Registering a church organisation (congregation)

To register a church organisation, follow these steps.

Would you like to register an independent body of a church organisation (a member of Interkerkelijk Contact in Overheidszaken (CIO, in Dutch)) in the Business Register? Or change the details of any such independent body? Please contact the church organisation in question. 

1. Download and fill in the form

Download Form 27 (in Dutch): ‘church organisation registration form’. The form states who is authorised to sign the form. Please consider the following:

Directors and authorised representatives

Directors and authorised representatives are not registered in the Business Register, even if the church organisation runs a business. For a detailed explanation, please refer to the Explanatory Memorandum to the Business Register Decree. The church organisation’s record in the Business Register may not contain any details that can be traced back to a natural person. For example, in order to prevent discrimination on the basis of religion.

Telephone number

The organisation’s phone number may not be the private phone number of a member of the congregation, as this would be personally identifiable information.

2. Collect supporting documents

• The church statute, signed by at least 2 directors. If the church has no statute, bring a written statement from several members of the congregation to demonstrate the existence of a congregation. This statement must be signed by at least 2 members of the congregation and specify the name of the congregation and its objective.
• Minutes of the board meeting or letters of appointment showing that the person signing the form is also a director. At least 2 directors must sign the minutes.
• A copy of the lease, purchase, or rental agreement, which is signed by 2 parties. Or a declaration of consent for the visiting address. A statement of consent must also be accompanied by a copy of a valid ID belonging to the owner of the property. The visiting address of a church organisation may not be the private address of one of the members of the congregation. An address of an independent third party, such as an accountant or notary, is allowed.

3. UBOs

If the congregation is required to be registered in the Business Register and it is not part of a Dutch umbrella organisation (i.e. there is no higher level of aggregation), you must also register the congregation’s UBOs. Please complete form 34 (in Dutch) and bring it to the appointment along with the requested supporting documents. 

4. Visit a branch of KVK to complete your registration

• Although no directors are registered, the signatory (director) must visit a branch of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK in person. 
• You must make an appointment to visit KVK. During your visit, a KVK employee will check your ID and determine whether you meet the registration requirements. Make an appointment by clicking the ‘Make an appointment’ button below, and log in with DigiD.
• Complete and sign the form and bring it to the appointment along with a valid ID.
• Registration is free for church organisations.

Make an appointment