Birth
Swiss law requires all births to be reported to the register office in the
place of birth. The declaration of birth must be made in person by the child’s
legal father (either the mother’s husband or the man who has recognised the
child as his own or intends to do so), by the mother, by a competent medical
practitioner or by an obstetrician.
Marriage
Persons wishing to marry must contact the competent register office and
produce the required documents (for foreign nationals, these are the residence
certificate and documents from the country of origin indicating birth, sex,
name, parent-child relationship, civil status and nationality). The competent
register office is either that of the place of residence or of the place where
the wedding will be held. Civil weddings are public and are conducted at the
register office in the presence of two witnesses who have reached the age of
majority. After the ceremony, the family record booklet and, if the couple so
wish, the marriage certificate required for a religious ceremony are issued by
the register office.
Homosexual couples have a legal status that is recognised throughout the
country. A registered civil partnership gives them similar protection and
obligations to those of marriage, except, however, for adoption and assisted
procreation rights.
Death
All deaths must be reported to the register office in the place where they
occur. If a person dies at his or her own home, a doctor must be contacted
immediately to certify the death. When reporting a death to the register office,
the following documents must be produced: a death certificate issued by a
doctor, the deceased’s identity document and his or her family record booklet,
individual civil status certificate or family certificate.
Burial or cremation is permitted only after the death has been reported to
the register office. Information on formalities and standard funeral practices
is available from the municipal authority.
Text last edited on: 04/2008
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
Reproduction is authorised.
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