China - Obtain Household Registration Book (Hukou)

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Procedure

Generally, with the exception of minors or the medically disabled, one must apply in person to the PSB office to obtain a hukou or a personal identity card. with the right connections and possibly a power of attorney, duplicate documents may be issued to a person via a relative or a friend. With a valid reason, and a small fee paid to the local police station, a person may obtain a duplicate hukou booklet.

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Required Documents

• Birth papers
• Power of attorney
• Personal identity card

Office Locations & Contacts

People's Republic of China Ministry of Civil Affairs
Address: 147 Main Street, Dongcheng District No. Beiheyan
Zip Code: 100721
Tel: (010) 58123114
Getting There

Links of Local Governments Websites

Contacts for Municipal Public Security Bureaus of China

Eligibility

The information is kept in a hard-covered book called the hukou bu. Each family normally has one book containing entries for each family member. But collective hukous are sometimes issued to people who are not from the same family. For example, a firm in Beijing may maintain a collective hukou bu for employees who are not originally from Beijing.

Under the HRS, every Chinese household is issued one hukou booklet containing the names of every family member, and each individual must be registered at birth with the local hukou authorities.

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Reforms of the Household Registration System (Hukou) (1998-2004)

Processing Time

The processing of first-time registration ranges from a few hours to a few days.

Obtaining a duplicate hukou booklet is usually speedy as well, and can even be done on the spot.

Related Videos

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Instructions

• One citizen can have only one permanent hukou, at only one hukou zone
• Each town and city issues its own hukou, which entitles only its registered residents to complete access to the social benefits associated with that particular hukou.
• Administration of the household registration system and issuance of hukou documents are the exclusive responsibility of the Public Security Bureau (PSB).
• The Household holder has to report to the registration authority 4. if there is any change in the number of household members or registered items
• If the whole household moves out of the registered district, it should report for cancellation of the household.
• The Household Register belongs to the registration issuing authority, any other units or individual are not allowed to add anything onto the register.

Required Information

• Name
• Householder or relationship with householder
• Former Name
• Sex
• Place of Birth
• Ethnic Group
• Place of Origin
• Date of Birth
• Other address in the city
• Religion
• Identity card number
• Height
• Blood Type
• Education Level
• Marital Status
• Work Place
• Position
• When and from where moved in to this city
• When and from where moved in to this address
• Handling persons signature/seal
• Registration Date

Need for the Document

The Household Register (Hukou) is an identification document which indicates the citizens identity and the relationship between family members. It is used by the registration authority for household inquiries. The household holder or members of the household have to present this register to the registration authority for investigation and verification.

The hukou system, or Household Registration System, is a system of residence permits unique to China, dating back over 2,000 years. It identifies a person as a resident of a particular area of the country and includes basic information such as date of birth and marital status.

A household registration record officially identifies a person as a resident of an area and includes identifying information such as name, parents, spouse, and date of birth.

Information which might help

Many provincial and municipal regulations grant local hukou in urban areas based on educational or financial criteria. Zhejiang province directs large and medium-sized towns to grant local hukou to individuals who purchase homes of a certain size or price. Non-local residents with higher educational levels enjoy similar benefits. Chongqing municipality grants local hukou to persons with a 2-year college degree (dazhuan) or higher who purchase a house or apartment that measures 30 square meters or more.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

The hukou is the family book which records all important family matters and importantly the holders official place of residence.

The hukou booklet is usually required for school registration in local public schools, and when applying for an original or a replacement personal identity card. Although it is not required for medical care, it can be used for identification purposes anywhere that an identity document is required. If a member of a household travels abroad with the original hukou in his/her possession, the family back home would have no difficulty obtaining a duplicate hukou booklet.

External Links

http://wiki.china.org.cn/wiki/index.php/Hukou

http://www.mca.gov.cn/

http://en.ce.cn/Business/policy/201406/07/t20140607_2937216.shtml

http://english.gov.cn/service/immigrating.htm

Others

Chinas hukou (household registration) system has imposed strict limits on ordinary Chinese citizens changing their permanent place of residence since it was instituted in the 1950s. Beginning with the reform period in the late 1970s and accelerating during the late 1990s, national and local authorities relaxed restrictions on obtaining urban residence permits. While these moves are a step forward, recent reforms often contain high income and strict housing requirements that work against rural migrants who seek to move to Chinas cities. Migrants who do not meet these requirements usually cannot obtain public services such as health care and schooling for their children on an equal basis with other residents.