Registration

Both Churches and religious communities to which the continuity of legal personality is confirmed

The application for registration in the Register of Registered Entities, confirming the continuity of the legal entity, is submitted to the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina on form U-1, signed by the person authorised to represent the Registered Entity.

The U-2 form, which provides the details (first name, surname, handwritten signature, unique personal identification number and the service of the authorised representative) of the authorised representative, is attached to the application (Form U-1). This form is signed by an official.

If a new organisational unit, which will have legal personality, is established within an existing church or religious community, the application for registration in the Register must be submitted on form U-1-1, signed by the person authorised to represent the new registrant.

The following must be attached to the U-1-1 application:

a) a duly completed U-1 form for an existing church or religious community, signed by a person authorised to represent the existing church or religious community;

b) a decision by the competent authority of the church or religious community on the establishment of a new organisational unit (i.e. a new entity for registration);

c) a U-2 form signed by an official, which contains details of the person authorised to represent the new registrant.

Applications for registration in the Register and applications for registration of changes in the Register are submitted to the Ministry of Justice by: The Bishops' Conference and the diocesan ordinariates for the Catholic Church, the Eparchies for the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the muftis' offices for the Islamic Community, and the Jewish Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Jewish Community.

II New churches or religious communities

A new church or religious community may be established by 300 adult citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regardless of their entity citizenship.

A new church or religious community cannot be established under the same or a similar name as an existing church or religious community.

The application for registration of a new church or religious community is submitted to the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina on form U-3, which is signed by the person authorised to represent the entity being registered.

The following must be attached to the U-3 application (form):

a) the statute of the church or religious community, from which the content and manner of professing the faith, the performance of religious rites, the scope and manner of its activities are apparent;

b) a document concerning her official religious instruction;

c) a list of 300 citizens – followers, containing the following information: first name and surname, place of birth, current residential address, unique personal identification number and the handwritten signature of the citizens – followers;

d) the decision to establish, adopted by at least 30 founders of the church or religious community, the first name and surname of the head of the church or religious community, his deputy or other representatives authorised to represent the church or religious community before state authorities;

e) a U-2 form signed by an official, which contains details of the person authorised to represent the registered entity.

III Union of Churches and Religious Communities

Two or more churches or religious communities from Bosnia and Herzegovina may establish alliances of churches and religious communities.

Alliances are established by agreement, declaration or other written instrument in which the founders are named, the objectives for which the Alliance is established are defined, the manner of forming the joint governance and representative structure is set out, and the duration of the Alliance is specified.

The application for the Association's registration in the Register is submitted on Form U-1, which is signed by the person authorised to represent the Association. Form U-2, containing the details of the person authorised to represent the Association and signed by an official, is also attached. The written act establishing the Association is likewise attached.