It’s important to exercise the right to vote because it’s one of the most powerful rights a citizen can have. As someone permanently residing in Hong Kong, you have the opportunity to exercise this right and partake in the decision-making process. 

However, before you can cast your ballot in any election, you should be a registered voter. How to become that, you ask?

That’s what we’re here to show you. In this article, we’ll guide you through the complete steps to registering to vote in Hong Kong!

How do I register to vote in Hong Kong? 

1. Go to the Registration and Electoral Office Website

The first step is to go to the Registration and Electoral Office Website through this link. 

2. Click the link to the desired form

Once you’re on the website, you’ll be presented with different forms to download. Click the form that you need to download. 

If you’re registering to vote for the first time, click on the Application for New Registration. However, if you’ve already registered but there’s something you’d like to change on your records, click on the Applications for change of registration particulars. 

3. Download the form 

You’ll be redirected to a page that either says “Application for New Registration” or “Application for Change of Registration Particulars”. Click the pdf icon to download. 

The first step in registering to vote in Hong Kong is to fill up the application form called “Application for New Registration/ Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector in a Geographical Constituency”. 

4. Get address proof

Another thing that should be included in the application is your address proof. To know what documents are accepted as address proof, just keep scrolling. Note that this should be issued within 3 months on the date you’re sending your application. 

Now, if you’re just someone who’s just updating their records, you can skip this step and move to the next one. 

What documents are accepted as address proof in Hong Kong?

Here are documents that are accepted as address proof in Hong Kong:

• Interaction with government departments or the judiciary. 
• Statement of account by public bodies (electric, water, and gas bills).
• Statements from banks, mandatory fund approved trustees, or insurance companies.
• Valid tenancy agreement 
• Other bills or documents from local post-secondary institutions, public organizations like Hong Kong Housing Society, Housing Department, and such. 

What information should be present in the address proof in Hong Kong?

An address proof in Hong Kong should provide the following information:

• Your name
• Your principal residential address 
• Issuing date
• Name of issuing organization

Do note that both your name and address on the address proof, should be exactly what you’re going to write on the application form. 

If by chance you can’t provide an address proof with your name and principal residential address, here are alternatives you can submit:

• An address proof with the name and residential address of the person living with you and a declaration signed by that person that states you’re living with them. Download the sample declaration here.

However, if you can’t still provide the alternative above, you may also send a statutory declaration to the Registration and Electoral Office. You can download the sample here. 

Note that this should be signed in front of a Commissioner of Oaths, a Justice of the Peace, or a practicing solicitor. District offices offer free statutory making services. 

5. Send the form 

Once you’ve completed the form and attached the address proof (for new voters), you’re now ready to send it!

There are several ways to send it – by fax, by post, by email, by uploading the form online. 

If by fax, send it to fax number 2891 1180. 

If by post, address it to the Registration and Electoral Office at 8/F Treasury Building 3 Tonkin Street West Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon or 13/F Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre 1 Trademart Drive Kowloon Bay, Kowloon. 

If by email, send it to [email protected]. 

If you want to send it by uploading the form online, you can do so by going to the Registration and Electoral Office Online Upload Platform through this link. 

H2. How do I report a change in my registered information when registering to vote in Hong Kong?

Reporting a change in your registered information when registering to vote in Hong Kong is the same as the steps we provided above. 

You should download the Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector in a Geographical Constituency form instead of the Application for New Registration.  

How do I download the Application for New Registration/ Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector in a Geographical Constituency form in Hong Kong?

There are different ways to download the Application for New Registration/ Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector in a Geographical Constituency form. Below are the steps to obtain it. 

Who can register to vote in Hong Kong? 

You can register to vote in Hong Kong if you are:

• 18 years old and above
• Must be a permanent Hong Kong resident 

What is the new voter registration and change of registration particulars deadline in Hong Kong? 

The new voter registration and change of registration particulars deadline is June 2. However, they also accept applications throughout the year. 

That said, if you want your registration or particulars to be recorded or updated as soon as possible, it’s best to do so before the deadline. 

Sending your forms after June 2 means your information will be recorded or updated in the next voter registration cycle. 

I already sent an application form to register to vote in Hong Kong. Do I need to send a form again? 

If you’ve already sent an application form to register to vote in Hong Kong, there’s no need to send a form again. If you want to see if your recorded information is correct, read how to below. 

How do I know if my recorded information is correct when registering to vote in Hong Kong?

You can check if your recorded information is correct when registering to vote in Hong Kong by going to the Online Voter Information Enquiry System. 

You also have the option to call the Registration and Electoral Office’s hotline which is 2891 1001.