How to Change Name
 in Hong Kong

This is a step-by-step guide to help you perform a name change (or the name of your child) by way of a deed poll in Hong Kong.

The most common document accepted by the Registration of Persons Office for legally changing names in Hong Kong is a deed poll. A deed poll is a legal document binding a person to express an active intention, in this case, this intention is to use a new name. If you wish to know more on how to obtain a deed poll, please click here.

Other documents (e.g. marriage certificate, foreign passport) may be accepted by the Registration of Persons Office to support a name change application but whether such document will be accepted will vary case by case.

***It should be noted that only holders of Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card are allowed to change their name in Hong Kong without being first required to change their name in their home country.

In order to change the registered name on your Hong Kong Identity Card, you have to fill-in and submit Form ROP73 (Application for Amendment of Registered Particulars of Hong Kong Identity Card).

You can download a PDF copy of Form ROP73 ("Application Form") directly from the Hong Kong Immigration Department (Download PDF).

There are four methods for submitting your Application Form. You may submit your Application Form and copies of your supporting documents (e.g. deed poll):

Online: You can apply directly on the website of the Immigration Department.

By Fax: You can fax the completed Application Form together with copies of your supporting document(s) using +852 2131 8876

By Post: You may send by post your Application Form and copies of your supporting document(s) to the Registration of Persons General and Statistics Unit using the following address:

Registration of Persons (Support) Section,

1st Floor, Administration Tower, Immigration Headquarters,

61 Po Yap Road,

Tseung Kwan O,

New Territories, Hong Kong SAR

In Person: You may submit the Application Form and supporting documents in person at any Registration of Persons (ROP) Office. You may find all the addresses for the ROP Offices here.

The term “interview” can be somewhat misleading. In most cases, it does not involve a traditional question-and-answer session. Instead, the process primarily consists of the Immigration Officer carefully reviewing your supporting documents—such as a deed poll—alongside your Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and the information provided on your Application Form. If everything is in order and no issues arise, the officer will proceed to take a new set of your fingerprints and capture a new photograph. These are required for the preparation and issuance of your updated Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.

This procedure ensures that your new identity card reflects the most current and accurate personal information, while also maintaining the security standards of the Registration of Persons system.

The fee to update the particulars on your Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card is HKD460.

Once you have received your new identity card with your new name, you can apply to update the name on your Hong Kong Passport by filling-in and submitting Form ID 854 (Application for Amending a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport) to the Immigration Department. Please note that Hong Kong SAR Passport holders are required to apply to amend their particulars on their Hong Kong SAR passport so that they match.

You can download a PDF copy of Form ID 854 directly from the Hong Kong Immigration Department (Download PDF).

To update the name on your Home Return Permit, submit the required application and supporting documents, such as a deed poll. The authorities will review your documents and may ask you to attend an in-person appointment. Once approved, a new Home Return Permit with your updated name will be issued.

Foreign Passport Holders
The Hong Kong SAR Government does not require your name in Hong Kong to match the name in your home country. However, certain countries, such as the United Kingdom, have a single-name policy and may require that the name on your Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card matches the name on the passport of your home country.

Foreign nationals should note that some countries require a deed poll confirming a name change to be notarized and apostilled. The deed poll must first be notarized before it can be accepted for apostille. In Hong Kong, the High Court provides an Apostille service for a fee of HK$125 per document, and the process typically takes two working days.

Details of the application for the Apostille can be found on its website.

If you have additional questions which are not addressed here or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact us by telephone on +852 2176 4777, by WhatsApp (+852 9547 5353) or by email at enquiries@comtois.hk. You can also schedule an appointment by clicking the button below.