ENG-2011 — Page 501

Population and Immigration | 429

Following the implementation of the Registration of Outbound Travel Information (ROTI) service in late 2010, the Immigration Department continued to work with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer to enhance the service. Starting from December 12, 2011, registrants can receive updates on Outbound Travel Alert and related public information via their registered internet email address in addition to their My Messages box of MyGovHK.

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 then take place within three months of the notice. Other than solemnising the marriages at one of the five marriage registries or any of the 261 licensed places of public worship, couples may engage a civil celebrant to celebrate their marriage at any place in Hong Kong. In 2011, a total of 26 831 marriages were celebrated in marriage registries, 2 849 in licensed places of public worship, and 28 203 by civil celebrants.

The Registrar of Marriages is also responsible for issuing Certificates of Absence of Marriage Records. During the year, 14 603 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 children in Hong Kong with the Registrar of Births and Deaths within 42 days of the birth. Registration is free of charge during the period. A fee is charged if the birth is. registered after 42 days. Registration later than 12 months after birth requires the registrar's consent. There are four district birth registries providing birth registration. service. Since March 9, 2010, all parents applying for birth registration of their newborn babies have been required to make prior appointment bookings.

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

During the year, 95 348 live births and 42 188 deaths were registered.

Websites

Security Bureau: www.sb.gov.hk

Immigration Department: www.immd.gov.hk

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