Last updated on April 2022
Efficiency is definitely one of the perks of living in a city like Hong Kong. Most government processes are made as straightforward and hassle-free as possible, including that of getting legally married in Hong Kong. Although simple, not a lot of people know about the civil registration process, so we decided to come up with a brief step-by-step guide that you can use as reference.
STEP 1: Book an appointment to submit a Notice of Intended Marriage
You would need to give a Notice of Intended Marriage no earlier than 3 months but at least 15 days (excluding Sundays) before your date of intended marriage. An appointment to submit this notice can be booked either online or by calling +852 3102 3883.
STEP 2: Prepare required documents
Either HKID card or travel document of both you and your soon-to-be spouse must be presented for verification during the appointment. You will also be required to fill out Form MR21B, so you can prepare this in advance or, better yet, submit it ahead of time online.
[From: A Modern Wedding with Only The Bride and Groom Present / Photos: Fermat Photography]
STEP 3: Submit Notice of Intended Marriage
Only one of you (see note in Step 4) would need to show up for the appointment with all the required documents. A fee of HK$305 would have to be paid to file the notice. If you are getting married at a marriage registry, you’ll also be allowed to book a time slot for your preferred date and marriage hall of choice during your appointment. An additional fee of $715 would have to be paid for celebrations within office hours or $1935 for outside office hours.
STEP 4: Claim Certificate of Registrar of Marriages
At least 15 days after your submission of Notice of Intended Marriage (and assuming no one objects to the notice), you may claim the Certificate of Registrar of Marriages which will be valid for the next three months. If you are getting married at a licensed place of worship, be sure to pass this to them before your scheduled ceremony. (Note: If only one of you submitted the notice in Step 3, the other party would have to pick up the certificate, so their declaration can also be confirmed.)
[From: A City Hall Wedding Filled with Genuine Emotions / Photos: ]
STEP 5: Get Married!
If you are getting married at a marriage registry, arrive at least 15 minutes before your time slot with two adults as witnesses. Be sure to remind them to bring a valid ID. A Registrar will ask you to read out the marriage oath and ask you and your witnesses to sign the marriage certificate, after which your wedding is official! HOORAY!
THINGS TO NOTE:
- The minimum age for getting married is 16, but minors (ages 16 to 21) are required to obtain consent from parents or legal guardians.
- There are no nationality restrictions or residential requirements to get married in HK.
- A marriage has to take place either at a marriage registry by a Registrar, in a licensed place of worship by a competent minister, or at any other place in Hong Kong by a civil celebrant of marriages.
- In the event of a black rainstorm or typhoon signal 8 or higher, marriage registries will be closed. Head to the Registrar within 2 hours after the cancellation of these signals if still within office hours. Otherwise, attend the Registrar at the same appointment time the following day.
Listed below are the 5 marriage registries for you to choose from. If you prefer the City Hall or Cotton Tree Drive registries, you must submit your Notice of Intended Marriage at the Marriage Registration and Records Office.
1) City Hall Marriage Registry
(Solemnization of marriages only)
1/F, High Block, City Hall, Central [MTR Central Station – Exit K]
Mon-Fri: 8:45am to 12:45pm, 2pm to 4:45pm
Sat: 9am to 12:30pm, 2pm to 4:45pm (For marriage ceremonies only in the afternoon)
Sun: 9am to 12:45pm, 2pm to 4:45pm (For marriage ceremonies only)
Telephone: (852) 2523 0725
2) Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry
(Solemnization of marriages only)
G/F, Rawlinson House, 19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central [MTR Admiralty Station – Exit C1]
Mon-Fri: 8:45am to 12:45pm, 2pm to 4:45pm | Sat: 9am to 11:30am
Sun: 9am to 12:45pm, 2pm to 4:45pm (For marriage ceremonies only)
Telephone: (852) 2869 0500
3) Tsim Sha Tsui Marriage Registry
(Giving of notices and solemnization of marriages)
Upper Basement & Level 3, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon [MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station – Exit L6]
Mon-Fri: 8:45am to 12:45pm, 2pm to 4:45pm | Sat: 9am to 11:30am
Sun: 9am to 12:45pm, 2pm to 4:45pm (For marriage ceremonies only)
Telephone: (852) 2312 0929
4) Sha Tin Marriage Registry
(Giving of notices and solemnization of marriages)
G/F, Sha Tin Town Hall, 1 Yuen Wo Road, Sha Tin, New Territories [MTR Sha Tin Station – Exit A]
Mon-Fri: 8:45am to 12:45pm, 2pm to 4:45pm | Sat: 9am to 11:30am
Sun: 9am to 12:45pm, 2pm to 4:45pm (For marriage ceremonies only)
Telephone: (852) 2604 6974
5) Tuen Mun Marriage Registry
(Giving of notices and solemnization of marriages)
1/F, Tuen Mun Sui Lun Government Offices, 19 Sui Lun Street, Tuen Mun, New Territories
Mon-Fri: 8:45am to 12:45pm, 2pm to 4:45pm | Sat: 9am to 11:30am
Telephone: (852) 2618 3789
Marriage Registration and Records Office
(Giving of notices of intended marriage to be celebrated at the City Hall Marriage Registry and the Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry)
3/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway [MTR Admiralty Station – Exit C1]
Mon-Fri: 8:45am to 4:45pm | Sat: 9am to 11:30am
Telephone: (852) 2867 2787
General Enquiries
Hotline: (852) 2824 6111 | Fax: (852) 2877 7711 | Email: [email protected]
For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the Immigration Department’s website.
Photographer: Lauhaus.co
