Kirchenaustritt erklären

I would like to leave the church.

Resignation from the Protestant church in Bremerhaven can be declared as follows:

at the Evangelical Lutheran Church:
Resignations from the church are only possible by telephone appointment.
Evangelical Lutheran Church Office Elbe-Weser, An der Mühle 10, 27570 Bremerhaven,
Tel: 0471 50477-3
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 08:30 - 12:00 and Mon to Thu 13:30 - 15:00
http://www.kirche-elbe-weser.de/kirchenamt_elbe_weser

at the Evangelical-Ref. church:
Gemeindebüro, Lange Straße 125, 27580 Bremerhaven,
Tel: 0471 51468
Opening hours: Wed. and Fri. 8:00 - 12:00
https://bremerhaven.reformiert.de/Ansprechpartner.html

Resignation from the Catholic Church in Bremerhaven can be declared as follows:

at the Catholic Church:
Kath. Pfarramt Hl. Herz Jesu Lehe, Geibelstraße 9, 27576 Bremerhaven,
Tel: 0471 3085990
https://www.herz-jesu-lehe.de/unsere-gemeinde/pfarrbuero/

Kath. Pfarramt Hl. Herz Jesu Geestemünde, Grashoffstraße 50, 27570 Bremerhaven,
Tel: 0471 21521
https://www.herzjesu-kirche.de/unsere-gemeinde/pfarrbuero-geestemuende/

It is also possible to have the signature for the declaration of withdrawal notarized at the local registry office for a fee of € 5.50

- However, this does not constitute leaving the church! (Note: only notarization of the signature (see procedure)).

Valid identity card or passport

The resignation declaration can also be filled out at the registry office upon presentation of the identity card. The signature will be certified by the registrar for a fee of 5.50 €.

The declaration must be forwarded by the resigning person(s) to the responsible church so that the resignation becomes effective upon receipt by the church. The necessary steps will then be taken there.

The obligation to pay church tax ends at the end of the calendar month in which the declaration of leaving the church became effective.

Agencies listed below are outside of municipal government, but can assist you in obtaining the service.

• Ev.-luth. church office Elbe-Weser, An der Mühle 10, 27570 Bremerhaven, Tel: 0471 50477-406
• Ev.-ref. parish office, Lange Straße 125, 27580 Bremerhaven, Tel: 0471 51468
• Catholic parish office of St. Herz Jesu Lehe, Geibelstraße 9, 27576 Bremerhaven, Tel: 0471 3085990
• Catholic Parish Office St. Herz Jesu Geestemünde, Grashoffstr. 50, 27570 Bremerhaven, Tel: 0471 21521