declaration of leaving the church

You must submit the declaration of leaving the church in person to the responsible office. The resulting change in religious affiliation is transmitted electronically by the responsible authority to the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). The employer automatically finds out about leaving the church by calling up the electronic income tax deduction details (ELStAM), which are stored at the Federal Central Tax Office. It is therefore not necessary for you to visit the tax office.

You can leave the church at the municipal administration of the unaffiliated municipality, the association municipal administration and, in independent and large district towns, the municipal administration of your place of residence or habitual residence.

You can declare that you are leaving a church, religious community or ideological community if you have reached the age of 14. If you have not yet reached the age of 14, your legal representative who has custody of you (parents, if necessary one parent) can declare that you are leaving the church. Children who have reached the age of 12 cannot be declared against their will.

Identity card or passport or foreign ID card with a registration confirmation that is not older than six months.

You can also provide information about the baptism location. However, this information is voluntary.

• State law on taxes for churches, religious communities and ideological societies (KiStG)
• State Law on Leaving Religious Communities (RelAuG)
• State ordinance on the fee for official acts under the state law on leaving religious communities