Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted by someone who was a Swiss citizen when your adoption was completed?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Swiss passport and ID
Swiss citizens can get a Swiss passport and identity card.
The passport can be used for international travel, and both documents must be renewed when they expire.
Live in Switzerland for life
Swiss citizens can live in and return to Switzerland without an immigration permit.
This right does not end if they live abroad, lose a job or let a passport expire.
Work in Switzerland
Swiss citizens can work in Switzerland without an immigration permit or permission to work.
Get help abroad
Swiss citizens can get advice and emergency help abroad from Swiss embassies, consulates and the FDFA Helpline.
Help is generally available when you cannot reasonably protect your interests yourself or through others.
A Swiss office abroad can also issue documents and help with official records and other administrative matters.
Vote and run for office
Swiss citizens aged 18 or over living in Switzerland can vote and take part in elections at national, cantonal and local levels.
They can sign or launch proposals for public votes and stand for election where the office’s rules allow.
Citizens abroad can vote nationally if registered with a Swiss office and on the voting list; some cantons also allow cantonal or local voting.
How to apply
Applying in SwitzerlandApplying in Switzerland
Find your adoption authority
For an adoption in Switzerland, find the adoption authority for the canton where you, the adoptive parent, live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Swiss cantonal adoption authority serves your city?”
Get the application materials
Contact the cantonal adoption authority and ask for its adoption information and application materials.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get Swiss adoption application materials from the cantonal adoption authority in your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents the adoption authority asks for.
See required documentsSubmit your adoption request
Submit your adoption request and supporting documents to the cantonal adoption authority in the way it asks.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an adoption request to the Swiss cantonal adoption authority in your city?”
Complete the adoption assessment
Take part in the meetings and checks requested by the adoption authority for your child's adoption.
Learn about the assessmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens during a Swiss adoption assessment by the cantonal adoption authority?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the adoption authority or court to decide on your child's adoption. Answer any questions or requests for more documents.
Learn about the decisionSearches DuckDuckGo for “How is an adoption request decided in Switzerland?”
Wait for registration
Once the adoption decision is final, wait for the Swiss civil-status authorities to record your child's adoption and citizenship. Your child can then apply for a Swiss passport.
Learn about registrationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How is Swiss citizenship through adoption recorded after an adoption decision?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates* *
Get your original birth certificates from before and after your adoption from the office responsible for your birth records. They should generally be no more than six months old; copies are not accepted.
* Only if you report an adoption from abroad.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationAdoption decision* *
Get the original adoption decision from the office that issued it. It should state where it was issued and preferably say that it is final or enforceable; ask your consulate about the general six-month limit for documents.
* Only if you report an adoption from abroad.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationHague adoption certificate* *
Get the original Hague Convention Certificate of Conformity, also called the Article 23 certificate, from the office that issued it. Ask your consulate about the general six-month limit for documents.
* Only if you report an adoption from abroad under the Hague Adoption Convention.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationCopies of parents' passports* *
Provide copies of your adoptive parents' passports for the registration file. Ask your consulate how to submit the copies.
* Only if you report an adoption from abroad under the Hague Adoption Convention.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Registration when living abroad
Swiss citizens living abroad who are not registered with a Swiss local authority must register with the responsible Swiss office, generally within 90 days of leaving Switzerland.
Military service for men
Swiss men generally must do military or civilian service from age 18, often until age 30.
Men abroad are normally exempt in peacetime; special rules apply on permanent return, in border areas or when studying or training in Switzerland.
Those who do not serve, including men in civil protection, may owe 3% of taxable income, at least CHF 400 a year, with exceptions and reductions; service under another citizenship may bring an exemption.
Citizenship can be lost
Born abroad to a Swiss parent with another citizenship, you can lose citizenship at 25 if your birth was not reported and you never said you wanted to keep it; some failures can be corrected.
Some adoptions or a citizenship decision obtained by deception can end it, sometimes for children; serious harm to Switzerland can also lead to loss if you have another citizenship.
Living abroad, you can give it up if you have or are assured another citizenship.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
EXPATS IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭✨ Lifestyle, Networking & Travel Tips 🌍
English Facebook group for people living in Switzerland interested in Swiss local life
Join on Facebook🇨🇭Expats in Switzerland ⭑ Living, Moving & Advice ✨
English Facebook group for people living in Switzerland interested in Swiss visas
Join on Facebookr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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