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Population and Immigration

licensed places of worship. During the year, 12,206 marriages were celebrated in marriage registries, 1,393 in licensed places of worship, and 14,562 by civil celebrants. The registrar issued 7,594 Certificates of Absence of Marriage Record.

Births and Deaths

Under 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 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 services. During the year, 41,955 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 registrations free of charge. During the year, 50,653 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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