A digital criminal record extract is a PDF document protected by an electronic seal. This seal ensures the document’s origin, validity, and integrity. Any alterations made after its issuance are immediately detectable. The electronic seal is applied in accordance with the Swiss Signature Act (Art. 2 ZertES).

Yes, the paper extract and the digitally signed electronic extract are fully equivalent and legally recognized. The digital version is a PDF document with an electronic seal that ensures the origin, validity, and integrity of the document. This means that any subsequent modifications are immediately detected during verification. The seal is applied in accordance with the Swiss Signature Act (Art. 2 ZertES). You can verify the extract at any time via www.validator.ch. A detailed guide will be sent to you along with your criminal record extract via email.

Security is our top priority. FMSB GmbH, the company behind the ExcerptsService.ch brand, operates its servers exclusively in Switzerland. This ensures that your data is processed and protected according to the highest Swiss data protection and security standards.

Entries in the VOSTRA criminal record information system are automatically deleted after legally defined periods to balance public safety with the rehabilitation rights of individuals. These timeframes depend on two main factors:

• Severity of the Sanction: The most severe sanction in a judgment determines the base period. Severe penalties, such as life imprisonment or institutional measures, remain visible for longer, while minor penalties, such as fines, have shorter timeframes. Depending on the type and severity of the measure, the period can range from 8 to 25 years.
• Additional Judgments: If multiple judgments are registered, the entry remains in the system until the longest period has expired. This ensures that the complete entry stays visible until all judgments can be removed.

For more detailed information, please consult: Information on Record Retention Periods.

A criminal record extract may be required for various purposes, including:

• Job applications: Many employers require a private extract to ensure that potential employees have no relevant criminal records.
• Visa issuance: A criminal record extract is often required by embassies and consulates when applying for a visa.
• Naturalization applications: Authorities typically require a criminal record extract to assess the applicant's eligibility for citizenship.
• Rental agreements: Some landlords request a criminal record extract before renting out an apartment.
• Volunteering: Organizations often require proof of a clean record, especially for activities involving vulnerable groups.

At ExcerptsService.ch, you benefit from a fast, secure, and eco-friendly process to obtain your criminal record extract, entirely online. The process is user-friendly, allowing you to input your data conveniently from your PC, tablet, or smartphone without the need for office visits, postal mail, or unnecessary paper prints. This not only saves you time but also actively contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions.

Criminal-records-excerpt.ch is a brand of FMSB GmbH and not an official criminal record office. As FMSB GmbH, based at Sihleggstrasse 23, 8832 Wollerau, our mission is to significantly simplify the process of obtaining criminal record extracts. With us, there's no need to visit the post office, print forms, or submit them manually. With ExcerptsService.ch, you save valuable time and complete the entire process online – quickly, securely, and efficiently.

Get your criminal record extract in a few simple steps, conveniently online from your PC or phone:

1. Upload your document: Upload your ID or passport.
2. Enter your personal details: Fill in your personal information.
3. Sign electronically: Sign directly online – no need to print documents or visit the post office.

The duration for how long a judgment remains visible in the private criminal record extract depends on several factors. These periods are generally shorter in the private extract than in the official extract to encourage reintegration. The exact periods are determined as follows:

• Severity of the sanction: The most severe sanction in the judgment sets the base period for visibility. More serious sanctions, such as long prison sentences or inpatient measures, keep the judgment visible for a longer time. Lighter penalties, like fines, have shorter periods.
• Additional measures: Activity, contact, and exclusion orders or expulsion from the country may extend the period. In these cases, the minimum duration of such measures is compared with the base period. The longer period determines how long the judgment remains visible in the private extract.
• Calculation of the intermediate period: The base period and, if applicable, any additional minimum periods result in the so-called "intermediate period." This intermediate period ensures that only the longest period serves as the basis for non-appearance in the private extract.
• Multiple judgments: If there are multiple judgments, the intermediate period of the longest judgment is used. If a new judgment with a longer period is added, this period may extend the existing one to make repeated offenses visible. However, this extension is only possible up to a certain maximum.

Thus, for each judgment in the private extract, a period is calculated based on the severity of the sanction, additional measures, and if applicable, the existence of further judgments.

Immediately after placing your order, you will receive an order confirmation and your order number via email. The criminal record extract will be sent to you within 5 to 7 business days, along with a download link. You can also track the status of your order at any time.

Important information from the FDJP
Due to the currently very high demand for excerpt from criminal records, delivery times will be extended accordingly. We thank you for your understanding.

• Official fees 17.-
• The remaining amount is used for:
• Postage & shipping to the DFJP
• Envelope, printing & paper
• Expenses for transaction fees
• Payment provider fees
• VAT
• General costs to operate this service (technical maintenance, staff, etc.)

We do not store your criminal record extract. It is stored for 60 days by the competent authority. During this time, you can download it via a download link on our website.

A criminal record extract is an official document listing all final convictions of a person. It is often required for job applications, naturalizations, or official purposes to check criminal history.

An extract from the criminal record costs CHF 17. If a legalization or apostille is also required for abroad, additional fees will be charged.

A valid ID (passport or identity card) and your signature are required.

Visit the official portal of the Federal Office of Justice. Fill out the online form there, print it out, sign it and send it in with a copy of your ID. Alternatively, the statement can be ordered completely electronically with a qualified signature.
Alternative via ExcerptsService.ch - advantages at a glance:
ExcerptsService.ch offers fully digital processing without printouts or postal delivery. The order can be placed conveniently from a smartphone or computer, is fast and legally compliant. The statement is electronically signed and verifiable, and all data is stored on Swiss servers. Server in Switzerland: Your data is stored and processed locally in accordance with comprehensive data protection standards.

You can order the extract online or apply for it via a Swiss representation abroad. An international address and, if necessary, an apostille are also required for sending abroad.

Yes, but only serious traffic offenses such as driving under the influence of alcohol, gross speeding or repeatedly driving without a license.

Yes, in Switzerland it is called a "criminal record extract", in Germany, for example, it is called a "certificate of good conduct". The purpose is identical.

The criminal record extract contains criminal convictions for felonies and misdemeanours that have not yet been deleted. These include, for example, convictions for theft, bodily harm, fraud or serious traffic offences.

Minor offences (e.g. parking fines or small administrative penalties) are usually not listed unless a special sanction was imposed – such as a ban from a profession or expulsion from the country.

The extract includes:

-Type of offence
-Date of the judgement
-Name of the court
-Penalty or measure imposed

Deletion periods vary depending on the severity and number of convictions – between 2 and 25 years. Entries are deleted automatically once the period has expired.

The extract from the criminal register documents criminal convictions. The debt collection register extract, on the other hand, shows financial debts and debt collection proceedings.

Yes, under certain conditions. This is possible if the offense is also punishable under Swiss law and there is an exchange of information with other countries.

Juvenile convictions only appear in an adult's private extract if later convictions are added. Otherwise they remain invisible in the extract.

It is required for activities involving regular contact with minors, e.g. in sports, schools or childcare facilities.

A special private extract only contains relevant convictions with activity, contact or area bans for the protection of minors or vulnerable persons.

In addition to the normal application, written proof from the employer or association that the extract is necessary for a corresponding activity is required.

No. Early deletion upon request is not provided for by law. The deletion deadlines are binding.

Deletion takes place automatically after the statutory periods have expired. Entries in the private extract usually disappear earlier, e.g. after the probation period has expired.

The retention periods in the Swiss criminal register depend on the severity of the sentence (according to StReG, valid since 23 January 2023):

Visible in the private extract (for employers):

• Fines with probation: 2 years
• Suspended sentences with probation: 2–3 years
• Fines/community service: approx. 6–7 years
• Prison sentences: 6–17 years (depending on duration)
• Serious offences: life imprisonment

Complete deletion from the system:

• Fines: 10 years
• Fines: 15 years
• Prison sentences under 1 year: 15 years
• Prison sentences 1–5 years: 20 years
• Prison sentences over 5 years: 25 years
• Expulsion from the country: until death
• Particularly serious offences (e.g. murder): life imprisonment

Entries are automatically deleted after the expiry of the periods. Important: An entry may no longer appear in the private extract, but it remains visible to authorities.

You can find more information here: https://www.e-service.admin.ch/crex/cms/content/doc/Fristeninformationen_d.pdf

Especially in security-relevant or trust-sensitive professions such as in the financial sector, public authorities or the healthcare sector.

Only if the activity justifies this. The principle of proportionality applies. Without a factual reference, the claim is inadmissible.

In Switzerland, a criminal record extract is required for various official or personal purposes. These include:

-Job applications in sensitive sectors (e.g. care, finance, administration)
-Residence or visa applications for certain countries
-Naturalisation procedures
-Volunteer work involving vulnerable persons
-Occasionally also requested by landlords

For job applications, many employers require that the extract is not older than 3 months. This ensures the information is current and valid. It is therefore recommended to renew the extract in time if it will be used multiple times.

Only authorities with a legal mandate. Private individuals are only granted access via the person concerned - e.g. by voluntarily submitting the extract.