APOSTILLE FOR SWITZERLAND
Apostille Services for Switzerland
Registering a Swiss company or branch, appointing directors, opening a bank account or handling family matters in Switzerland? We notarize, apostille and coordinate translation of your U.S. documents for Swiss registries, banks and civil status offices.
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SWITZERLAND AT A GLANCE
Hague Convention member
Member since March 11, 1973. A single apostille, with no consular legalization.
- Commercial register filings
- Corporate signatures and resolutions
- Banking and family matters
- German, French or Italian translation
How documents for Switzerland work
Documents we prepare for Switzerland
- Certificates of good standing and certified articles of incorporation
- Board resolutions and secretary's certificates
- Notarized signatures of directors and authorized signatories
- Corporate powers of attorney for Swiss counsel and registries
- Birth, marriage and divorce certificates
- Powers of attorney for property, banking and inheritance
- Diplomas and FBI background checks for employment and residence permits
What Switzerland usually requires
| Document | Where the apostille comes from | What else to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Notarized signatures and resolutions | Secretary of the Commonwealth, after notarization | Commercial registers often require certified signatures |
| Certificate of good standing or certified articles | The state of formation, such as Massachusetts or Delaware | Recently issued certificates |
| Birth, marriage or divorce certificate | Secretary of the Commonwealth or the issuing state | Certified translation into the canton's language |
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State | Usually expected to be recent |
| Power of attorney | Secretary of the Commonwealth, after notarization | Ask your Swiss notary or counsel for the wording |
Requirements change and can differ by office, city and purpose. Always confirm the exact requirements with the office receiving your documents. We are glad to review the instructions you received.
Ready to get started?
Tell us what you need, and we will take care of every step.
For life sciences, technology and financial companies
How we handle it
- 1
Share the recipient's requirements
Send us the checklist or email you received from the authority, consulate, employer, attorney or bank. We confirm exactly what each document needs before any work begins.
- 2
We prepare each document
Certified copies, notarization by appointment anywhere in Greater Boston, or retrieval of records you do not yet have, such as Massachusetts vital records.
- 3
Apostilles from the right offices
Massachusetts documents go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, documents from other states to the issuing state, and federal documents, such as FBI background checks, to the U.S. Department of State.
- 4
Translation and delivery
We advise on translation for your receiving office, arrange certified translation where it is accepted, and ship the finished set with tracking.
Translation for Switzerland
Good to know
Commercial registers
Each canton's register publishes its own requirements. Send us the checklist from your Swiss notary or registry.
Certified signatures
Swiss filings often ask for a signature certified by a notary. We notarize it, then the apostille authenticates the notary's signature.
Delaware companies
Delaware documents are apostilled by Delaware. See Delaware Apostilles.
Banking
Swiss banks apply detailed onboarding reviews. See Corporate Bank Accounts Abroad.
Common mistakes we help you avoid
- A state apostille on an FBI check. FBI checks are federal documents and require the U.S. Department of State apostille.
- Photocopies of official records. Vital records must be certified copies from the issuing office.
- Translating before the apostille. Translations often need to include the apostille itself.
- Records from several states. Each record is apostilled by the state that issued it. We coordinate them in one order.
- The wrong translation language. The canton determines whether German, French or Italian is required.
Official sources
- Hague Conference: Apostille Convention status table
- Swiss Civil Status Ordinance (SR 211.112.2)
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: apostilles and certifications
- U.S. Department of State: apostille requirements
Requirements change, and the receiving office always has the final word. We confirm current requirements with every quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does Switzerland accept apostilles?
Yes. Switzerland has applied the Hague Apostille Convention since March 11, 1973.
Which language do my documents need?
It depends on the canton: German, French or Italian. Some offices accept English at their discretion.
Can you certify signatures for a Swiss commercial register filing?
Yes. We notarize the signatures in Massachusetts, and the Secretary of the Commonwealth apostilles them for use in Switzerland.
Can you come to our office for several directors?
Yes. We notarize every signer in one visit anywhere in Greater Boston.
Related guide: Certified German Translation.
Sending documents to Switzerland?
Send us the checklist from your Swiss notary, registry or bank, and we will prepare every document to match.