Applying for a Swiss biometric passport or ID card

Where to a apply for an identity document

Online

You can apply for a passport and/or identity card online. The following link will walk you through the process: Applying for a passport and/or identity card online.

At your cantonal passport office

You can order a passport and/or identity card in person at your cantonal passport office or by contacting the office by phone.

If you only need an identity card, it is possible in some cantons, to order one at your commune of residence.

You should receive the documents within 10 working days.

At a Swiss embassy or consulate

Swiss citizens living abroad can either apply for a passport or identity card online or call the Swiss consulate or embassy in the country where they are staying
You should receive the documents within 30 working days.

Identify documents for your children

From the day your children are born, you can apply for a passport and/or identity card for them.

You cannot, however, simply have their names added to your own identity document.

Please note: where the parents of a child are not married, a note may be added to one of the parents’ passports to say he or she has parental authority.

Please note

You can only apply for an identity document for your child if you have parental authority.
If both parents have parental authority, the signature of one of the parents is sufficient to apply for an identity document.
However, if joint parental authority is difficult to prove (e.g. if the parents live at two different addresses), you will also have to provide the consent of the other parent.
Children aged seven and older are required to sign their identity document.
Children aged 12 and older are required to provide digital fingerprints for their biometric passport.
Once your children turn 18, they have to apply for their own identity documents.

Biometric data and photographs

Applicants for identity documents must provide biometric data (data stored on a microchip including a facial photograph and signature – and fingerprints for passports – which are protected from abuse) to the cantonal authorities or a Swiss representation abroad.

The photograph is generally taken when the biometric data is recorded. However, some cantons allow you to use your own photograph. In such cases the photograph must meet specific requirements: contact your cantonal authority for full details.

If you apply for an identity card from your commune , you must provide a facial photograph that complies with specific rules:

Validity

Expired identity and travel documents

Renewing your passport or identity card

Once your passport or identity card has expired, you have to apply for new documents.

Travelling with valid or expired documents

As a general rule, you must carry your valid identity documents with you when you travel. Find out in advance about entry conditions at the representation of your destination country in Switzerland or at the Swiss representation abroad.

Some countries require you to have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date on which you plan to leave the USA.

Other countries allow you to travel for a limited period of time even after your passport or identity card has expired.

Some countries, including the USA, China and Australia, require you to apply for a visa before you travel there.

Temporary passport

In cases of genuine urgency, you can apply for a temporary passport at your cantonal passport office or at a Swiss embassy or consulate in the country where you are located .

Please note:

Unlike a normal passport, a temporary passport is not biometric and does not contain a microchip with your fingerprints and photograph. It may therefore not be accepted in all countries: foreign representations in Switzerland provide information about the entry requirements in their countries

A temporary passport is valid for a maximum of 12 months.

Prices

	Identity Card	Passport	Combined offer	Temporary passport	Temporary passport if issued at the airport
Adults	65.- CHF + 5.- CHF postage	140.- CHF + 5.- CHF postage	148.- CHF + 10.- CHF postage	A minimum of 100.- CHF	A minimum of 150.- CHF
Children and minors up to 18	30.- CHF + 5.- CHF postage	60.- CHF + 5.- CHF postage	68.- CHF + 10.- CHF postage	A minimum of 100.- CHF	A minimum of 150.- CHF

The prices of identity documents issued abroad are the same as above but are converted into the local currency.

Lost or stolen passport

Swiss passport for foreign nationals

Search

Applying for a passport or an identity card