Family: every step in Switzerland

Report the birth to the civil registry office

Deadline: 3 days after the birth

Register your child with a health insurer

Deadline: 3 months after the birth

Submit your application for family allowances through your employer

Deadline: As soon as possible

Tell your employer about your maternity leave (14 weeks)

Deadline: Before the birth

Take your paternity leave (2 weeks, within 6 months)

Deadline: Within 6 months

If you are not married, the father must acknowledge the child at the civil registry office

Deadline: As soon as possible (possible before the birth)

Get your child’s birth certificate from the civil registry office

Submit your marriage application to the civil registry office

Deadline: At least 4 months before the date you want

Gather the documents you need: birth certificate, certificate of single status, identity document

Have a notary draw up a marriage contract if you want a specific matrimonial property regime

Update your official documents if you change your name

Deadline: After the marriage

Update your identity and bank documents after the marriage

Tell your insurers about your change of civil status

Report your marriage to the tax authority for joint taxation

File a joint or unilateral petition with the court

Draw up an agreement settling the effects of the divorce (custody, maintenance, property)

Set the maintenance contributions for the children and/or the spouse

Decide how custody of the children will work (shared or sole)

Request the division of occupational pension assets

Take back your name before marriage if you wish

Update your identity and administrative documents after the divorce

Report the death to the civil registry office

Deadline: 2 days after the death

Get the medical certificate from the doctor

Deadline: Immediately

Contact a funeral service and arrange the funeral

Apply for a certificate of inheritance from the court or a notary

Deadline: After the death

Draw up an inventory of the deceased’s assets and debts

Deadline: As soon as possible

Inform the OASI (AVS) compensation office of the death, for survivors’ pensions

Deadline: As soon as possible

Cancel the deceased’s subscriptions, insurance policies and contracts

Prepare the deceased’s tax return for the current tax period

Submit your adoption application to the competent cantonal authority

A social worker will assess your suitability to adopt

Deadline: After you submit the application

Follow the adoption procedure specific to your canton

Gather all the documents required for the adoption file

Register the adopted child with the civil registry

Register the adopted child with a health insurer

Deadline: 3 months after the adoption

Take your adoption leave (2 weeks)

Deadline: Within one year of the adoption