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Population and Immigration

cardholders to enjoy self-service immigration clearance via the e-Channels. In 2012, 613,121 smart identity cards were issued.

Nationality Matters

The Immigration Department is authorised by the Central People's Government to handle Chinese nationality applications from Hong Kong residents. Chinese nationals of the HKSAR who want to be treated as foreign nationals in the HKSAR must make a declaration of change of nationality to the Immigration Department. In 2012, the department received 95 applications for declaration of change of nationality, 1,274 applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals, 119 applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality and 5 applications for restoration of Chinese nationality.

Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Outside Hong Kong

The Immigration Department's Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit works closely with the Security Bureau, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in overseas countries, offices of HKSAR Government outside Hong Kong and other government departments to provide practical assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong. During 2012, 1,791 such requests were handled.

The Registration of Outbound Travel Information, introduced in 2010, was enhanced in February 2012 to allow those studying or working overseas to register their overseas mobile phone number and receive SMS sent by 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 but neither party 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. Couples may marry at one of the five marriage registries or any of the 268 licensed places of public worship, or may engage a civil celebrant to celebrate their marriage at any place in Hong Kong. In 2012, a total of 27,863 marriages were celebrated in marriage registries, 2,899 in licensed places of public worship, and 29,511 by civil celebrants.

The Registrar of Marriages is also responsible for issuing Certificates of Absence of Marriage Records and 21,704 were issued in 2012.

Births and Deaths

Under 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.

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