Marriage in Hong Kong

Marriage to a Philippine citizen

This information is current as of August 2025. I expressly point out that no guarantee is given for its accuracy and completeness.

The official website for getting married in Hong Kong is: Registration of Marriage

We got married in Hong Kong in 2017… Why Hong Kong? There were mainly three reasons. The primary reason was, and unfortunately still is, that the Philippines is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. This means it's an additional, complicated process to have the marriage recognized in your home country. The second reason was that it's relatively straightforward to get married in Hong Kong; and the third reason was that in 2017, the German embassy was extremely difficult to deal with regarding visa matters… to put it mildly…

 

Below I have listed the 4 steps to marry a Filipina or Filipino:

  1. Notification of Intended Marriage
  2. Marriage in Hong Kong
  3. Registration at the Philippine Embassy
  4. Apostille, document recognition in another country

Source Picture: Own work, H. Rufer

Regarding point 1.) Notification of the intended marriage "Notice of Intended Marriage"

  1. Notification of intent to marry via email to the Registration and Records Office in Hong Kong: email. The office will then send an email with instructions and the necessary forms (be sure to download the forms from the email, as they may change).

The following documents are required for foreign nationals:

  • Copy of passport
  • International birth certificate in English
  • The "Notice of Intended Marriage" form must be notarized (!). (Form, MR1(S)) - The Ministry does not provide a direct download link; it will be sent via email.
  • The "Information Required for Registration of Marriage in Hong Kong" form must be completed. (Form, MR 21B)
  • HK$305 as a bank check or in cash. The fee is subject to change but will be stated in the email by the authorities.

The following documents are required for Filipino nationals:

  • Copy of passport
  • PSA birth certificate
  • PSA CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage)

b.) Registration for marriage

In Hong Kong, the registration of marriage ("Notice of Intended Marriage") can be done either in person or through an agent. 

Personal Registration:

  • Personal registration is the most common method.
  • Requirements: At least one partner must be present in Hong Kong to sign the registration. However, it is recommended that both partners be present to clarify any questions directly.
  • Procedure: You book an appointment with one of the Marriage Registries, complete the form, and submit it along with the required documents.
  • Advantages: Direct communication with the registrar, immediate review of the documents, and avoidance of errors.

Registration by an Agent

  • If you cannot be present in person, a government-approved marriage agency can handle the registration for you.
  • Requirements: You must provide the agency with a power of attorney and send all required documents (usually certified copies of your passports).
  • Procedure: The agency will take care of submitting the Notice of Intended Marriage on your behalf. However, you will still need to travel to Hong Kong for the wedding ceremony itself.
  • Advantages: Time savings, as you don't need to travel to Hong Kong specifically for registration. This is particularly useful if you want to bridge the 15-day waiting period.

In both cases, the 15-day waiting period begins after successful registration, and the wedding must take place within three months

Regarding point 2) Marriage in Hong Kong:

You must register in person at the Marriage Registration and Records Office in Hong Kong two working days before the wedding. The marriage ceremony takes place at the selected Marriage Registry. A fee of HK$715 must be paid in cash (this fee is subject to change). Two witnesses are also required (at the ceremony). Copies of the marriage certificate can be ordered for HK$280 each (this fee is subject to change). It is essential to arrive on time for the wedding, otherwise the appointment will be cancelled. All participants must be able to present valid identification (passport).

Source Picture: Own work, H. Rufer

Regarding point 3: Registration at the Philippine Embassy

For marriages with Filipinos that took place in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a registration ("Report of Marriage"). is required. The following documents must be submitted (no later than 12 months after the wedding):

  • Marriage certificate issued by the Hong Kong SAR Marriage Registry
  • PSA-authenticated birth certificate
  • PSA-authenticated CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) – required only for Filipino nationals
  • International birth certificate in English
  • Valid passports of both spouses
  • Completed Report of Marriage form (available on the Consulate General's website)
  • Additional requirements depending on personal status (if applicable): Naturalization, previous marriage (annulded or divorced), widowed: relevant court orders, PSA marriage certificates with annotations, or NSO death certificate or annex documents

The processing time is usually 2 business days, optionally 1 business day with an additional express fee (HK$200, express +HK$80).

Original documents and at least three (3) photocopies must be presented at the appointment.

The Philippine Embassy is located on the 14th floor of the United Centre, directly above the Admiralty MTR station. Please note that the embassy is open Sunday through Thursday and closed Friday through Saturday

Source Picture: Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6371562

Regarding point 4) Apostille Procedure

For recognition in your home country, it is essential that your marriage certificate undergoes the apostille procedure. The fee for an apostille on a public document such as a marriage certificate is HK $125 per apostille. This includes the official procedure at the High Court.

Procedure:

  • Make an appointment using the Justice Department's e-appointment system, as walk-ins may not be granted access.
  • Submit your document to the Apostille Service Office. The Apostille Service Office in Hong Kong is located in the High Court Building, Room LG115, 38 Queensway, Hong Kong.
  • Pay the fees (cash or check) at the payment office (High Court Accounts Office, LG211) and present a receipt at the Apostille Service Office to receive your collection slip.
  • Processing usually takes 2-3 business days (I was able to collect mine after just 2 days).

Note: The marriage certificate remains at the High Court for processing to issue the apostille. Be sure to complete the registration process at the Philippine Consulate afterward.

Source Picture: Own work, H. Rufer

Top

Druckversion | Sitemap
Urheberrechtshinweis 2022-2025 (©), Helmut Rufer, alle Bilder dieser Seite unterliegen urheberrechtlichem Schutz - Copyright notice 2022-2025 (©), Helmut Rufer, all images on this site are protected by copyright.

WebansichtMobile-Ansicht

Logout | Seite bearbeiten