It is joyful to have a new member in the family. While parents are busily engaged in the hard work of child-minding, they should not forget to register the birth of their baby within 42 days of delivery. The procedures for registration of a child’s birth will be introduced.
Under the relevant Ordinance, a birth will be registered upon receipt by the registrar of the relevant birth return (a document that records a baby's birth) from the hospital in which the baby is born. Registering the birth of a newborn baby can be made in-person by making prior appointment booking through either the Internet or the telephone booking system, or parents may directly make an online birth registration if they are eligible to use such service.
Important Note:
Under section 7 of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance, Chapter 174, Laws of Hong Kong, parents of every child born shall apply for the registration of the child's birth at a birth registry within a period of 42 days after the day of such birth. It is a criminal offence if anyone deliberately fails to register the birth of a child as required by the law. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of HK$2,000 fine or up to six months' imprisonment. Parents are required to register the birth of their children in accordance with the law, so as to avoid undermining the rights of their children to medical treatment, education and welfare benefits due to late registration.
Birth registration is free of charge within 42 days of the birth. A registration fee will be charged if the birth is registered after the period of 42 days but within one year. After one year, a birth can be registered only with the consent of the Registrar of Births and Deaths and upon payment of a registration fee. If parent wants to obtain a certified copy of the birth entry (commonly known as birth certificate) after registration of the birth, a prescribed fee will be charged. Parents are advised to register the birth of their baby within the free registration period after the baby's birth return has been electronically transmitted from the hospital to the Births Registry.