What information does a special private extract contain?
A special private extract contains convictions in which a sentence has been imposed involving a ban on practising a particular profession, a ban on carrying out certain activities, a ban on contact with certain persons, or a ban prohibiting the offender from visiting certain locations, where the bans have been issued for the purpose of protecting minors, other particularly vulnerable persons, or patients in the healthcare sector.
What does a special private extract look like?
A special private extract from the Register of Criminal Records is available in two formats:
During the ordering process, you will be asked to choose a main language (German, French or Italian) and an optional additional language (German, French, Italian or English).
In extracts with convictions, the content only appears in the main language, only the standard headings appear in the additional language.
When does a conviction no longer appear in a special private extract?
A conviction will appear in a special private extract for as long as a ban on practising a particular profession, a ban on carry out certain activities, a ban prohibiting contact with certain persons, or a ban prohibiting the offender from visiting certain locations, imposed for the purpose of protecting minors or other particularly vulnerable persons or patients in the healthcare sector, remains in force.
The rules on how long convictions must be shown on a standard private extract are found in Article 42 CRRA.
What can I do if the special private extract contains errors or I don’t agree with its content?
In spite of all the care taken, errors do occur in extremely rare situations. In this event, we would kindly ask you to return the special private extract along with a copy of an official document certifying your identity, such as a passport, identity card or residence permit and a note explaining what, in your opinion, is not correct. Please send these to the following address:
Federal Office of Justice
Register of Criminal Records
Bundesrain 20
3003 Bern
(Switzerland)
Why might I need a special private extract?
A special private extract is required for persons who carry out a professional or non-work-related organised activity that involves regular contact with minors or other particularly vulnerable persons, or direct contact with patients in a healthcare setting.
Does a special private extract from criminal records need an apostille or legalisation?
Legalisation or an apostille is usually necessary if the special private extract is required by a foreign authority or consulate (e.g. for a visa or in adoption proceedings). Please enquire in advance as to whether legalisation or an apostille is required.
We can arrange for the criminal records extract to be legalised for you by the Federal Chancellery at an additional charge of CHF 20 for each extract. In this case, your order will take longer to process.
Questions about ordering a special excerpt
How do I order a special private extract?
Three steps are required:
1st step:
You will need your employer's confirmation (or confirmation from the organisation or licensing authority) stating that a professional or non-work-related organised activity involving regular contact with minors or other particularly vulnerable persons or direct contact with patients in a healthcare setting is to take place.
2nd step:
The employer (or the organisation or licensing authority) issues the signed confirmation (official document) to you. A code will automatically be provided with this confirmation. You will need this code to order the special private extract.
3rd step: You have two options for ordering the special private extract:
(a)
(a) You can order the special private extract online:
Enter your data according to the instructions on the website.
You must print out the form, sign it, and post it to us along with the employer's confirmation and a copy of your ID document. This is essential, as you must prove your identity by means of your signature on the form and the attached copy of your identity document. This ensures that nobody else is able to obtain a special private extract relating to you.
(b)
You can order the special private extract over the counter at Swiss post office. To do this, you must go in person to a Swiss post office and present the duly completed and signed employer's confirmation and a valid ID document (passport, ID card, or foreign national's ID card). You have to pay immediately, over the counter.
What is the employer's confirmation and why do I need it?
The employer (or the organisation or licensing authority) issues the confirmation to you as the employee, stating that a professional or non-work-related organised activity involving regular contact with minors or other particularly vulnerable persons, or direct contact with patients in a healthcare setting is to take place. A code will automatically be provided with this confirmation. You will need this code to order the special private extract. Unless you have this confirmation, you cannot order a special private extract relating to yourself.
A special private extract costs CHF 17. If you want the extract to be legalised, the charge for legalisation is an additional CHF 20.
How can I pay?
You can pay online with a debit card, credit card, PostFinance card or TWINT, or over the counter in cash or by card if you order the extract at a post office.
I’m not sure if my online payment has been accepted.
If the online payment process has been interrupted, the payment will not be transferred. Please follow the instructions given in the error message on your screen.
The printable order form is only generated after the payment has been made successfully. In order to complete the order, proceed as follows:
In the heading bar, you will see the transaction number (TAN). This number is used to identify and reproduce your data.
Federal Office of Justice
Register of Criminal Records
Service for Private Individuals
Bundesrain 20
3003 Bern
(Switzerland)
Who can order a special private extract?
You are the only person who can an extract relating to yourself, provided you need the extract in order to carry out a professional or non-work-related organised activity involving regular contact with minors, other particularly vulnerable persons or direct contact with patients in a healthcare setting.
I’ve completed the order, but still have not received my special private extract.
It takes about two weeks to process your request after you have posted the signed form. If you still have not received the criminal records extract requested after this time, check whether you have posted all the documents (copy of your ID document) properly signed to the correct address.
Please contact us only after you have made sure that you have complied with all the requirements:
Federal Office of Justice
Register of Criminal Records
Service for Private Individuals
Bundesrain 20
3003 Bern
(Switzerland)
I cannot view or print the completed form
You must install suitable software to view and print the form as a PDF document. For example, download and install AcrobatReader free of charge (you will be required to re-start your computer).
Please note: if you have not saved the form or if you interrupted the order procedure by closing the browser, you will have to repeat the order procedure.
If you have completed the online payment but have been unable to print or save the form, please contact:
