Hong Kong residents aged 18 or over must register for an adult identity card. Here you can learn about registering for an identity card, including when, where and how to apply, how to collect your card and where to go for further information.

If you hold a juvenile identity card issued between the ages of 11 and 17, you must apply for an adult identity card within 30 days following your 18^th birthday.

If you are a new arrival aged 18 or over and have been permitted to stay in Hong Kong for more than 180 days, you must register for an identity card within 30 days of arrival.

If you hold a permanent identity card issued overseas (in connection with a HKSAR passport issued abroad), you must apply for a new card within 30 days after returning to Hong Kong.

• Form ROP1: Application by a person of the age of 18 years or over
  http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/rop1.htm

The Registration of Persons Offices have adopted a quota system to cope with the demand for identity card registrations. To save time and for your convenience, you are strongly advised to make an appointment via the online appointment booking system before attending a Registration of Persons Office to apply for an identity card.

The following link will take you to more information.

• Online appointment booking
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/bookregidcard.htm

Alternatively, you can make an appointment booking through the telephone booking hotline 2598 0888; OR subject to the quota exhaustion, attend a Registration of Persons Office in person for the application.

You can apply to register for an identity card at any Registration of Persons Office, with the following exceptions:

• If you are a new arrival from the Mainland holding a One-way Permit, you must register at the Registration of Persons – Kowloon Office
• If you are a worker arriving in Hong Kong under the Supplementary Labour Scheme, you must register at the Registration of Persons – Kwun Tong Office

• Registration of Persons Offices
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/whereapply.htm

If you are a resident, you should produce originals of your:

• Juvenile identity card or an identity card issued previously; or
• Birth certificate and proof of identity such as a valid travel document, passport or recent school document with certified photograph (e.g. student handbook or school record card) if you have never registered for a juvenile identity card before

If you are a new arrival, you should produce originals of your:

• Valid travel document, passport, entry permit, One-way Permit or affidavit showing your residential status in Hong Kong

If you apply to replace a lost, destroyed, damaged or defaced card, you should produce your damaged or defaced identity card wherever applicable.

• Form ROP 138: Documentary Requirements of Registration for Hong Kong Identity Cards
  http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/rop138.htm

No fee is payable when you register for an identity card. However, you will need to pay for the replacement of an identity card due to loss, destruction, damage, defacement or alteration of personal particulars. Details are available through the following link.

• Fees payable
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/fees.htm

When you arrive at a Registration of Persons Office, you should approach the reception counter to obtain a number tag and an application form. If you have made an appointment, you should produce an acknowledgement of the booking or inform the reception officer of your identity document number and the timeslot you have booked. You should complete the application form carefully while waiting for an interview with a registration officer.

When your tag number is displayed on the plasma panel in the waiting area, you should proceed to the designated registration booth and hand in your application form, supporting documents and identity card (if any) to the registration officer. The registration officer will examine your eligibility for an identity card, scan your left and right thumbprints, and take your photo. You will then be asked to return to the waiting area to wait for an interview with an assessment officer.

When your tag number appears on the plasma panel again, you should proceed to the designated booth and hand in your application form, supporting documents and identity card (if any) to the assessment officer. The assessment officer will countercheck the data on the application form, confirm your eligibility for an identity card and scan your left and right thumbprints again. Your old identity card (if any) will be collected and you will be issued with an Acknowledgement of Application for Identity Card.

If you apply to replace your identity card, you will be issued with an Acknowledgement of Application for Identity Card upon payment of a prescribed fee.

The processing time for an identity card is usually 10 working days (excluding Saturdays and general holidays). You should collect your identity card in person or authorise a representative to collect it for you within the period specified on your Acknowledgement of Application for Identity Card.

Collection in Person

Upon collection, you must return your Acknowledgement of Application for Identity Card. You will be asked to place your left and right thumbs on a scanner to confirm that the ‘chip’ on the card functions properly and the personal data stored therein are correct.

Collection by Authorised Representative

If you want to authorise another person to collect your identity card, you should notify the registration officer at the time of application and complete an authorisation form (ID678), or give your authorisation in writing. Authorised representatives must have attained 18 and should produce the following documents upon collection.

• His or her identity card
• Your Acknowledgement of Application for Identity Card
• Your authorisation form (ID 678) or written authorisation and proof of your signature

• Form ID678: Authorisation for Collection of Identity Card/Travel Document
  http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id678.htm

When you receive your new identity card from your representative, you should check the personal data stored in its ‘chip’ using a smart identity card reader installed at an immigration self-service kiosk. You must complete this confirmation process on your own following the on-screen instructions.

Locations of immigration self-service kiosks

• Immigration Headquarters
  http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkid_hq.htm
• Registration of Persons Offices
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/whereapply.htm
• Immigration control points
  http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/controlpoints_add.htm

Further information on applying for an identity card is available through the following link.

• Frequently Asked Questions
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/faqs.htm