People in Switzerland could soon pay more for a range of civil registry services under new proposals announced by the Federal Council.
The planned changes would affect several official procedures and certificates, including those related to marriage, paternity recognition and family records.
However, authorities say essential services such as registering births and deaths will continue to be provided free of charge.
Civil Registry Offices Handle Key Life Events
Civil registry offices are responsible for documenting major milestones throughout a person’s life, including births, marriages, divorces and deaths.
Whether someone is a Swiss citizen or a foreign resident, these offices issue the official documents required for many legal and administrative processes.
While fees are generally standardised across Switzerland, some charges already vary depending on the canton and the specific registry office handling the request.
Why the Government Wants to Raise Prices
According to the Federal Council, the proposed adjustments are intended to reduce the financial burden on public authorities.
Officials explained that the fees currently collected cover only between 42 and 47 percent of the actual cost of providing civil registry services. By increasing selected charges, the government hopes to raise cost recovery to around 60 percent.
Authorities described the planned increases as moderate and said the changes are designed to better reflect the real expense of delivering these administrative services.
Several Popular Services Face Significant Increases
If approved, a number of frequently requested services will become more expensive.
The administrative process for registering a gender reassignment would increase from 150 Swiss francs to 170 francs.
The fee for acknowledging paternity would more than double, rising from 75 francs to 170 francs.
Couples planning to marry would also face higher costs, with the marriage preparation procedure changing from a minimum fee of 100 francs to a fixed charge of 250 francs.
Meanwhile, the cost of obtaining a family certificate would increase from 40 francs to 50 francs, while certificates confirming registered marital status and certain family records would see their basic fee double from 40 francs to at least 80 francs.
Some Previously Free Services Could Now Require Payment
The proposal also introduces charges for services that have traditionally been provided without cost.
Among them is the review and registration of foreign legal decisions and official documents submitted to Swiss civil registry offices, a process often required by residents with international family or legal matters.
Public Consultation Underway Before Final Decision
The proposed fee changes are not yet law.
Members of the public have until October 15 to review the draft measures and submit their comments as part of the consultation process.
After that stage, the proposal will be considered by both chambers of the Swiss Parliament.
If lawmakers approve the legislation, it could then be submitted to a nationwide referendum, in line with Switzerland’s legislative process for significant legal reforms.
Until those steps are completed, the existing fee structure will remain in place.
