Do religious institutions have to register for religious activities? What are the current procedures for registering religious activities?
Are Religious Institutions Required to Register Their Religious Activities?
Pursuant to the Law on Belief and Religion 2016, which stipulates the rights to freedom of belief and religion; religious activities; religious organizations; rights and responsibilities of agencies, organizations, and individuals related to religious activities.
According to Article 12 of the Law on Belief and Religion 2016, the provisions for registering religious activities are as follows:
Registration of Religious Activities
1. The religious activities of a religious institution must be registered, except for family ancestral worship.
2. The representative or management board of the religious institution is responsible for submitting a registration document to the People’s Committee at the commune level where the religious institution is located no later than 30 days before the institution begins its religious activities, except as stipulated in Article 14 of this Law.
The registration document shall specify the name of the religious institution, religious activities, content, scope, time, and location of activities.
The commune-level People’s Committee is responsible for responding in writing within 15 days from the date of receiving a valid registration document; if registration is refused, the reasons must be clearly stated.
3. For religious activities not included in the registered document, the representative or management board of the religious institution is responsible for registering additional activities as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article no later than 20 days before the activities take place.
Thus, according to the regulations, except for institutions practicing family ancestral worship, religious institutions are required to register their religious activities with the competent authorities.
The representative or management board of the religious institution is responsible for submitting a registration document to the People’s Committee at the commune level where the religious institution is located no later than 30 days before the religious institution begins its activities.
Are Religious Institutions Required to Register Their Religious Activities? What is the current procedure for registering religious activities? (Image from the Internet)
What is the Current Procedure for Registering Religious Activities?
Pursuant to Decision 199/QD-BNV in 2018 announcing administrative procedures in the field of belief and religion under the management function of the Ministry of Home Affairs dated January 31, 2018.
According to Subsection 1, Section D, Part II of the Administrative Procedures issued with the Decision 199/QD-BNV in 2018 by the Minister of Home Affairs, the current procedure for registering religious activities is as follows:
(1) Procedure Steps:
- Step 1: The representative or management board of the religious institution is responsible for sending a registration document to the commune-level People’s Committee where the religious institution is located.
- Step 2: The commune-level People’s Committee reviews the registration document. If the document is not complete or valid, the commune-level People’s Committee will notify through the Internet or in writing for the religious institution to complete the document.
- Step 3: The commune-level People’s Committee responds in writing. If registration is declined, it must be in writing, stating the reasons clearly.
(2) Method of Implementation: Submit the registration document directly at the commune-level People’s Committee where the religious institution is located; via postal service or through online public services.
The document must have the confirmation of the commune-level People’s Committee where the religious institution is located and include an appointment slip for the result. If sent via postal service, the date the document is received is the date marked on the receiving stamp.
(3) Components and Quantity of Application:
- Application components: Registration document (according to the template).
- Quantity of application: 01 set.
(4) Processing Time Frame: 15 days from the date the commune-level People’s Committee where the religious institution is located receives a valid registration document.
(5) Entities Implementing the Administrative Procedure: The representative or management board of the religious institution.
(6) Agencies Implementing the Administrative Procedure: Commune-level People’s Committee where the religious institution is located.
(7) Result of the Administrative Procedure: A written response approving or not approving the registration of religious activities.
(8) Fees: None.
What are the Requirements and Conditions for Registering Religious Activities?
According to Point k, Subsection 1, Section D, Part II of the Administrative Procedures issued with Decision 199/QD-BNV in 2018 by the Minister of Home Affairs, the requirements and conditions when registering religious activities are as follows:
- The representative or management board of the religious institution is responsible for submitting the annual religious activity registration document no later than 30 days before the institution begins its religious activities.
- The annual registration of religious activities is only done once. For religious activities not included in the registered document, the representative or management board of the religious institution is responsible for registering additional activities.
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