Barmbek-Uhlenhorst Residents’ Affairs

Declare resignation from the church

If you wish to leave the church or another religious community, you must submit a declaration.

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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 you wish to leave a religious community under public law, you must declare your resignation to the responsible authority.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You submit the declaration in person.
  • You are at least 14 years old.
    • Before the child reaches the age of 14, the legal guardians must personally declare their withdrawal. If the child is at least 12 years old at the time of the declaration, they must be present in person when submitting the declaration.

Documents required

  • Identity card or passport

Please note

  • You can submit your declaration to a notary public. Additional costs will apply.
  • Your obligation to pay church tax ends at the end of the month in which your withdrawal from the church becomes effective (this can take 1-2 months). From the following month onwards, you no longer have to pay church tax.
  • Your withdrawal from the church will be automatically recorded in your electronic income tax deduction information (ELStAM). You do not need to provide your employer with any proof.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • You can make an appointment with the responsible office online or by calling 115.
  • You appear in person at the agreed time and declare your withdrawal from the religious community.
  • You pay the administration fee.
  • You will receive a certificate of withdrawal.

Processing time

If you have made an appointment in advance, processing can begin immediately.

Fees

31.00 EUR per person leaving

Payment methods available

  • Girocard
  • Classic credit card

Legal remedies

Not applicable

Legal basis

Law on withdrawal from religious societies under public law (RelGemAustrG


https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-RelGemAustrGHArahmen


Hamburg Church Tax Act (HmbKiStG)


https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-KiStGHAV2P2/part/X

Forms and downloads

Links on hamburg.de

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Barmbek-Uhlenhorst Residents’ Affairs

You can use this service regardless of your place of residence in Hamburg at the following Hamburg Service locations for residents' affairs:

  • Altona
  • Barmbek-Uhlenhorst
  • City
  • Harburg

Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, visits are only possible by appointment. You can book an appointment online (https://www.hamburg.de/go/17584) or by phone at 040 115.
Wenn Sie einen Personalausweis, Reisepass oder Kinderreisepass beantragen möchten, können Sie zur Erfassung der notwendigen biometrischen Daten (Foto, Unterschrift, Fingerabdrücke) ein vorhandenes Selbsterfassungsterminal nutzen (Kosten 6 Euro). Das Mitbringen eines Fotos entfällt dann. Planen Sie bitte vor Ihrem Termin einige Minuten mehr Zeit für die Erfassung Ihrer Daten ein, sofern Sie das Selbsterfassungsterminal nutzen möchten. Bitte sprechen Sie im Anschluss bei der Sachbearbeitung vor.

If you would like to apply for an identity card, passport or children's passport, you can use an existing self-recording terminal (Speed Capture Terminal) to capture the necessary biometric data (digital photo, signature, fingerprints).


Please allow a few minutes more time before your appointment to collect your data.


Note: You will not receive a printout of the digital photo.


There is no need to bring a passport photo with you when using the self-registration terminal.


Use costs 6 euros.


Please speak to the clerk afterwards.



The existing self-recording terminal (Speed Capture Terminal) cannot be used for fishing licenses and driver's license applications. Please bring a passport photo (biometric) with you for these services.

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

Last updated: 16.08.2026