How to get a certificate of residence in Switzerland

The certificate of residence (attestation de domicile) is an official document confirming that you are registered as a resident of a Swiss municipality, at a given address and since a certain date. It is issued by the residents' registration office (contrôle des habitants, sometimes called office de la population or bureau des étrangers depending on the municipality) of the municipality where you live, that is, where you registered when you arrived.

This document is requested for many procedures. A bank may require it to open an account or update your details, an employer to complete your file, and a school or nursery to check that your child really lives in the right catchment area. You may also be asked for it to register a vehicle, sign certain contracts, apply for a grant, or deal with an authority in another canton or abroad. Each time, check whether the organisation accepts a copy or requires a recent original: many ask for a certificate less than three or six months old.

There are several ways to order it. The simplest is often the counter of the residents' registration office, where the document is usually handed over on the spot after you show an identity document. Many municipalities also offer a virtual counter or online services: you fill in a form, pay by card or on invoice, and receive the certificate by post or sometimes as an electronically signed PDF. Finally, you can apply by post everywhere, which works well if you cannot go in person.

For a written request, state your full name, date of birth, current address, the reason for the request and the number of copies you need. Enclose a copy of your identity document or residence permit, as the municipality must make sure the request really comes from the person concerned. If you are requesting the certificate for someone else, a signed power of attorney is usually required. Stating the purpose of the request also helps the office choose the right type of document.

The fee varies from one municipality to another and sometimes depends on the type of document or the delivery method. The exact amount is usually shown on the municipality's website or can be obtained by phone. Some municipalities ask for payment in advance for postal orders, while others enclose an invoice or a payment slip.

Be careful not to confuse the different documents. The certificate of residence simply confirms your address. The certificate of establishment (attestation d'établissement), mainly used for Swiss citizens, confirms that your main residence is in the municipality and that your certificate of origin (acte d'origine) is lodged there; for a secondary stay, for example staying during the week for studies or work, it is instead called a certificate of stay (attestation de séjour). The tax residence certificate (certificat de résidence fiscale) is not issued by the municipality but by the cantonal tax administration, in particular to claim the benefit of a double taxation agreement. Finally, the housing certificate (attestation de logement) drawn up by a landlord or host, confirming that you live with them, is mainly used to register with the residents' registration office; it does not replace the official certificate.

If you have just moved, first make sure your arrival registration has been recorded, otherwise the municipality will not be able to issue a certificate for your new address. In many cantons, you can register online via eDéménagementCH.

SwissDoc helps you write, in just a few minutes, a request for a certificate of residence addressed to your municipality's residents' registration office. Your first three documents are free, no credit card required.