📄 Criminal record extract

Apostille for a Swiss criminal record extract

Foreign employers, universities and registries routinely ask for an apostilled criminal record extract. Here is exactly how it works for this document — and how we take the whole errand off your hands.

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Where this document comes from — and which chancellery

This is one of the few Swiss documents that is federal, not cantonal. The extract comes from the Federal Office of Justice, and its apostille is affixed by the Federal Chancellery in Bern — no canton is involved at any stage. Select “Federal document” when ordering and we file directly at that counter.

Original or certified copy?

Neither leaves your hands: a notary establishes a certified true copy from your uploaded PDF or photo, and the apostille is affixed to that copy — included in the price. If a destination exceptionally insists on the apostilled original, tell us and we organise it by registered mail.

Translation often required

An apostille authenticates, it does not translate. If the receiving authority also wants a certified translation of your criminal record extract, mention it in the order notes — our partner network delivers both together.

The mistake that gets files refused

Ordering the wrong kind of extract. Switzerland issues an ordinary private extract and a special extract used for roles involving minors or dependent adults. They are not interchangeable, and an employer asking for one will not accept the other. Read the request carefully before you order.

Frequently asked questions

How recent does the extract have to be?
The apostille itself sets no limit, but most employers and consulates want an extract issued within the last three months. If your extract is older, it is usually cheaper to order a fresh one than to argue the point at the far end.
Which countries accept an apostilled criminal record extract?
All 130 Hague Convention Contracting Parties — from Germany to Brazil to China. For non-members (UAE, Qatar, Egypt…), the consular chain replaces the apostille; order normally and we quote the embassy stage first.
How long for a criminal record extract?
Standard 1–2 business days from receipt, mostly the chancellery’s own turnaround. Same-day express doubles the service price and jumps every queue.
CHF 140 — Apostille — 1st document · CHF 120 — Apostille — from 2 documents · Prices →

Apostille for other documents

DiplomaBirth certificateMarriage certificateCommercial register extractPower of attorneyDivorce judgmentCertificate of civil statusNotarised documentSworn translationCertificate of residence

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