Registering the birth of your baby is a fairly simple process in Hong Kong. The hospital should give you a birth return (a document that records the baby’s birth) and automatically sends a registration to the birth registry, which is run by the Hong Kong Immigration Services. Upon the receipt of the documents by the registrar, which typically takes two weeks, you can make an appointment at the Births and Deaths General Register Office.

To speed things along, you can verify with the hospital the date the registration was sent and follow-up with the registry to ensure that they have received the paperwork by calling their Hotline 2824 6111.

You are required to register your baby within 42 days of delivery; otherwise, a registration fee of $140 will be charged for registrations after the 42 days period but within 1 year. Once the birth has been registered you can obtain a Birth Certificate.

Birth registrations are to be made in the district that the child was born in. The Government website lists Hong Kong’s hospitals/clinics and their respective districts here:

http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/bdmreg/birth/address/index.htm

If your baby is born before arrival at your hospital or clinic, you should also register at the Births and Deaths General Register Office.

There is daily quota of registrations at each office. To avoid disappointment and delays its best to book an appointment online or by calling 2598 0888

Married couples, you do not need to bring your baby to register, and only one parent is necessary. The documents you will require are: your marriage certificate, both of your Hong Kong identity cards, or other valid travel documents (e.g. passports).

Unmarried couples, you will need both parent’s Statutory Declaration to confirm the paternity of the child, in addition to your identification documents. Both of you must attend to make a joint request. If only one parent applies, it is more complicated and you will need a Court Order to confirm the paternity.

Birth registrations normally takes 30 minutes to complete, and a Birth certificate is issued within another 10 minutes.

For more information, and the address and office hours of the Birth Register Offices visit:
http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/bdmreg/birth/birthreg/regbirth.htm