Establishing a Religious Organization in Ukraine

How to Register a Religious Organization in Ukraine and What is Needed?

As mentioned earlier, the process of registering a religious organization consists of several stages, which can be divided into two main blocks: registration of the charter and registration of the religious organization as a legal entity.

Stage 1: Charter Registration

This stage is crucial for obtaining official recognition of the religious organization. The registration of the charter is carried out by the executive authorities, depending on the organization’s level.

• For religious communities: the regional or Kyiv and Sevastopol city state administrations (ODA). Important: The charter or regulation of the community must be signed by at least ten citizens.
• For religious centers, administrations, monasteries, brotherhoods, missions, and spiritual educational institutions: the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience.

To register the charter of a religious organization, the following package of documents must be submitted, as provided in Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations":

1. Application for the registration of a religious community and a list of founders.
2. Minutes of the general meeting of believers.
3. Charter of the community should not be signed, notarized, or stamped.
4. Copies of the founders' passports. For old-style passports, a page with the registration of the place of residence; for ID cards, scans of both sides and an extract about the place of residence.
5. Documents about the religious education of the community's leader (if available).
6. Consent of the property owner or a lease agreement.
7. Document proving ownership of the premises, such as an extract from the State Register of Real Estate, obtained no later than one month ago.
8. Completed questionnaire on the community's activities.
9. Consent to process personal data must be signed by each of the 10 founding members of the community.

If approved, the charter will be registered, and the religious organization will be granted permission to proceed with further actions..

Stage 2: Registering the Religious Organization as a Legal Entity

After registering the charter, the religious organization can be registered as a legal entity. The necessary documents are submitted to the state registrar at the location of the organization or through the Administrative Service Center (ASC). A list of required documents is provided on the previous page under "Documents for registering a religious organization."

After submitting the documents, the registrar will enter the organization’s details into the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs, and Public Associations within 24 hours. The religious organization will receive an extract from the Unified State Register, confirming its status as a legal entity.

Grounds for Refusal of Service

Registration may be refused if the charter or the organization's activities contradict current laws. 

The applicants must be notified of the reasons for the refusal in writing within 10 days.

Procedure for Registering a Religious Organization with Legal Support

How does the registration of a religious community work with us? We understand that each case is unique, so we start with an individual consultation. Our lawyer will answer your questions, including:

• Who registers religious organizations in Ukraine?
• What are the differences between registering a religious community and other organizational-legal forms?
• What are the tax implications for religious organizations?
• What property rights can religious organizations hold?

Our specialists will explain all the legal nuances in detail, help you choose the optimal organizational form (religious community, center, administration, monastery, mission, brotherhood, spiritual educational institution, or association), and provide expert recommendations tailored to your needs.

How does the process of registering a religious organization with legal support work?

After agreeing on the organizational form of the religious organization, we sign a service agreement that outlines the terms and costs. We also sign an act of transfer for the necessary document package.

As a result, you get a complete set of documents!

Our specialists carry out all the necessary actions, after which you receive the full set of documents for a registered religious organization in Ukraine. What exactly do you receive after completing the registration?

1. Charter of the organization: If you already have a draft charter, our specialists will thoroughly check its compliance with current legislation. If needed, we will prepare a standard charter adapted to the specific nature of the organization’s activities.
2. Certificate of legalization of the religious organization: The central executive body responsible for religious affairs checks the organization's charter and issues an official certificate confirming the legality of its operations.
3. Extract from the Unified State Register: After the registration process is completed, the client receives an extract containing all the necessary registration details.
4. Seal (optional): It can include the organization’s registration details, logo, and chosen stamp color.

You don't just receive documents; you get a fully registered religious association, compliant with all legislative requirements, ready to operate.

Why choose our company?

We have been operating in the legal market of Ukraine for over 15 years and possess significant experience in various areas of law, including the registration of religious organizations. This allows us to provide:

• In-depth legal expertise: We approach each issue comprehensively, considering all legal nuances and finding optimal solutions. By choosing us, you gain a reliable partner for all your legal matters, eliminating the need to consult multiple lawyers for different needs.
• A simple and clear process: We value your time and will spare you bureaucratic red tape, making the registration process as simple and transparent as possible. Thanks to our experience and thorough understanding of the procedure, we can clearly explain every stage and minimize potential risks.

Don’t waste time, turn to professionals to simplify the process of registering a religious organization with our legal support. Fill out the contact form or call us right now!