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, in the case of parents who are unmarried, divorced or living at separate addresses, the parent applying for the identity document must also provide a signed power of attorney from 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.

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 at the same time as the biometric data. Some cantons allow you to bring them your facial photograph on a memory stick. (Art. 12, No. 1 of the Ordinance of the FDJP on identity documents for Swiss citizens – webpage available in German, French and Italian).

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

Passports and identity cards are valid for 10 years for adults and for 5 years for children and adolescents under the age of 18.

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, such as the United States, 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.

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

If you lose your passport or identity card or if they are stolen, whether in Switzerland or abroad, you need to follow the instructions on the following page: Lost or stolen passport or identity card.

Foreign nationals interested in obtaining a Swiss passport need to follow the steps on the page on naturalisation.