In Switzerland the registration of births, marriages and deaths is based on various statutory provisions and has a tiered structure (communal / cantonal / federal) with clear areas of competence. The Registry Offices which are located in most communes, hold the following five registers:

• Register of Births
• Register of Deaths
• Register of Marriages
• Acknowledgement of Paternity Register
• Family Register

The Family Register is held in the "commune of origin". Every Swiss national has the citizenship rights of a commune, known as the "place of origin" or "place of citizenship". This is usually the town or village which the family originally came from and descendants always assume the same place of origin, regardless of their place of birth or residence. This registry system enables a family tree to be traced back many years.

The role of the Swiss missions abroad is to report changes in the status of Swiss nationals (birth, marriage, divorce, death) which have taken place abroad to the relevant authorities in Switzerland so that they may be entered in the Family Register. This includes certifying and translating the relevant documents.

Swiss citizens are therefore asked to present the documents mentioned under "Registration Changes in Civil Status" to the relevant Swiss mission.

The original documents are kept by the Registry Office at the place of origin for registration purposes and are retained on a permanent basis.