Start-up notification of religious community
A minimum of 20 persons is required to found a religious community. All founders must be aged 18 years or over.
The founders sign a charter to which they attach the bylaws of the community.
The bylaws must include the following information about the community:
- the name
- the domicile (municipality where the community is based); and
- the purpose and forms of activity.
The Finnish Freedom of Religion Act determines the contents of the bylaws. Read the Freedom of Religion Act in the reference database of Finnish legislation Finlex.Open link in a new tab
We forward the details of the founding members to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
How to file the notification
It is not possible to file the notification online.
File the notification using form Y1a (start-up notification), appendix form 12B and the personal data form. Please note that the forms are only available in Finnish and in Swedish. Save the forms to your computer, fill them in and print out.
Who signs the notification?
The chairperson of the executive committee of the religious community signs the notification. If the community has filed the details of the executive committee with the Register of Religious Communities, the notification can be signed by any other committee member.
What does it cost?
The handling fee for a start-up notification is 220 euros. Pay the handling fee in advance and enclose the receipt with your notification. See our price list and payment instructions.
What documents need to be enclosed?
Enclose the following with your notification:
- the charter in original copy
- the bylaws of the community; and
- the receipt for the handling fee.
The charter and the bylaws of the community must be filed in the same language in which the notification was registered, in other words in Finnish or in Swedish.
Send the notification to us by post
Send the notification to:
Finnish Patent and Registration Office
Register of Religious Communities
FI-00091 PRH
FINLAND