Q1:

I intend to get married in (a place other than Hong Kong) and I am asked to produce a certificate of absence of marriage record ("CAMR"). How and where can I apply for one?

A1:

To apply for a CAMR, you have to complete an application form (Form MR 35) and pay the prescribed fee for a search of marriage record. You should bring along your Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document and submit your application in person to any of the marriage registries. You may also choose to submit your application by post. The duly completed application form, a photocopy of your Hong Kong identity card and your travel document bearing your personal data and signature should be sent to the Marriage Registration and Records Office, 3/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong together with the prescribed fee for a search of marriage record. The signature on your application form must be the same as that on your travel document. If your travel document was issued in places outside Hong Kong, the photocopy of the travel document must be properly certified by a notary public. You may download an application form for Certificate of Absence of Marriage Record (MR 35) via http://www.immd.gov.hk

Q2:

Can I authorize someone to apply for the CAMR on my behalf?

A2:

If you are outside Hong Kong or you are in Hong Kong but with evidence of not being able to submit the application in person, you can submit the duly completed application form through an authorised representative to a marriage registry with the requisite evidence, your authorisation letter, photocopies of your Hong Kong identity card and travel document bearing your personal data and signature. Your signature on the application form/authorisation letter must be the same as that on your travel document. If your travel document was issued in places outside Hong Kong, the photocopy of the travel document must be properly certified by a notary public.

Q3:

If I am a divorced person or a widow/widower, will a CAMR be issued to me?

A3:

If you have registered marriage(s) in Hong Kong, you will not be issued a CAMR. You will only be issued a letter of marriage record on which the date(s) of your previous marriage(s) will be indicated.

Q4:

What is the processing time for the CAMR application?

A4:

It normally takes 9 working days to process the application for a CAMR after all necessary documents and fees have been received (working days denote Monday to Friday excluding General Holidays). For postal applications, the time of mail services is excluded from the processing time.

Q5:

How much do I need to pay for the application of CAMR and what are the payment methods?

A5:

On the date of application, you need to pay HK$140 for a search of marriage record. If the search result shows that you have no marriage record in Hong Kong, you will be issued a CAMR. The prescribed fee for the CAMR is HK$680. The fee will be collected upon collection of the CAMR. Payment can be made by cash, EPS, a crossed cheque or a cashier order in Hong Kong currency payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". Post dated cheques will not be accepted. If you have marriage record(s) in Hong Kong, you will be issued a letter of marriage record which is free of charge. For postal applications, you can send in a crossed cheque, bank draft or cashier order in Hong Kong currency drawn from a bank in Hong Kong payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" together with the application for payment of a search of marriage record. If the search result shows that you have no marriage record in Hong Kong, you will be notified by post for sending in the payment for the CAMR. An addition of HK$70 is payable if the certificate is required to be posted to an address outside Hong Kong and an airmail postage at the normal rate will be charged if the certificate is to be sent by airmail. Please do not send in cash.