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Center Resident Affairs

Leaving the church


Would you like to leave the church or another religious community under public law?
  •  

Use Online-Service

Detailed description

Churches, religious communities and ideological communities are treated equally under German law. In the following they are all referred to as religious communities. If they are corporations under public law, they can collect church tax from their members.
Overview of religious communities - corporations under public law - see link.

Anyone who wishes to leave a religious community under public law existing in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg must declare their withdrawal to the competent authority.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • Residence in Hamburg.
  • Full age:
    • Personal appearance required.
    • Power of attorney not possible.
  • Minor:
    • Until the child reaches the age of 14, the legal guardians must declare their departure in person at the registry office. The presence of children aged 12 and over is required.
    • From the age of 14, the child is of legal age and can make the declaration themselves.

Documents required

  • Federal identity card or passport

Please note

  • The change or withdrawal from the church is automatically reported to the tax office.
  • The declaration of withdrawal can also be made in writing via a notary. This will incur additional costs, which you should clarify directly with the notary.
  • Cancellations via third parties are not possible.
  • At the end of the month in which your withdrawal takes effect, your obligation to pay church tax ends. From the following month onwards, you no longer have to pay church tax.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • You can make an appointment online or by phone.

Processing time


  • immediately after making an appointment

Fees


  • 31 EUR.

    The full amount must always be paid per person, this also applies to minors. There are no discounts or exemptions.

Payment methods available

  • Girocard
  • Cash payment

Legal basis


  • Law on withdrawal from religious societies under public law (RelGemAustrG

  • Hamburg Church Tax Act (HmbKiStG)

Forms and downloads

Links on ¼«ËÙʱʱ²Ê

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Center Resident Affairs

You can use this service at any Hamburg Service Residents' Affairs location, regardless of where you live in Hamburg.

Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 9am-4pm, visits are only possible by appointment. You can book an appointment online (https://www.¼«ËÙʱʱ²Ê/go/17584) or by phone at 040 115.

The location will be closed on May 7, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Hausbriefkasten befindet sich vor den Eingängen auf der Vorder- und Rückseite.

Es ist nur eine ganz geringe Anzahl an Parkplätzen vorhanden !

You can take the required photo beforehand on a self-recording terminal (Speed Capture Terminal).
Cost: 6 euros.
Please speak to the clerk afterwards.
Please plan some time before your appointment to collect your data if you want to use the self-recording terminal.

Haven't found the right one yet?

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Keywords: Exit from religion Cancellation of church membership Termination of religious membership

Last updated: 28.04.2025