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All Hong Kong residents aged 11 or over are required to register for an identity card, except those who are exempted or excluded. This webpage sets out information on Hong Kong identity cards, including how to apply for a new or replacement card; how to apply for a certificate showing the particulars registered in the applicant’s identity card; how to apply for exemption from registering for an identity card; how to apply for identity card and where to go for further information.
The Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise has ended and all Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres have ceased to operate. Besides, the On-site Identity Card Replacement Service has also concluded.
Old form of smart identity cards issued before 26 November 2018 becomes invalid in two phases in 2025. Phase I of the invalidation exercise covers holders of old form of smart identity cards born in 1970 or after whose old cards have become invalid on 12 May 2025. Phase II of the invalidation exercise covers holders of old form of smart identity cards born in 1969 or before whose old cards have also become invalid on 12 October 2025.
The invalidation of old ID cards will not affect the right of abode in Hong Kong of the holders of old ID cards unless he or she has lost permanent resident status under the Immigration Ordinance.
Invalid identity cards will not be accepted for any immigration purposes, for example, for applications and immigration clearance.
For entry into and exit from Hong Kong, an invalid identity card holder will need to produce a valid travel document for immigration clearance and an invalid identity card will be not accepted. If an invalid identity card is presented for arrival clearance, the invalid identity card has to be surrendered and the holder of the invalid identity card will be ordered to apply for a new identity card within a specified period as the case may be.
If an invalid identity card holder submits an application to the Immigration Department, the invalid identity card has to be surrendered and the holder of the invalid identity card will be ordered to apply for a new identity card within a specified period as the case may be. Subject to the relevant application requirements, the invalid identity card holder may make the application with a valid proof of identity, such as a valid travel document. However, if it is provided under the law the applicant is required to hold a valid identity card, for example, applicant for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport must hold a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card upon application for and collection of a new passport, the invalid identity card holder must apply for a new identity card first.
The template of old form of smart identity card is as follows:
Persons still holding the old form of smart identity card should make appointment at any Registration of Persons (ROP) Office for replacement of an identity card. Those who are unable to have their identity cards replaced due to being absent from Hong Kong, they should replace their identity cards within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong. Currently, the available booking period of the Appointment Booking System for identity card application is 96 working days. Residents are advised to make online appointment in advance when planning their trips back to Hong Kong.
You may refer to the following link for the service hours and scope of services at ROP Offices.
Registration of Persons Offices
Those who have made an application at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (SIDCC) on or before 3 March 2023 and yet to collect their new smart identity cards are required to collect their identity cards at a ROP Office. For detail arrangement, please refer to:Collection Arrangement of New Smart Identity Cards after the closure of SIDCCs
Call-up Programme
Hong Kong identity cards have been issued in the form of smart card since 2003. Information on the features and benefits of the smart identity card, obligations for the holder of a smart identity card or new smart identity card and a list of frequently asked questions about the smart identity card are available through the following link.
Information on the smart identity card
Starting from 26 November 2018, a new form of smart identity card will be issued to replace the old form of smart identity card. The new smart identity card has improved in its durability, security features as well as the chip technology and protection of personal data.
All Hong Kong residents aged 11 years or over are required to register for an identity card. Information on registering for or replacing an identity card and the circumstances under which a person living abroad will need to apply for a permanent identity card are available through the following link.
Hong Kong identity card is an important proof of identity and holders should keep their cards in proper condition. Those who find their identity cards have been lost, they should immediately report such information to and apply for a replacement at any Registration of Persons (ROP) Office[1]. Applicants should attend any ROP Office in person for relevant procedures, no prior appointment is required. Please click here for details of the service hours and scope of services at ROP Offices.
For persons aged 18 or above and the lost identity card is a valid smart identity card, they can also use the Personal Documentation Submission Kiosk (PDSK) located at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O to apply for replacement in a self-service manner, which is appointment-free.
Location and service hours of PDSK
In general, presentation of proof of loss issued by the police is not required. A fee of HK$370 will be charged for the replacement of an identity card.
The lost identity card will cease to be valid as soon as the holder has made the report to and apply for a replacement at the ROP Office. If the lost identity card is recovered subsequently, it should be returned to any ROP Office or police station immediately.
[1] Pursuant to the ROP Regulations, if an identity card has been lost, the person concerned should report such information to and apply for a replacement at any ROP Office within 14 days, or within 14 days of his/her return if he/she is outside Hong Kong.
Points to Note for Applicants Aged under 18
Applicant under 18 years of age must be accompanied by his/her parent or legal guardian when applying for a replacement. The accompanying parent or legal guardian must have rights in respect of the applicant and such rights have not been limited in any way by the order of any court. He/She must produce his/her proof of identity. If the applicant is accompanied by a legal guardian, that person must also produce documentary proof of the legal guardianship.
Applicant under 11 years of age should produce proof of identity (e.g. a valid travel document or passport) or latest school document (bearing name, date of birth and photograph authenticated by the school, e.g. student handbook or school record card) and one recent photograph (50 x 40 mm full face photograph) if he/she is not taller than 90 cm.
When attending the application interview, applicant should produce the originals of supporting documents for verification and confirmation of identity by the registration officer.
Pursuant to the Registration of Persons Regulations, if an identity card has been destroyed, damaged or defaced, the person concerned should report such information to and apply for a replacement at any Registration of Persons (ROP) Office within 14 days, or within 14 days of his/her return if he/she is outside Hong Kong. Applicants should attend any ROP Office in person for relevant procedures, no prior appointment is required. Please click here for details of the service hours and scope of services at ROP Offices. A fee of HK$370 will be charged for the replacement of an identity card.
Points to Note for Applicants Aged under 18
Applicant under 18 years of age must be accompanied by his/her parent or legal guardian when applying for a replacement. The accompanying parent or legal guardian must have rights in respect of the applicant and such rights have not been limited in any way by the order of any court. He/She must produce his/her proof of identity. If the applicant is accompanied by a legal guardian, that person must also produce documentary proof of the legal guardianship.
Applicant under 11 years of age should produce proof of identity (e.g. a valid travel document or passport) or latest school document (bearing name, date of birth and photograph authenticated by the school, e.g. student handbook or school record card) and one recent photograph (50 x 40 mm full face photograph) if he/she is not taller than 90 cm.
When attending the application interview, applicant should produce the originals of supporting documents for verification and confirmation of identity by the registration officer. The damaged or defaced identity card should be surrendered to the registration officer.
Information on how to apply for amendment of registered particulars of Hong Kong Identity Card is available through the following link.
Application for Amendment of Registered Particulars of Hong Kong Identity Card
Information on how to apply for a certificate showing the personal particulars registered in the applicant’s identity card record is available through the following link.
Information on how to apply for exemption from registering for an identity card due to old age, blindness or illness is available through the following link.
The appointment booking period for application for a Hong Kong identity card at the Registration of Persons Offices is 96 working days. Applicants shall make prior appointment and prefill application form online or through the Immigration Department Mobile Application before they come to the offices for an identity card application.
For applicants with an urgent need to replace their identity cards which have been lost, destroyed, damaged or defaced may submit applications for replacement of identity cards at any Registration of Persons Office without appointment.
An overview of the services, including who can use it, how to use it, how to perform online form pre-filling, the supporting documents required and information about the mobile application are available through the following links.
Information on the Immigration Department Mobile Application
No fees are payable for identity card registrations for new arrivals and people reaching the age of 11 or 18, and for Certificates of Exemption. However, fees are charged for the replacement of identity cards and for Certificates of Registered Particulars. Further information is available through the following link.
Applications for identity cards should be made at a Registration of Persons Office. Information on the locations of these offices, their opening hours and telephone numbers is available through the following link.
Frequently asked questions about Hong Kong identity cards, Certificate of Registered Particulars, and Certificate of Exemption are available through the following link.
Forms related to Hong Kong identity cards are downloadable through the following link.
27-07-2026
