About Registration of a Society

1. What organization may register under the Societies Ordinance?
2. How to apply for registration of societies or exemption from registration?
3. What is the difference between registration of a society and exemption from registration?
4. How many person(s) does it apply to registration of societies or exemption from registration?
5. How long does it take to process an application for registration of a society / exemption from registration?
6. Are the registered societies / exempted societies required to file tax return?
7. How to update particulars of a registered society / exempted society?
8. How to apply for replacement of a lost Certificate of Registration of a Society or Certificate of Exemption from Registration of a Society?
9. How to get the list of office-bearers of a registered society / exempted society?
10. How can I verify the registration of a society in Hong Kong?

According to the Societies Ordinance (Cap. 151), Laws of Hong Kong, any organization established in Hong Kong may register as a society under the Societies Ordinance, except those that have been registered under other Ordinances. An organization, depending on its object, nature and operation, may decide to register under any appropriate ordinance. For queries on a specific association, advice may be sought from a legal advisor.

2. How to apply for registration of societies or exemption from registration?

Any association which intends to apply for registration as a society or exemption from registration under the Societies Ordinance shall submit to the Police Licensing Office within one month of its establishment an application form together with supporting documents including:

1. A copy of office-bearers’ identity documents
2. Proof of address of the principle place of business of the association
3. A consent letter from the occupant of the premises if the occupant is not an office-bearer of the society

Application forms can be obtained from the Police Licensing Office, Hong Kong Police Force, or can be downloaded from here or by calling 2860 2973 (24-hour telephone hotline).

Application form together the supporting documents should be completed and submitted to the Police Licensing Office in person or by post. For application enquiries, please contact the Police Licensing Office at 2860 3573.

The address of the Police Licensing Office is:

The relevant Ordinance is available on Internet http://www.legislation.gov.hk/eng/index.htm.

3. What is the difference between registration of a society and exemption from registration?

A society can apply for exemption from registration if it is established solely for religious, charitable, social or recreational purposes or as a rural committee or a federation or other associations of rural committees. However, the application process and legal obligation of a registered society and an exempted society are the same.

4. How many person(s) does it apply to registration of societies or exemption from registration?

At least three office-bearers are required for registration purpose. The person-in-charge of the society should be submitted as one of the registered office-bearers. The rest may be the vice-chairman, treasurer or secretary or appointed person of the society to operate bank accounts on behalf of the society. The particulars of office-bearers must be completed in full, signed and to be returned to the Societies Office with copies of their HKID cards or other valid identity documents if they are not holders of HKID cards. Applications are accepted from foreign associations provided that if any one of its office-bearers or members resides in Hong Kong or works in Hong Kong and an office, place of business or place of meeting is maintained or used in Hong Kong by such society. Office-bearers are required to provide their individual correspondence addresses which are different from the society address and telephone numbers for record and contact purposes. Addresses can be either residential or business addresses in Hong Kong.

5. How long does it take to process an application for registration of a society / exemption from registration?

The performance pledge is normally 12 working days provided that sufficient information is submitted for the application.

6. Are the registered societies / exempted societies required to file tax return?

The Societies Ordinance does not restrict the operation of a registered society / exempted society. For queries about tax affairs, please contact the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department directly on 187 8088 or visiting their website at
(http://www.ird.gov.hk/)

7. How to update particulars of a registered society / exempted society?

An application form for change of particulars of registered or exempted societies shall be completed and sent to the Police Licensing Office within one month from such change. Relevant supporting documents are required for certain changes:

1. Change of officer-bearer(s):
   -Copy of identity document(s) of incoming office-bearer(s);
   
   
   
2. Change of principle place of business:
   -Address Proof of the new principle place of business;
   -Original Certificate of Registration of a Society or Certificate of Exemption from Registration of a Society
   -A written consent from the property owner.
   
   
   
3. Change of Society name or Dissolution of a Society
   -Original Certificate of Registration of a Society or Certificate of Exemption from Registration of a Society
   
   
   
4. Change of object / constitution
   - You are required to submit a constitution / articles of association / minutes of a meeting, if any, to establish the society or any document purporting to show the objects and purposes of a society. The relevant documents must be endorsed by Chairperson on each page(s).
   

Application forms can be obtained in person from the Police Licensing Office, Hong Kong Police Force, or by calling 2860 2973 or press here to download.

8. How to apply for replacement of a lost Certificate of Registration of a Society or Certificate of Exemption from Registration of a Society?

For replacement of a lost Certificate of Registration of a Society or Certificate of Exemption from Registration of a Society, the Chairman of the society shall write to the Police Licensing Office and submit a loss report issued by any police station by mail, fax (Fax no.22004327) or in person

The address of the Police Licensing Office is:

Office Hours:

9. How to get the list of office-bearers of a registered society / exempted society?

The list of the office-bearers could be released with the prescribed consent of the data subject(s), or accordance with the provisions under Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap 486), Laws of Hong Kong. Please write to the Police Licensing Office by mail, in person or by fax (Fax no.22004327) and provide the written consent of the relevant officer bearers. For obtaining photocopy of personal data or the constitution, a photocopy charge set by the Treasury will be levied.

10. How can I verify the registration of a society in Hong Kong?

There is a list of registered societies or exempted societies kept in the Police Licensing Office at 12/F., Arsenal House, Police Headquarters, No. 1 Arsenal Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong for inspection by members of the public during office hours free of charge. Our office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (Monday to Friday except Public Holidays). Enquiry on a specific society may also be made to the Police Licensing Office by email (societies-office@police.gov.hk).