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Marriage registration

Notice of intended marriage

	A marriage can take place at a marriage registry by a registrar; or in a licensed place of public worship by a competent minister or at any other place in Hong Kong by a civil celebrant of marriages. A written notice of intended marriage on the prescribed form must be given in advance either directly at a marriage registry or through a civil celebrant of marriages in Hong Kong.
	There are no residential requirements on the marrying parties.
	The minimum legal age for getting married is 16 years of age (Gregorian reckoning).

How to give a notice of intended marriage

The notice, except for an overseas notice, is given by one or both of the parties to the proposed marriage at the marriage registry or through the civil celebrant of marriages with their Hong Kong identity cards or travel documents.

It is not necessary to fill in any application form at the time the notice is given by the marrying parties. However, to facilitate the printing of the notice, the following personal particulars of the parties must be provided:-

	name and surname;
	marital condition (i.e. whether bachelor/spinster; widower/widow; a divorced person; or previously married by any form of marriage);
	occupation;
	age;
	residential address;
	the full name of parents of each of the parties and,
	in the case of a party under the age of 21 - the name and address of the person consenting to the marriage, and also the capacity of this person (i.e. the relevant person or persons specified in the Third Schedule to the Marriage Ordinance). Proof of relationship with the relevant person(s) is required.
	To shorten the processing time at registrar's office of giving the Notice of Intended Marriage, marrying parties may choose to complete the 'Information Required for Registration of Marriage' (MR21B) in advance and submit it at the time the notice is given. Please note: 'Information Required for Registration of Marriage' is neither an application form nor a 'Notice of Intended Marriage'.

Special requirements

Minors

	If either party is under the age of 21 but above the age of 16 and not a widower or a widow, the consent in writing of the relevant person or persons specified in the Third Schedule to the Marriage Ordinance must be produced to the Registrar of Marriages.
	If there is no such person capable of consenting, the party may apply to a District Judge for such consent.

Divorced person/widower or widow

	In the case of a divorced person, proof of the dissolution of the former marriage by decree pronounced by a competent court is required; and before the marriage takes place, a sealed certified copy of the court's final decree must be produced to the Registrar.
	In the case of a widower or a widow, proof of former marriage and death certificate of former spouse are required.
	If the divorce documents or death certificates are not written in English or Chinese, certified translations of such are required.

Exhibition of notice of marriage & arrangement of the ceremony

The notice will be exhibited at the marriage registry where it is given and also at the Marriage Registration & Records Office for at least 15 clear days.

During this period any person who is authorised by law to object to the proposed marriage may do so by writing the word "Forbidden" on the copy of the notice produced by the Registrar for inspection, and by signing his name and the character in which he objects to the proposed marriage.

	If the Registrar of Marriages considers that the person is not in fact authorised by law to object, he may allow the marriage to proceed.
	If, however, he considers that the objection is valid, either of the parties may appeal against his decision by petition to the Court of First Instance to determine the matter. The decision of the Court of First Instance is final.

If no objection is received after the period of 15 clear days, the marriage may take place.

The exact date and time for the celebration of the proposed marriage should be fixed in advance in consultation with the Registrar in charge of the marriage registry where the marriage is to take place or with the officiating minister if the marriage is to take place in a licensed place of public worship or with the civil celebrant of marriages who will celebrate the marriage.

After a notice of marriage is given, the marriage must take place within three months, otherwise the notice becomes void and fresh notice must be given before the marriage can take place.

Each marrying couple can make only one appointment for giving of notice of intended marriage through either the Internet (website: www.gov.hk/marriagebooking) or the Interactive Voice Response System (telephone: 3102 3883).

Appointments are given on a first-come-first-served basis to ensure that every person has a fair chance to be served.

The ceremony at marriage registries

	The bride and bridegroom should attend 15 minutes before the time previously arranged with the Registrar, bringing two witnesses (at 18 years of age or over ).
	Relatives and friends may be invited to be present at the marriage ceremony.
	At the ceremony, rings may be exchanged between the parties if they wish.
	The bride and bridegroom and witnesses will sign the marriage certificate in duplicate and the Registrar will give one certificate to them and file the other in the registry.

Post-registration of marriage

	Both parties to a customary or validated marriage celebrated in Hong Kong before 7 October 1971 may apply for post-registration of the marriage. Where the other party of the marriage disputes in the application or his/her whereabouts is unknown, the applicant may apply for post-registration of marriage alone by producing a Court Order declaring that a customary or validated marriage subsists.
	Applicants are required to produce evidence indicative of their customary or validated marriage celebrated in Hong Kong before 7 October 1971. Two witnesses of the marriage are required to give statutory declarations to confirm their presence during the wedding ceremony.

Fees

Fees are payable under the Marriage Ordinance and Marriage Reform Ordinance.

Overseas Notice

Who may give overseas notice

If both parties to a proposed marriage are living abroad and intend to have their marriage contracted in Hong Kong.

How to give overseas notice

	They should write direct to the Hong Kong Marriage Registration & Records Office for a copy of notice of marriage form for completion.
	The completed form should be returned to the office by registered airmail as soon as possible.
	The parties' signatures on the form should be authenticated by a Notary Public of the country where they reside.
	Payment of the prescribed fee should be made by bank draft payable to 'The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region' which should be posted together with the completed notice of marriage.
	Request for appointment for marriage ceremony can be made by letter posted together with the completed notice of marriage.
	The notice of marriage takes effect from the date following the date of its receipt by Marriage Registration and Records Office.
	Reply letter would be sent to the parties to confirm the appointment for marriage ceremony.