eRecognition

Churches can apply for eHerkenning with security level 3 to communicate digitally with, for example, the Tax Office and the UWV.

Since January 2020, all local churches have been registered in the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce (CoC). As there are no names of churchwardens or church members registered there, the procedure has been slightly modified, and statements of legal personality and representation of churches are used.

All churches have a letter about eRecognition received, containing more information and instructions.

KPN has been one of the suppliers with the CIO took the lead in enabling the process for churches. The presentation below shows the application process step by step:

KPN explanation for eRecognition applications for churches

What is eRecognition?

eHerkenning ensures that someone who wants to purchase a service online is recognised and checks whether that person is authorised to make that transaction. It is similar to DIGID for natural persons, but with eHerkenning you represent a company or church. The church council, as the board of the church, authorises a person to arrange matters online on behalf of the church. This is the treasurer, for example. eHerkenning works with reliability levels from 1 to 5. Depending on the reliability level, a test is performed on the natural person and the degree of authorisation this person has to perform legal transactions on behalf of the church.

What do churches need eRecognition for?

More and more business is done online, which requires a digital key such as eHerkenning (eID). For example, the government is increasingly digitising and companies also often offer their services online. A church employing staff, such as a sexton, needs eHerkenning for the UWV's employer portal or to submit payroll tax returns on Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk. But also think about applying for subsidies and the like at municipal offices or other bodies. The Certificate of good conduct (VOG) will soon go through eRecognition.

For some churches, eRecognition will not be needed immediately yet, but digitalisation is expected to continue and a time will come when it will be needed. Churches that file their own wage tax returns should apply for eRecognition as a matter of urgency, as the extension for filing wage tax returns expires on 1 July 2020.

How to apply?

Churches and other church legal entities, such as deputations, that wish to apply for eRecognition, request a declaration of legal personality for eRecognition (declaration A) from the Service Office. Contact details can be found below.

You will receive from the Services Office a form for identification of authorised persons (declaration B), which must be completed and signed.

You need both documents for your application to a supplier eRecognition

The information on this page is the responsibility of deputies for financial affairs.