Civil Records for Switzerland citizens in the United States — 2026

Civil records registration means registering births, marriages and deaths that occurred in the United States with the Switzerland authorities. Essential for citizens of Switzerland living abroad whose family events happen in the U.S.

Switzerland consulates processing civil records

What can be registered?

• Birth registration: children of Switzerland parents born in the U.S. can be registered as Switzerland nationals
• Marriage registration: marriages of Switzerland citizens (or mixed marriages) celebrated in the U.S.
• Death registration: death of Switzerland nationals in the U.S.
• Divorce registration: U.S. divorce decrees for those married in Switzerland

Required documents

• Original U.S. vital record (birth/marriage/death certificate)
• Apostille from the Secretary of State of the issuing state
• Certified translation to the official language of Switzerland
• Passport and ID of the Switzerland citizens involved
• Application form completed

How to register

Most Switzerland consulates require an appointment to file civil records. The consulate then forwards the registration to the Switzerland civil registry office.

Some consulates accept mail-in applications for civil records. Check the official site of your consulate.

Costs and processing times

Registration fees: typically free or $10-$50 per record. Processing time at the consulate: 2-4 weeks; final registration in Switzerland can take additional months.