Proof of relationship
 

Hi all - just wondering if anyone had experience in relying on being the spouse/child of a HK resident to enter into HK recently? Presumably marriage certificate and birth certificate are needed, but is a scanned copy sufficient? Cathay on the phone said a scanned copy is sufficient but I want to double check with anyone had some practical experience as the person on the phone didn't sound very sure.

I am not inclined to rely on CX, given that CX is not the one calling the shot.

If obtaining a replacement is no trouble to you, I would strongly encourage bringing the original.

For such topic, I would never rely on what some CX phone agent says.
You need to get direct government information. My guess is that originals might be required.

I assume that you will be traveling with your family. If not, you'd better be already in HK and provide your spouse with proof of your residency.
I don't know your (and wifey) citizenship. Remember that the documents have to be in English (or Chines), otherwise an official translation is required.
In other instances, there have been cases of fake documents, so there might be suspicion from some citizenships.

My wife and son have different Surnames. When she travels alone and enters/ leaves HK, they ask to see the birth cert - photocopy was acceptable.

Obviously times (and regulations) have changed so that needs to be considered.

I am in the same boat and I would bring the original. Cathay may be ok with a copy and let you on their planes, but ultimately it's the HK Custom that oks you into the border at the airport. If the custom agent wants an original, you're out of luck. Or, to confirm, call custom office, at least you get the official answer.

Hong Kong is a member of the Hague Apostille convention. If you apostille a copy of the original document, it will be accepted as a legal doc. If you don't prefer to travel with the original, this will ensure that you have an internationally accepted legal document.

Seriously? Beside - I don't believe you know exactly how this works:

1. The purported "original" document is a copy by itself, i.e. a true copy or certified copy of the record on file with the entity.

2. The cost of authenticating a copy of the true/certified copy is usually higher than getting another true/certified copy.

3. The Apostille does not actually certifies the authenticity of the document. Instead, it certifies the person's signature working on the document. For example, the Apostille for a court judgement (court document) is actually authenticating the signature of the Clerk of the Court who certify the judgement as the true copy on file.

4. The accepting entity always has the final determination to accept a document or not, Apostille or not.

Does it have to be that complicated?

Despite your pompous and indignant reply, many of your points are true. But there are still several reasons why your response is misplaced and why we should generally reply to one another with a more courteous tone. First, despite the seeming irrationality of it, apostilles or certifications still represent the global mark of acceptance (and even authenticity) for foreign issued documents, even though they only certify the signature. Two, though it may be easier to get an original birth certificate or marriage certificate, a foreign issued original is technically no more legal in Hong Kong than a copy. All that said, perhaps none of this discussion really matters....most likely an original would be accepted as proof of relationship, and probably copies would be fine, too. The point of this thread is offer options and suggestions for the original posters consideration. But I agree with the last commenter that an apostille is likely more complicated than need be for this issue.

That's why I don't understand why you need to point this out to further complicate a practically settled issue.

I entered HKG in late April with photocopy of my marriage certificate
At least in my case the whole process was a breeze.

To provide an update on this topic for future reference. Photocopied documents are acceptable. Didn't have originals handy so had to roll the dice. CX SYD emailed HK HQ during check-in process, waited for about 45mins or so and finally received greenlight to proceed.

Very happy for you

I'm guessing you wisely arrived with plenty of time before check in closed. I wonder what would have happened if you arrived on the 60/45 min threshold before take off if they would have let you proceed to the gate and wait there, allowing time to get through security and the miles of duty free stores.

I arrived 3 hours ahead of the flight. Definitely leave plenty of time these days especially if you have special issues. You won't be issued with the boarding pass unless cleared by HK side so won't be able to get past border control/security. Airside SYD was a ghost town with only one café open.

It also took awhile for the Aust Border Force to issue clearance for Aust citizens to leave Aust (this needs to be done separately at the airport before go to CX check in - especially if you need to rely on "ordinarily overseas resident" exemption rather than having obtained an online travel approval beforehand). Whilst waiting for HK clearance, I saw quiet a few passengers were turned around by the ABF for not having the proper approval to leave Aust.

Would the encounter have fewer obstacles if OP presented original, I wonder?