Child, youth, adult, or emergency baptism?

In the Lutheran Church, we believe that God never abandons the baptised but desires to save them. God's love and the baptismal water's protection surround the baptised throughout their lives.

Child

A child under 12 can be baptised and become a church member if at least one of the parents or guardians is a church member. In this case, baptism requires the parents' written consent.

Youth

For youth over 12, written consent from both the youth and their parents is required for baptism.

A 15–17-year-old must attend confirmation school before baptism. Youth who are not yet church members are welcome to participate in confirmation school. If they wish to join the church, they are baptised before their confirmation. If they have been baptised as a child, they do not need to be baptised again when joining the church.

Adult

You are never too old to be baptised! If you have not been baptised before, you can be baptised as an adult when joining the church. Before being baptised as an adult, you must attend baptism and confirmation school. A separate confirmation ceremony is not required.

The path to baptism begins with the desire to follow Jesus Christ and join the church. You can apply for church membership through our online service, which requires strong identification (online banking credentials, mobile certificate, or smart card). You can also complete a printable form [linkki englanninkieliselle liittymiskaavakkeelle] and submit it to the parish office or regional parish register. Information about adult confirmation schools and their organisers can be found here.

You can also contact the Espoo regional parish register directly.

If you have already been baptised, attended confirmation school, and been confirmed as a church member, your membership will become effective once your application is processed and you receive confirmation from the parish.

You can submit a church membership form even if you haven't been baptised or confirmed. For more information about adult baptism or confirmation, contact the pastor on call at Espoo parishes, tel. 09 8050 2602 (Mon-Sun 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.).

Emergency baptism

Please contact your parish office if your child has undergone an emergency baptism. The emergency baptism is confirmed in a separate ceremony if the child survives. However, it is important to remember that an emergency baptism is valid; through it, the child shares in God's grace and kingdom. Therefore, the person is not baptised again.