How to Send Tithing Payments Online Through the LDS Church
The LDS Church accepts tithing through its official online portal, which processes payments directly from your bank account or card
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates a dedicated online giving system where members can send tithing and other contributions. You access it through the Church's member portal using your account credentials. The system accepts payments from U.S. bank accounts via ACH transfer, debit cards, and credit cards. Payments typically process within one to three business days, though the Church recommends allowing five to seven days for bank transfers to fully clear.
You do not need to set up a separate account or use a third-party payment processor. The Church handles the transaction directly, and your payment goes to your local congregation or directly to Church headquarters, depending on how you direct it. The system is free to use—there are no transaction fees charged to members.
Key Takeaways
- Log into the Church's member portal using your existing account to access the online tithing system; no separate registration is required.
- You can pay from a U.S. bank account (ACH), debit card, or credit card, and the Church charges no fees to members for any payment method.
- Payments typically clear within one to three business days, though the Church recommends waiting five to seven days to confirm the transaction in your account.
- You can direct your payment to your local ward, stake, or directly to Church headquarters depending on your preference and local instructions.
- The Church's system is encrypted and uses the same security standards as banking websites, so your financial information is not shared with outside vendors.
How to Access the Online Tithing Portal
Go to the Church's official member portal at membertools.lds.org or through the official LDS mobile app. Sign in with your Church account username and password—the same credentials you use for other Church services. If you have never set up a member account, you will need to create one first using your name, email, and a password. The Church sends a verification link to your email before your account becomes active.
Once logged in, look for the "Donations" or "Contributions" section. The exact label varies slightly depending on whether you are using the website or the mobile app, but it is always in the main menu. Select "Make a Donation" or "Contribute Now." You will see options to choose the type of contribution (tithing, fast offering, missionary fund, or other) and the destination (your local ward or Church headquarters).
Payment Methods and How Each One Works
The Church accepts three payment methods, each with slightly different processing times and security considerations.
Bank account transfer (ACH): You provide your routing number and account number, and the Church pulls the payment directly from your checking or savings account. This is the slowest method—the Church typically initiates the transfer immediately, but your bank may take three to five business days to complete it. There is no fee to you, and your bank does not charge for incoming ACH transfers. This method is the most secure because your full card number is never transmitted.
Debit card: You enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV. The payment processes within one business day. Debit card transactions are treated as PIN-less purchases, so your bank may flag them as unusual if you rarely use online debit transactions. There is no fee from the Church, and your bank does not charge for debit card transactions.
Credit card: You enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV. The payment processes within one business day. Credit card payments appear as a transaction from the Church on your statement. Some credit card issuers may classify Church donations as a cash advance or charitable contribution, which can affect rewards or interest rates—check your card's terms if you use rewards cards. There is no fee from the Church.
Directing Your Payment to the Right Place
When you make a donation, the system asks you to choose where the money goes. Most members direct tithing to their local ward (congregation), which then forwards a portion to the stake (regional grouping) and the rest to Church headquarters. Some members prefer to send tithing directly to Church headquarters instead. Both routes are acceptable, and the Church's system makes the choice clear before you confirm the payment.
If you are unsure which option to choose, ask your bishop or ward clerk. They can tell you whether your ward prefers local collection or direct remittance to headquarters. The difference is administrative only—the Church receives the full amount either way, and there is no difference in how your contribution is recorded or used.
What Happens After You Submit Your Payment
After you click "Confirm" or "Submit," the system shows a confirmation number on the screen. Write down or screenshot this number—it is your receipt. The Church also sends a confirmation email to the address on file with your account. This email includes the amount, date, and destination of your payment.
For bank transfers, the money leaves your account within one business day, but your bank may hold it for up to five business days before it fully clears. During this time, the Church's system shows the payment as "pending." Once your bank completes the transfer, the status changes to "completed," and your local ward or headquarters receives the funds. For card payments, the transaction completes within one business day, and the Church receives the money immediately.
You can view your payment history anytime by logging back into the member portal and navigating to the Donations section. The Church keeps a record of every contribution you make through the online system, which you can use for personal record-keeping or tax documentation if needed.
Security and Privacy of Your Financial Information
The Church's payment system uses the same encryption technology (HTTPS and SSL certificates) that banks use to protect online transactions. Your financial information—bank account numbers, card numbers, routing numbers—is encrypted the moment you type it and remains encrypted while stored on the Church's servers. The Church does not share your payment information with outside payment processors or third-party vendors.
The Church's privacy policy, available on its official website, explains how member data is used and stored. Tithing records are kept confidential within the Church and are accessible only to authorized ward and stake leaders who need them for record-keeping. Your payment history is not sold, shared with marketers, or used for any purpose other than recording your contribution and managing Church finances.
If you are concerned about a specific transaction or believe your account has been compromised, contact your ward clerk or bishop directly. They can verify the payment in the Church's internal system and help you investigate any discrepancies.
Troubleshooting Common Payment Issues
If your payment is declined, the most common reason is a mismatch between the address or zip code on file with your bank or card issuer and the information you entered in the Church's system. Try the payment again, making sure the address matches exactly what your financial institution has on record. If it is declined a second time, contact your bank or card issuer to ask whether they have flagged the Church as a merchant or placed a temporary hold on online transactions.
If you do not see your payment reflected in your bank account after seven business days, log back into the member portal and check the status. If it still shows "pending," the Church's system may be waiting for your bank to complete the transfer. Contact your bank directly to confirm whether they have received the ACH request. If your bank has no record of it, contact your ward clerk with your confirmation number from the Church's system.
If you need to cancel or dispute a payment, do so through your bank or card issuer as soon as possible. Notify your ward clerk or bishop at the same time so they can remove the pending payment from the Church's records and avoid confusion when the cancellation processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up automatic recurring tithing payments?
The Church's online system does not offer automatic recurring donations through the member portal itself. You can make a payment each month manually, or you can set up a recurring transfer through your own bank's bill-pay system and direct it to your local ward's address. Ask your bishop for the ward's mailing address or bank account information if you want to set up recurring payments outside the Church's portal.
What if I do not have a U.S. bank account or card?
The Church's online system currently accepts only U.S.-based financial institutions. If you live outside the U.S. or do not have access to a U.S. account, contact your local ward or stake leadership. They can direct you to alternative methods, such as in-person cash or check donations, or they may have information about payment options available in your country.
Do I get a tax receipt or record for my tithing?
The Church does not automatically send tax receipts. However, you can print or download your payment history from the member portal anytime, and this record is sufficient for personal tax documentation if you itemize deductions. Consult a tax professional about whether your Church contributions are deductible under your tax situation.
Is my payment information safe if I use the mobile app instead of the website?
Yes. The LDS mobile app uses the same encryption and security standards as the website. Your financial information is protected equally on both platforms. The app is an official Church product and is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
What if I accidentally send tithing to the wrong ward or stake?
Contact your ward clerk or bishop immediately with your confirmation number. They can work with Church headquarters to redirect the payment to the correct location. This process usually takes one to two weeks, so report the error as soon as you notice it.