A standard private extract from the Swiss Register of Criminal Records reveals whether a person has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanour over a certain period of time (the disclosure period); the length of the disclosure period for each conviction depends on the sanction imposed.
It can be requested by a prospective employer, if you are applying for a firearms licence or if you want to become a Swiss citizen, for example.
Each extract costs CHF 17.
If your extract is intended for a foreign authority or embassy (for a visa application for example), you will have to pay an additional 20 francs to have the certificate legalised.
Here you will find information on the procedure for legalising the extract.
There is also a special private extract which only lists convictions that currently place you under a ban
on working in a particular profession or carrying out a particular activity,
on contacting a particular person or persons or
on entering a particular place or area
in order to protect minors or other especially vulnerable persons.
You may only be asked to provide this extract if you are planning to be involved in an organised activity (e.g. as a sports coach or teacher) involving regular contact with minors or other especially vulnerable persons.
The procedure for ordering a special private extract is the same as for a standard private extract. However, the organisation or employer that requires your services must first complete and send you signed confirmation that the activity requires a special private extract.
You will find further information in the Federal Office of Justice FAQs on the standard private extract and the special private extract.