Whether you are getting married, or obtaining a birth certificate for a child born in Switzerland, you will likely pay more for these documents in the future.
Whether you are a Swiss citizen or foreign resident, chances are great that sooner or later – especially if you live in Switzerland for a long time – you will have dealings with a civil registry office in your municipailty.
Known as Zivilstandsamt in German, Office de l’état civil in French, and Ufficio dello stato civile in Italian, this official government body is responsible for recording and issuing certificates for all the vital life events, such as births, marriages, divorces, and deaths.
And for most of these you have to pay.
Though the general fee structure is standardised across the country – for instance, 300 to 500 francs for a marriage certificate and ceremony, and 30 francs for a birth certificate – prices can differ from one canton and registry office to another.
But these costs could go up.
On June 24th, the Federal Council announced that it intends “to raise moderately” several of the fees , though services such as registering births and deaths will remain free of charge.
The reason for the price increase is that civil registry offices are currently operating at a cost-covering rate.
According to the government’s explanatory report, fees currently cover only 42 to 47 percent of the costs incurred. The revised ordinance is therefore intended to bring the cantons closer to a 60.percent cost coverage.
Which services could cost more?
Administrative procedures for registering gender reassignments will increase from 150 to 170 francs.
Acknowledgment of paternity will no longer cost 75 francs, but will go to 170 francs.
The marriage preparation procedure will increase from a minimum of 100 francs to a flat fee of 250 francs, and the family certificate from 40 to 50 francs.
For the certificate of registered marital status and the family certificate, the basic fee will double from 40 to at least 80 francs.
Also, certain services which are currently provided free of charge, will be subject to a fee in the future.
They include, for instance, the review and registration of foreign decisions or documents by the civil registry office.
When will these higher costs go into effect?
The public has until October 15th to review the changes and offer their opinions.
Then the proposal will make its way to the legislature, to be debated by both chambers of the Parliament.
If a corresponding bill is drafted, it will, as is normally the case when the change of current legislation is at stake, go to a referendum.
