The adoption of your child abroad must be entered into the various Swiss registers, whether or not it has taken place within or outside of the framework of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption (1993 Hague Convention). This updating of the registers is free of charge.

Federal Office of Justice – What is the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption (1993 Hague Convention)? (de, fr, it)

As a rule, you must submit the following adoption documents to your Swiss representation with any necessary legalisations so that the representation can forward them to Switzerland:

• original birth certificate of the child before adoption
• original adoption decision mentioning the place where it was granted (if possible with a statement of enforceability)
• original birth certificate of the child after adoption
• if applicable, original certificate confirming that the child was adopted in accordance with the provisions of the 1993 Hague Convention within the meaning of Article 23 (Certificate of Conformity of Intercountry Adoption)

Generally speaking, it is not possible for Swiss citizens to adopt a child in China. China has agreements on inter-country adoption with 17 countries but Switzerland is not among them. Furthermore, China has declined an attempt from the Swiss government to establish such an agreement in 2006.

However, a Swiss citizen may qualify as adoptive parent if one of the following criteria is met: 

• Adoption of a relative with Chinese roots (e.g. niece, nephew). The degree of kinship has to exist.
• Adoption of a stepchild (wife/husband must possess the Chinese nationality).
• If a Swiss citizen is also a citizen of one of the countries with whom China has an agreement on inter-country adoption, he/she can adopt a child based on that nationality. The adoption would occur according to that country’s law and Switzerland thereafter recognizes the adoption based on to the private international law.

In case of an adoption in China please contact the competent Swiss representation in your consular district. We will provide you with the necessary information on how to proceed with the registration of the adoption in the civil status register of Switzerland. 

Report the adoption of your child online:

Online desk

Information on Swiss citizenship is available at 

Citizenship  

Are your children Swiss or can they become Swiss? (PDF, 2 Pages, 321.2 kB, English)

A standard Swiss identity document can only be issued if the child's adoption has been entered in the Swiss civil status register, and if the adopted child's Swiss nationality has been confirmed by the civil status authority concerned. In case of emergency, please contact your Swiss representation.

Applying for an identity document

If your child does not yet have a Swiss passport, a visa may be required to enter Switzerland. 

Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

For a residence permit for your child's stays abroad, please contact the appropriate foreign authorities.