Form BDR 87 — Application for a Certified Copy of an Entry in the Births Register (Hong Kong)

What is Form BDR 87 (certified copy of a birth entry)?

A certified copy of an entry in the births register is what most people call a Hong Kong birth certificate. When the original is lost or damaged, or another authority wants a fresh certified copy, you apply to the Births and Deaths General Register Office of the Immigration Department (ImmD) on form BDR 87. The same form is used to ask for a search of the birth records when the birth registration number isn't known.

The form asks for the particulars of the birth entry holder (the person whose birth is registered), any earlier certified copy or search result you have, and the applicant's own details. If you are not the registered person, a parent or legal guardian of a registered person under 18, or someone with their written consent, you also fill in a Supplementary Information page explaining your relationship and why you need the record.

FileIt asks the questions in plain English, prints every answer box by box in capitals into ImmD's own PDF, splits Hong Kong identity card numbers into the form's groups, and wraps your explanation over the supplementary page's lines. The finished PDF is saved in the person's vault folder. FileIt does not send anything to ImmD.

Who needs to fill out Form BDR 87 (certified copy of a birth entry)?

• Anyone born in Hong Kong who needs a new certified copy of their birth certificate, for example because the original was lost or damaged, or an authority asks for a recent copy.
• Parents or legal guardians getting a certified copy of the birth entry of a child under 18.
• People who don't know the birth registration number and need the births register searched first.
• Relatives or others with a legitimate need for someone else's birth record (for example for probate), who also complete the Supplementary Information page.

When to use Form BDR 87 (certified copy of a birth entry)

• When you need a certified copy of a Hong Kong birth entry for a passport, identity card, visa, school, marriage or estate application.
• When you have no copy of the birth certificate and need a search of the birth records to find the entry.
• The form can be posted or handed in; ImmD's guidance notes also mention an online application route with online payment of the search fee.

What you need before you start

• The birth entry holder's surname and given names in English, sex and date of birth (the exact name and date of birth allow a 'particular search').
• The holder's Hong Kong identity card number, if any.
• The original or a photocopy of an earlier certified copy (with its audit number), or the result slip of a previous search, if you have one; otherwise a record search is needed first.
• The birth registration number and date of registration, if known, and the number of copies you want.
• Your own name, Hong Kong identity card or travel document number, contact telephone, e-mail, address and relationship to the holder.
• If you are not the registered person, a parent or guardian, or someone with written consent: your relationship, the purpose and intended use of the record, and supporting documents.

What’s on Form BDR 87 (certified copy of a birth entry)

The 2024 edition has 6 pages. FileIt asks for it in 3 parts, and it is signed by Applicant:

1. Part 1: The person whose birth is registeredApplicant
2. Part 2: ApplicantApplicant
3. Supplementary Information (only if you are not the registered person or a parent or guardian)Applicant

How to fill out Form BDR 87 (certified copy of a birth entry), step by step

1 Part 1 — Particulars of the Birth Entry Holder

Name in Chinese, then surname and given names in English one letter per box, sex, date of birth as day, month and year, and the holder's Hong Kong identity card number in its three groups (letters, six digits, check digit in brackets).

FileIt can't print Chinese characters, so write the Chinese name by hand on the printed form.

2 Part 1 — Supporting document, registration number and copies

Tick whether you have an original or copy of an earlier certified copy (and give its audit number) or a search of birth record result slip (and give its application reference number). Then give the birth registration number and the date of registration if you know them, and how many copies you are applying for.

ImmD's notes say that if none of these documents can be produced, or the registration number on them can't be read, a record search is needed first.

3 Part 2 — Particulars of Applicant

Your name, Hong Kong identity card number, travel document number (if applicable), contact telephone number and extension, your relationship with the holder of the certified copy, e-mail address (if any) and address. Write the address within the border, then sign and date the form.

4 Supplementary Information (SF/BDM/1)

Only if you are not the registered subject, not a parent or legal guardian of a registered subject under 18, and have no written consent from them. State the relationship between you and the registered subject, and the purpose(s) and intended use of the search result or certified copy, with supporting documents. Sign it and add your name and the date.

The Registrar takes this into account and may ask for more information. FileIt fills the English version of the page and leaves the Chinese twin blank.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Spelling the holder's name differently from the birth register, or leaving out the date of birth, which makes the search harder.
• Forgetting to tick which supporting document you have, or leaving out the audit number or reference number printed on it.
• Leaving out the Supplementary Information page when you are not the registered person, a parent or guardian, or someone with written consent.
• Not bringing a Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document as identification.
• Sending cash by post. Postal applications are paid by crossed cheque, bank draft or cashier's order in Hong Kong dollars, or online; post-dated cheques are not accepted.

After you fill it out

Print the PDF from FileIt, check it, write any Chinese name by hand, and sign and date the form (and the supplementary page, if used).

Post it to, or hand it in at, the Births and Deaths General Register Office, 3/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong. ImmD's form page also lists the Kowloon, Sha Tin District, Tseung Kwan O and Tuen Mun District births registries for applications in person. Faxes are not accepted.

ImmD's notes say the search fee is payable when you apply and the certified copy fee when you collect the certificate; an extra fee applies when the copy is posted outside Hong Kong or sent by airmail. Keep the filled form in your FileIt vault and file the new certified copy there when it arrives.

Form BDR 87 (certified copy of a birth entry): frequently asked questions

Official sources

• Blank form (PDF), published by Immigration Department, Births and Deaths General Register Office, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (ImmD): https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/bdr87.pdf
• Official instructions and guidance: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/forms/forms/bdr87.html
• Edition shown on this page: BDR 87 (09/2024) (checked 2026-09-28).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Immigration Department, Births and Deaths General Register Office, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (ImmD) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-09-28.

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