ENG-2007 — Page 487

Population and Immigration | 411

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.

The Registrar of Marriages should be given at least 15 days' notice of an intended marriage which must take place within three months from that date. Other than solemnising the marriages at one of the five marriage registries, or at any of the 262 licensed places of public worship, couples may engage a civil celebrant to celebrate their marriages at any place in Hong Kong. In 2007, 28 121 marriages were celebrated in marriage registries, 2 579 in licensed places of public worship, and 16 728 by civil celebrants.

An appointment to give notice of intended marriage to the Registrar of Marriages can be made through the internet or the Interactive Voice Response System. In 2007, over 99 per cent of parties who filed their marriage notices on the first day of the notice-giving period did it through the appointment system.

The Registrar of Marriages is also responsible for issuing Certificates of Absence of Marriage Records. During the year, 14 225 such certificates were issued.

Births and Deaths

Birth and death registrations in Hong Kong are governed by the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance. Parents must register the birth of their child in Hong Kong with the Registrar of Births and Deaths within 42 days during which registration is free of charge. A fee is charged if the birth is registered after 42 days. Registering a child 12 months after birth requires a registrar's consent. During the year, 51 births required the consent. There are four district birth registries providing birth registration service.

Deaths from natural causes should be registered by relatives within 24 hours. Hong Kong has three death registries providing free service. Death may also be registered at one of the 15 designated police stations in the New Territories and outlying islands.

During the year, 70 394 live births and 39 963 deaths were registered.

Establishment

The Immigration Department had 5 035 disciplined staff at the end of the year compared with 4 658 in 2006, and 1 554 civilian staff compared with 1 534 the previous year.

Websites

Security Bureau: www.sb.gov.hk

Immigration Department: www.immd.gov.hk

Census and Statistics Department: www.censtatd.gov.hk