Swiss criminal record extract (extrait du casier judiciaire)
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How to order your Swiss criminal record extract from the Federal Office of Justice (OFJ), what it costs, how long it takes, and when you need the special extract for work with children. Looking for a job first? See Finding a student job.
Key facts
- Two types: the standard extract for private individuals, and a special extract for activities with regular contact with minors or other particularly vulnerable people. If you need both, you make two requests (OFJ, Extraits du casier judiciaire).
- Cost: CHF 17 per extract, for either type (OFJ, standard extract; OFJ, special extract).
- Legalisation for use abroad: CHF 20 extra per extract, done by the OFJ through the Federal Chancellery (same pages). The CHF 17 fee per extract and the surcharges (CHF 5 for registered post, CHF 40 for courier abroad, plus the legalisation fee) are set in the Criminal Records Ordinance, OCJ art. 54.
- Delivery: about two working weeks from the moment you hand the signed form to the post (OFJ FAQ, standard extract (in German)).
- Only your own record: you can order an extract only for yourself (OFJ).
1. Which extract do you need?
- Standard extract (extrait destiné aux particuliers): can be requested for any purpose, for example a job application or a naturalisation. It shows judgments for crimes and misdemeanours against adults until the legal time limits expire (OFJ).
- Special extract (extrait spécial destiné aux particuliers): for an activity involving regular contact with minors or other particularly vulnerable people, for example coaching children in a sports club, working in a crèche, or working in a home for people with disabilities. It shows only judgments with a ban on a profession or activity, or a contact or geographical ban, ordered to protect these people (OFJ).
- The special extract needs a written, signed confirmation from the employer (attestation de l'employeur). The employer prints the official form and sends it to you signed (OFJ, employer confirmation).
2. When students need one
The OFJ names job applications, visa applications and naturalisation applications as typical reasons (OFJ FAQ (in German)). For students this often means:
- a job or internship where the employer asks for it; tutoring, babysitting or sports coaching with children may need the special extract;
- a visa for your next country, a study exchange or a job abroad. Ask the foreign authority first whether it needs legalisation or an apostille (OFJ FAQ).
To verify: which student jobs in Vaud routinely require an extract; this depends on the employer.
3. How to order
Online (OFJ):
- Enter your personal details, address, request and payment online. Payment: debit card, credit card, PostFinance card or TWINT.
- Print and sign the form.
- Post the form with a copy of your ID (for the special extract, also the employer confirmation).
You sign and include the ID copy so that nobody else can order an extract about you (OFJ FAQ).
At a post office counter (OFJ FAQ (in German)): go in person with a valid ID (passport, identity card or foreign national's permit) and pay on the spot. For the special extract, also bring the completed and signed employer confirmation (OFJ FAQ, special extract (in German)).
Paper or digital: the extract comes on special paper by post, or as a digitally sealed PDF. A digital link stays valid for at most 60 days, and digitally signed extracts cannot be legalised (OFJ FAQ; OFJ order pages).
4. Timing and problems
- Processing takes about two working weeks from the moment the signed form reaches the post (OFJ FAQ).
- When demand is very high, delivery can take longer; the OFJ home page currently warns that the delay can reach two weeks (OFJ).
- If nothing arrives after that time, first check that you posted the signed form and the ID copy. Then contact the Swiss criminal record service: strafregister@bj.admin.ch, helpline +41 58 465 01 98 (Mon, Thu, Fri 09:30 to 10:30; Tue, Wed 14:00 to 15:00) (OFJ FAQ).
- If you think an entry is wrong, send the extract back with a copy of an official ID and a note on what is wrong, to: Federal Office of Justice, Swiss Criminal Records, Bundesrain 20, 3003 Bern (OFJ FAQ).
5. A record from your home country
A foreign employer, university or visa office may also want a criminal record from your country of origin. Swiss authorities do not issue it. Ask your country's consulate or embassy: see Register with your consulate. For legalising or translating documents, see Apostille, legalisation and translation.