What is a declaration ?

Declarations are normally made and used by members of public when they cannot produce the required documentary proof to substantiate their claims to support their applications made to various government departments or non-government bodies. Private nature declarations can be made in our Public Enquiry Service Centres (PESCs). If declaration is required to make upon the request of government departments, you need to go to the relevant department for making the declaration.

How to make a declaration and what kinds of documents should a declarant bring along ?

To make a declaration, you can approach any of our 20 Public Enquiry Service Centres (PESCs) in 18 districts in person. The process includes filling in a declaration form and making the declaration in front of our Commissioner for Oaths. You need to bring along your Identity Card to identify yourself. You may need to bring along documents as annex to the declaration, if required. If you want to declare the document is duplicated from the original, you only need to bring along the duplicated document.
Please click here for the addresses, telephone numbers and the declaration time slots of the PESCs

Any charge incurred in declaration service ?

No, declaration service is free of charge.

Where can I find the declaration service time slots and the addresses of the 20 Public Enquiry Service Centres ?

Since different Public Enquiry Service Centres (PESCs) have different time slots for declaration service, please call our Central Telephone Enquiry Centre at 2835 2500 during office hours (Monday to Friday from 9:00am - 7:00pm) for the declaration service time slots. The addresses and telephone numbers of the Public Enquiry Service Centres can be found at http://www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/public_enquiry_services/ctec.htm.

Does your department provide witness of signature service ?

No, we only provide declaration service. The Commissioner for Oaths is not empowered under the Oaths and Declaration Ordinance to witness signature. You may consider attaching the required document as an exhibit to the declaration and declare the signature in the exhibit is true and correct. You should consult the relevant organization on whether the declaration will be accepted.

Does your department provide certified true copy service ?

No, we only provide declaration service. The Commissioner for Oaths is not empowered under the Oaths and Declaration Ordinance to certify true copy. They are not in a position to ascertain the authenticity of the original document. You may consider attaching the document as an exhibit to the declaration and declare the exhibit is the true copy of the original document. You should consult the relevant organization on whether the declaration will be accepted.

What language should be used when filling in the form and making declaration ?

Normally, declaration is made by Chinese or English. You should consult the relevant organization what kind of language you have to use. If the declaration form is filled in English, you are required to read the English jurat to show that you are familiar yourself with the language and understand the contents of the declaration. If you have difficulties to understand, you have to accompany by a person who can interpret the contents to you. The interpreter is required to declare that he has truly, distinctly and audibly interpreted the contents to you.

If I am an illiterate, how can I make a declaration ?

If you are an illiterate, you have to accompany by a person who can read the contents to you and he is required to declare that he have truly, distinctly and audibly read the contents to you.

Can the declaration for claiming of payment of Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) be processed in your department ?

Yes, you can approach any of our 20 Public Enquiry Service Centres (PESCs) in person. You need to bring along your Identity Card and the designated declaration form which are provided by the agency or bank of the MPF you joined.
Please click here for the addresses, telephone numbers and the declaration time slots of the PESCs

How to make an appointment with the duty lawyer through Free Legal Advice Scheme (FLAS) ?

You need to go to any of our Public Enquiry Service Centres in person to make the appointment. Our officer will conduct a preliminary interview with you for obtaining the case background and then book an appointment with the Duty Lawyer Service. Normally you can meet the lawyer in 2 to 3 weeks. Since the booking time slots for the Free Legal Advice service varies among Public Enquiry Service Centres, please call our Central Telephone Enquiry Centre at 2835 2500 during office hours (Monday to Friday from 9:00am - 7:00pm) for the booking time. The addresses of the Public Enquiry Service Centres can be found at http://www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/public_enquiry_services/ctec.htm.

Any cases which will be refused by Duty Lawyer Service ?

Please check the website of Duty Lawyer Service at http://www.dutylawyer.org.hk/en/free/free.asp.