ENG-2017 — Page 361

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Population and Immigration

Smart Identity Card

The smart identity card issued by the department is highly fraud-resistant, making use of fingerprint recognition technology to authenticate the cardholder's identity and enabling cardholders to enjoy self-service immigration clearance via e-Channels. In 2017, 579,436 smart identity cards were issued.

Nationality Matters

The 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 department. In 2017, there were 161 applications for declaration of change of nationality, 1,534 applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals, 160 applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality and three applications for restoration of Chinese nationality.

Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Outside Hong Kong

The Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit under the department 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, overseas Chinese diplomatic and consular missions, consulates in Hong Kong, HKSAR Government offices outside Hong Kong and other government departments to provide practical assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong. A 24-hour hotline, (852) 1868, provides emergency assistance to Hong Kong residents in any country or territory. In 2017, the unit handled 3,311 assistance requests.

Marriages

Marriage registration 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 either party cannot 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 any of the five marriage registries or 272 licensed places of worship, or engage a civil celebrant to celebrate their marriage at any place in Hong Kong other than the marriage registries and licensed places of worship. In 2017, 22,621 marriages were celebrated in marriage registries, 1,975 in licensed places of worship, and 26,307 by civil celebrants. The registrar issued 20,160 Certificates of Absence of Marriage Records in 2017.

Births and Deaths

Under the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance, parents shall register the birth of their child in Hong Kong with the Registrar of Births and Deaths within 42 days of the birth. Registration is free of charge during that 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. Four district birth registries provide birth registration service.

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