The birth of your child is an exciting time, and amidst the joy, it’s crucial to ensure their birth is properly registered in compliance with the legal framework. Here is a simple guide to assist you in registering your newborn’s birth in Hong Kong.
Registering a birth does not incur a fee if it is made within 42 days of the birth. If it is made after 42 days of the birth but within 1 year, a registration fee of HK$140 will be charged. After 1 year, the registration fee will be HK$680.
“Birth Return”
When your baby is born at a hospital or maternity home in Hong Kong, a ‘Birth Return’ document will be electronically transferred to the birth registrar. The Birth return was formerly available as a physical slip and was given to the parent(s) but now is fully digitalized.
Fill up Information Required for Registration of Birth
Filling up the Form BDR93A online is NOT required, however, it will significantly speed up the processing time for birth registration during your appointment. This online service is can be found on: https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/bdmreg/birth/birthreg/onlinesubmissionbirthreg.htm Remember to submit this at least one day before your scheduled appointment. This should match the information given to the hospital, and in turn should match the birth return form.
The following information will be asked in the form:
Name of the child
Nationality of the child
Full name of parents
Hong Kong identity card no. / travel document no. of parents
Nationality of parents
Date and place of marriage of parents, and marriage certificate no.
Parents’ telephone no. and address
Make an Appointment and Visit the Birth Registry
You don’t need to bring the baby for birth registration.
Within 42 days of your child’s birth, visit the Births Registry of the district where the child was born. If the baby was born in a hospital, the hospital staff will guide you to the correct Births Registry.
It is a criminal offense to deliberately fails to register the birth of the new-born within this time period and can result in a maximum penalty of a fine of HK$2,000 or up to six months’ imprisonment.
Submit the Required Documents
At the Births Registry, provide the original copies of:
Identification documents (HKID, passport etc.)
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
For unmarried couples, the birth can either be registered by father or mother. For single mothers, the father’s details will not be included on the birth certificate and if needed, the father’s details can be added at a later date by completing an application for the re-registration of a child’s birth.
Receiving the Birth Certificate
After the Births Registry has received all the required information and documents online, birth registration will usually be completed within 3 working days. The informant will then receive notifications in email from the Births Registry notifying him/her that the birth registration is completed and the certified copy of the birth entry (if applicable) is ready for collection or delivery by post.
If you visited the birth registry in person, you will receive the birth certificate on the same day.
If you plan on applying for other countries’ citizenship for your baby, it is advisable for you to obtain a few extra copies of the birth certificate, which costs $140 HKD each. Payment can be made by cash, EPS, Octopus, FPS, crossed cheque or cashier’s order.
Conclusion
In conclusion, registering a newborn in Hong Kong is a relatively straightforward process that is essential for ensuring that the child receives legal recognition and protection under the law. Parents must submit the required documents and information to the Births and Deaths General Register Office within 42 days of the child’s birth, and they may also choose to apply for a birth certificate and Hong Kong Identity Card for their child at the same time. By completing these steps, parents can ensure that their child has access to important services and benefits, such as healthcare, education, and social welfare, and that they are recognized as a legal member of their family and society.
Hello! I am Sanchal, a Hong Kong-Indian Medical graduate from HKU. My aim is to utilize my medical training and knowledge to produce bite-sized, well-researched articles to help parents make informed decisions. I am an avid reader, writer and traveller and hope to make a positive impact to thousands of lives in the decades to come!
