You can get a birth certificate from the civil register office at the place of birth. In Switzerland, the birth must be registered within three days at the civil register office where the child was born. Usually, the hospital, maternity clinic, or medical staff attending the birth will register it for you, but you can also do it yourself or authorize someone else to do so on your behalf
. To obtain the birth certificate, you can request it from the same civil register office. The cost is typically CHF 30 plus postage. You may order it in person, online (if available in your municipality), or by mail. For example, in Lucerne and some surrounding areas, you can order the birth certificate online and it will be sent by post within about 5 working days
. If the birth occurred abroad and you are a Swiss citizen or have close ties to Switzerland, you should register the birth with the Swiss embassy or consulate in that country. The embassy or consulate can also issue or help you obtain the birth certificate or a consular report of birth abroad
. In other countries like the U.S. or the U.K., you would contact the vital records office or General Register Office of the place where the birth occurred to request a certified copy of the birth certificate
Summary:
- Switzerland: Civil register office at place of birth; hospital usually registers; cost CHF 30 plus postage; online ordering possible in some cantons.
- Abroad (Swiss citizens): Swiss embassy or consulate.
- Other countries (e.g., U.S., U.K.): Local vital records or General Register Office.
This ensures you get an official birth certificate from the appropriate authority depending on the place of birth
