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| The following can only be a brief introduction of the legal subject concerned. Before you take any action which may have legal consequence, you should first seek advice from your own lawyer or make an appointment at any District Office to see a volunteer lawyer of the Free Legal Advice Scheme. (803) CHANGING YOUR NAME Generally speaking, a person can use any name he likes; but he must not use a name to trick or deceive others, like a criminal alias. In Hong Kong the Identity Card is the most common form of proof of your identity; so the best way to change your name is to have your identity card amended. This is a relatively simple procedure. The Registration of Persons offices of the Immigration Department deal with the change of name on an identity card. You should go to the office closest to your home and obtain a form known as ROP73. This form may be completed in English or Chinese. There are two ways to prove you have changed your name. A deedpoll should be drafted by a legally qualified person. A solicitor will charge a fee from about $500 - $1000 to draft a deedpoll for the change of your name. If you feel you cannot afford this you should make an appointment to see a lawyer with the Free Legal Advice Scheme in one of Hong Kong's District Offices. The second way of proving the change of your name is to give the Department evidence that you have used your new name for the past 5 years. This can be done by submitting school records or employment reports and other such documents. You must complete form ROP73 and submit it to the Department by post, in person, by fax or through the internet or Immigration Mobile Application. The Department will then notify you to attend for an interview at an appointed time and place. This usually takes about 3 - 4 weeks after submitting the form. In the mean time you should arrange for the deedpoll to be drafted or collect the other necessary documents. When preparing documents for the Registration of Persons office it is wise to note that the office will not accept any laminated document. If you have changed your name by deedpoll then you need only to bring this document with you to the interview. Otherwise you must bring all those documents which prove you have been using another name for the past 5 years. The interviewing officer will check all the documents. If they are all in order a new identity card with your new name will be issued to you after 10 working days. You will have to pay a fee for such service. If the documents are insufficient the interview will be adjourned and you will be given additional time to take the necessary steps. Date of amendment: 17th November 2023
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