Going around the HR/Website for Getting someone hired

Is it unethical to go around the company policy and give a hiring manager a friend's resume?

I recently had two people I considered very good candidates for jobs. I called HR and asked what the procedure was to get the candidate's resume was to the hiring manager with it known  that the person was reccomended by me.

HR informed that each candidate MUST apply through the website. I asked where they can enter that they are referred by me. The HR person said "On any open line in the application, just have them put "Referred by xx". 

I am concerned that if I follow policy one of the following will happen. HR will screen out the candidate (in my opinion unneccessarily). HR will allow the resume to pass through but will not acknowledge that they are referred by me. Even if the resume is passed through with one line on the application, they were referred by me, it's very possible the hiring manager will never see it, since it is not standardized. Lastly, selfishly, and least importantly, I fear that I will not qualify for the bonus $$ associated with referring a new employee.

I am concerned that if I don't follow the policy. If I get the resume of the candidate directly to the hiring manager, and he/she wants to act on it, HR will know that I went around the system. I do not want to get myself or the hiring manager in any kind of a bad light.

I am interested to hear what others think on this topic.