All Hong Kong residents aged 11 or over are required to register for an identity card. Here you can learn about how to apply for an identity card, what to do when you need to replace your identity card and under what circumstances you need to apply for a permanent identity card if you are living overseas.

Under the Registration of Persons Ordinance, all Hong Kong residents aged 11 or over (including those who have been permitted to stay in Hong Kong for more than 180 days) are required to register for an identity card, except those who are exempted or excluded. If you fall into one of the following categories, you DO NOT need to apply for an identity card.

• Genuine travellers in transit through Hong Kong who have been permitted to stay for not more than 180 days.
• The aged, the blind and the infirm who have been exempted from registering for an identity card by the Commissioner of Registration. Information on applying for exemption is available through the following link.

• Application for Certificate of Exemption
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/appforcert.htm

• Children aged under 11 of consuls, consular staff and the Head and members of the Office of the Commission of the European Communities in Hong Kong.
• Children aged under 11 (except for Hong Kong permanent residents who need to apply for permanent identity cards in connection with their applications for HKSAR passports).

Before you proceed to register for the issue of a permanent identity card, you will need to show that you are eligible for registration under the Registration of Persons Ordinance.  Information on verification of eligibility for permanent identity card is available through the following link.

• Verification of Eligibility for Permanent Identity card
  http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hksarvepid.htm

If you are aged under 18, information on registering for an identity card is available through the following link.

• Applications by people aged under 18
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/appu18.htm

If you are aged 18 or over, details on registering for an identity card are available through the following link.

• Applications by people aged 18 or over
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/appo18.htm

Lost, destroyed, damaged or defaced identity card

If your identity card has been lost, destroyed, damaged or defaced, you should apply for a replacement card at any Registration of Persons Office within 14 days.  Further information is available through the following links.

• Applications by people aged under 18
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/appu18.htm
• Applications by people aged 18 or over
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/appo18.htm
• Registration of Persons Offices
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/whereapply.htm
• Fees payable
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/fees.htm

Amendment of Registered Particulars

If you need to amend the personal particulars on your identity card, you should complete the application form available through the link below and post it to:

Registration of Persons General and Statistics Unit
12/F, Immigration Tower
7 Gloucester Road
Wan Chai, Hong Kong 

Besides, you may sumbit the application form by e-mail at eto_rop@immd.gov.hk ( mailto:eto_rop@immd.gov.hk ).

When sending your application, you should enclose copies of your supporting documents. If your application is approved, arrangements will be made for you to replace your identity card at a Registration of Persons Office.

• Form ROP 73: Application for Amendment of Registered Particulars of Hong Kong Identity Card
  http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/rop73.htm
• Fees payable
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/fees.htm

You are not required to apply for an identity card if you are living abroad. However, if you want to apply for a HKSAR passport while out of Hong Kong but do not have a permanent identity card, you will need to apply for one at the same time as you apply for your passport.

The following link will take you to more information about applying for a permanent identity card from abroad.

• Overseas application for a permanent identity card
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/oappic.htm