Article 1 This method is formulated in conformity with the Registration and Management Method of Social Organizations to protect the legitimate rights and interests and to ensure the implementation of the registration and management of religious organizations.

Article 2 Nationwide and regional religious organizations composed of Chinese citizens within the territory of the People's Republic of China, at and above the county level, will apply for registrations at local Civil Administration Organs in accordance with the regulations of this method.

Article 3 Nationwide religious organizations shall apply for registration at the local Civil Administration Organs after being examined and approved by the Religious Affairs Bureau of the State Council. Regional religious organizations shall apply for registration at the local Civil Administration Organs after being examined and approved by the Religious Affairs Bureau of the local government and turn over the registration to the Religious Affairs Bureau at a higher level for record keeping. The Catholic Parish shall apply for registration at the Civil Administration Organ at the provincial level after being verified and approved by the Provincial Religious Affairs Bureau.

Article 4 Requirements for the registration of religious organizations:

(1) The organization shall have a name, a work location and a main principal.

(2) The constitutions, laws and regulations shall not be violated.

(3) The organization shall have a lawful income.

(4) The organization shall have its own established sutra, a religious doctrine and canons that tally with the exiting Chinese religious evolution and are not in breach of the regulations.

(5) Organization members are generally representative.

Article 5 Religious organizations constituted before the promulgation of the Registration and Management Method of Social Organizations shall transact registrations and update certificates as stipulated in Article 29.

Article 6 Religious organizations will submit the required documents in sections one, three, four, five and six of Article 10 of the Method on Registration and Management of Social Organizations, as well as the major sutras, religious doctrine, canons and documents pertaining to its religious evolution.

Article 7 No similar or identical religious organizations shall be installed in the same administrative region.

Article 8 Religious organizations shall submit an annual inspection report and other relevant materials to the local Religious Affairs Bureau regarding the registration and management organs on the same level.

Article 9 Items not included in this method shall be governed by the Method on Registration and Management of Social Organizations.

Article 10 The interpretation of this regulation shall lie with the Ministry of Civil Administration and Religious Affairs Bureau of the State Council.