In a referendum held on 17 May 2009, the Swiss people gave their assent to the universal introduction of a biometric passport (Passport 10). The Federal Council has decided to begin issuing this new form of travel document from 1 March 2010.

Swiss representations abroad have been provided with the equipment necessary to capture the following biometric data: a photograph of the applicant's face, two fingerprints, and a signature. These data are recorded on a micro-chip incorporated into the passport. The existing machine-readable passports Passport 03 and biometric Passport 06 will remain valid until their expiry date.

1. Processing of requests for new Passports and/or Identity Cards

Obtaining a Passport 10 and an Identity Card (the latter still without micro-chip) is a two-step process involving a passport application and biometric data capture.

2. Passport application

You must submit your Passport 10 and/or Identity Card application to the Swiss representation where you are registered. Your order can be placed using our convenient online service. Please use this address:

 www.schweizerpass.ch (de/fr/it)
go to the section « Sie wollen einen Pass 10 bestellen »
use the link « Füllen Sie dieses Antragsformular Pass 10 und/oder Identitätskarte aus ».

If you do not have an Internet connection, you can apply for your new passport in person or in writing, by calling the telephone number 0030-210-72 30 364/5/6, or by faxing 0030-210-72 49 209.
When you apply for a new Passport 10 you will have the opportunity to order an identity card at the same time at a reduced price, as you could in the past.

3. Biometric data capture

Due to the nature of biometric data capture, all applicants must attend in person. For organizational reasons, however, an appointment must be made. This can be done online via the link which will be sent to you by e-mail after your passport application has been checked and approved for biometric data capture. Alternatively, you can of course make an appointment by telephone. If you would like to have the biometric data capture carried out at a representation other than that at which you are registered, or at a cantonal passport office in Switzerland by way of exception, you can inform your representation of this when you make the appointment.

Minors and applicants in the care of a guardian must be accompanied by their parents (father and mother *) or guardian, who will be required to give their consent by signing the application form. Divorced or unmarried parents must provide proof of custody of the child, and in the case of joint custody, both parents must give their consent.

* If only one parent can accompany the child, the written consent of the other (father or mother), accompanied by a photocopy of his/her passport or identity card, is required.

Further information about the new biometric Passport 10 is available on the website of the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJP at: 
 www.schweizerpass.ch (de/fr/it)

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need any further information.