Please enter your request for a Swiss identity document online (one request per person) and follow the instructions on the website:
Applying for an identity document
If you are resident abroad the processing centre will normally be the Swiss representation at which you are registered. Please contact this centre if you have any problems entering your request online.
Do not forget to provide the following information:
Under the heading “Delivery address”
- If you still need your current identity documents while waiting for the new documents, indicate “processing centre”. You will be contacted for an exchange of identity documents in due course;
- If it is possible to cancel your identity documents at the time of your visit, indicate the address of your domicile or another delivery address so that the new documents can be forwarded directly by post.
Under the heading “Remarks”
- Your preferred dates for making a personal appearance for the capture of your biometric data;
- Mention an alternative processing centre in Switzerland or abroad (i.e. a different Swiss representation abroad or one of the cantonal passport offices), if you wish to make an appointment for the biometric data capture in a place other than the Swiss representation responsible for your place of domicile.
You will receive online acknowledgement of your request.
As soon as your personal data has been verified, an appointment for the capture of your data will be confirmed (usually within a week) and you will be informed what documents to bring and the fees to be paid.
Please note that the personal data contained in Swiss identity documents (family name, first name, date of birth and place of origin) are taken from the Swiss civil status register (Infostar).
Do not hesitate to contact the Swiss representation responsible for your place of residence if you have any questions concerning an ID document requested or an appointment for the capture of biometric data.
FAQs – frequently asked questions about passport or ID applications
The statutory delivery period is 30 days abroad and 10 days in Switzerland.
Once your application is reviewed, you receive an email inviting you to make an appointment to record your biometric data. You must do this in person at the Swiss representation where you are registered or, if you are in Switzerland, at the cantonal passport office.
To record their biometric data, minors must be accompanied by their parent/s or legal guardian/s. A divorced parent with sole legal custody of their child must present an official document to that effect. Where divorced parents have joint legal custody of their child and only one parent is able to attend the appointment, the absent parent must present written authorisation for the issuing of the child’s passport or identity card.
How to apply…
… for the Swiss passport 2010
- Fill in the application on the website of the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police
(www.schweizerpass.ch) - You will receive an e-mail with the link to the website where you can place your order for the
new Swiss identity document. Please fill in all necessary information. - As soon as the application has been approved, applicants will receive an e-mail. Please click
on the link mentioned in this e-mail to make an appointment with the competent Swiss
representation. - Applicants have to appear in person to have their biometric data taken. Please present a valid
Swiss identity document and the exact fee in AED (cash only). - The passport can be collected at the competent Swiss representation 2 to 4 weeks after the
biometric data has been taken.
It is not possible to have the passport delivered by mail to the applicants address.
Special rules for children and minors
For children and minors it is necessary to fill in the passport application on the website of the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police (www.schweizerpass.ch). After having received the approval by e-mail, please make an appointment for your child to have the biometric data taken.
Children and minors have to appear in person to have their biometric data taken. They have to be
accompanied by one of their legal guardians.
Children and minors are asked to sign their application as of the age of 7 and fingerprints will be
taken as of the age of 12.
… for the Swiss identity card
- Fill in the application on the website of the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police
(www.schweizerpass.ch). - You will receive an e-mail with the link on which page you can lace your order for the new
Swiss identity document. Please fill in all necessary information. - As soon as your application has been approved, applicants will receive an e-mail. Please click
on the mentioned link in this e-mail to make an appointment with the competent Swiss
representation. - Applicants have to appear in person at the competent Swiss representation. Please present a
valid Swiss identity document and the exact fee (cash only). - The identity card can be collected at the competent Swiss representation 2 to 4 weeks after
the card has been ordered.
It is not possible to have the identity card delivered by mail to the applicants address.
Special rules for children and minors
For children and minors it is necessary to fill in the application on the website of the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police (www.schweizerpass.ch). After having received the approval by
e-mail, please make an appointment for your child to have the biometric data taken.
Children and minors have to appear in person to have their picture taken. They have to be
accompanied by one of their legal guardians.
… for the Swiss passport 2010 and the identity card
Applicants have the possibility to order the passport 2010 and the identity card at the same time at a reduced price. The instructions are the same as when applying only for the passport.
