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Population and Immigration

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 271 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 2018, 22,143 marriages were celebrated in marriage registries, 1,841 in licensed places of worship, and 25,713 by civil celebrants. The registrar issued 19,702 Certificates of Absence of Marriage Record.

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 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. In 2018, 54,330 live births were registered.

Deaths from natural causes should be registered by relatives within 24 hours. Three death registries and 15 designated police stations in the New Territories and outlying islands handle death registration free of charge. In 2018, 47,479 deaths were registered.

Websites

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

Immigration Department: www.immd.gov.hk

Security Bureau: www.sb.gov.hk

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