The Immigration Department will extend its appointment booking services to include birth registration of newborn babies from tomorrow, with the first available appointment date on November 10.

The 24-hour free booking service can be made online or by calling 2598 0888.

Before selecting the date of appointment, parents should confirm with the hospital where the child was born that the birth return has been delivered to the births registry.

When selecting a date of appointment for registration of their newborn babies, parents can choose a day, except Sundays and general holidays, within 42 calendar days. The earliest available appointment is on the next working day following the booking, subject to the availability of time slots at the births registry in the district where the birth occurred.

The earliest available appointment date for the first week of the new service from November 3 to 7 falls on November 10. Parents can also change or cancel it before the appointment date.

No registration fee is payable if the birth is registered within a period of 42 days after birth. A prescribed fee of $140 will be charged if the birth is registered after 42 days but within 12 months after birth.