What information does an excerpt from criminal records for individual persons contain?
The excerpt for individuals contains convictions for indictable and summary offences committed by adults; convictions for misdemeanours committed by adults only appear in the excerpt for individuals if they include a judgment prohibiting certain activities from being undertaken, a judgment prohibiting contact, or a judgment prohibiting the individual from visiting certain locations in accordance with Article 67 or 67(b) of the Swiss Criminal Code, Article 50 or 50(b) of the Swiss Military Criminal Code or Article 16(a) of the Swiss Juvenile Criminal Code.
Convictions relating to juveniles are only recorded in the criminal records register where they involve specific penalties (imprisonment, detention, probation, judgments imposing a ban prohibiting the exercising of a profession, judgments prohibiting certain activities from being undertaken, judgments prohibiting contact, and judgments prohibiting the individual from visiting certain locations). These few convictions relating to juveniles will then only appear in the excerpt for individuals if these individuals commit further crimes as an adult.
Prior to 01/01/2015, the excerpt for individuals was known as the "criminal records excerpt for private individuals"; its function remains unchanged.
What does an excerpt from criminal records look like?
A standard private extract is available in two formats:
Excerpts containing a conviction will be sent either in German, French or Italian. Excerpts without a conviction appear in German, French,
Italian and English.
When is an entry in the criminal record for individual persons definitively erased?
The rules on how long convictions must be shown on a standard private extract are found in Articles 41 and 40 CRRA.
What can I do if the criminal records excerpt has errors or I don’t agree with the contents?
In spite of all the care taken, mistakes do happen in extremely rare situations. In this case we kindly ask you to return the criminal records excerpt along with a copy of an official document certifying your identity, such as a passport, identity card (front and back), or residence permit and a note explaining what, in your opinion, is not correct. Send these to the following address:
Federal Office of Justice
Swiss Criminal Records Section
Bundesrain 20
3003 Berne
(Switzerland)
Why would I need a criminal records excerpt?
An excerpt from criminal records may be required for example when applying for a position, seeking permission to carry a weapon or requesting naturalisation.
Must the criminal records excerpt be attested?
An attestation is usually necessary if the criminal records excerpt is required by a foreign authority or consulate (e.g. for a visa or adoption). Please enquire in advance if an attestation is required.
We can have the criminal records excerpt authenticated for you by the Federal Chancellery at an additional charge of CHF 20. In this case, your order will take longer to process.
Questions about ordering a criminal records excerpt
How much does it cost to get a criminal records excerpt?
A single criminal records excerpt costs CHF 17. If the same person requests several excerpts, the charge is CHF 17.- per copy.
If you want a certification, the charge for the certification is an additional CHF 20.
Who can order an excerpt for individuals?
Each person may order an excerpt relating to him/herself (a copy of the identification document and a signature are required).
In the event that another individual (e.g. your employer) requires an excerpt for individuals relating to you, and you are in agreement with this, you can provide a "delivery address" when you place your order.
I’ve completed the order, but still haven’t received my criminal records excerpt.
It takes about ten working days to process your request after you have mailed the signed form. If after the end of this time you have not received the criminal records excerpt requested, check whether you have mailed all documents (copy of your identification) properly signed to the appropriate address (Schweizerisches Strafregister).
Please only write or call us after you have made sure that you have complied with all requirements:
Federal Office of Justice
Swiss Criminal Records Section
Service for Private Individuals
Bundesrain 20
3003 Berne
(Switzerland)
You must install Acrobat Reader to view and print the form as a PDF document. Download and install Acrobat Reader 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 completed online payment but couldn't print or save the form, please contact:
Federal Office of Justice
Swiss Criminal Records Section
Service for Private Individuals
Bundesrain 20
3003 Berne
(Switzerland)
