Explain how to leave the church
Declaration of withdrawal from a religious community with legal entity status submitted to the registry office or local court, effective for purposes of church tax liability.
How to proceed
- 1
Schedule an appointment at the registry office or district court
The responsible agency varies by state.
- 2
Submit your resignation in person
Upon presentation of an ID card and payment of a fee.
- 3
Received a certificate of withdrawal
Effective as of the end of the following month; relevant for income tax purposes.
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
Fees
Varies by case
Processing time
approx. 1 weeks
Official: max. approx. 2 weeks
Online application
In person or by post
Common mistakes
- • Forgot to appear in person (resignation cannot be submitted by mail)
- • Fee not paid
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
Members of a church or religious community who wish to terminate their membership.
Income limit
The limit varies by household and region – see the table at the responsible authority or in the application assistant.
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. approx. 1 weeks
Success rate
approx. 99.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Forgot to appear in person (resignation cannot be submitted by mail)
- •Fee not paid
Common reasons for rejection
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
Read the decision carefully: often submitting missing documents or reapplying helps more than an objection.