ON THE REGISTER,+ MR KWAN SAID.

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