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The Immigration Department has since November 3, 2008, extended its 24-hour free telephone/internet appointment booking services to include birth registration of newborn babies.
An Immigration spokesman said, "The new service has received good response from applicants. As at December 31, 2008, 97% of the appointment quota was used up.
"Popular time slots for appointments fall between 8.45am and 11am and between 2pm and 3pm on weekdays; and slots on Saturdays are always booked up. We only set aside limited time-slots at each registry to cater for walk-in applications, and therefore applicants are encouraged to use our appointment booking services as far as possible."
The spokesman reminded people that birth registration is free of charge within 42 days of the birth. Before booking an appointment for birth registration, parents should confirm with the hospital that the child's birth return has been delivered to the births registry. Moreover, a change or cancellation of booking appointment can only be accepted at least one working day before the chosen time slot, and therefore those who are unable to attend in time should change or cancel the booking as soon as possible.
Bookings for birth registration can be made via hotline 2598 0888 or www.gov.hk/birthregistration .
For further information, please visit the above website or telephone the Immigration Department hotline on 2824 6111.
Ends/Thursday, January 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:26
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