Ordinary Naturalisation in Switzerland

Thank you!
Yes I called them back in April and the other day, they only gave me the standard times both time although have promised me the baby will be included (more-or-less) automatically if it comes to it. They don’t seem unduly bothered about the possibility of her spending her first few months without a nationality sadly.

How can your child be stateless? You have your own nationality I assume? So she gets whatever you have now.

I can imagine that scenario happening with our son before he got his Swiss nationality.

He is British by virtue of both his parents being British but as he was born outside the UK he is unable to pass that citizenship on to his future children unless he is living in the uk at the time. (Or has lived for a certain amount of time in the Uzk during his life I think)
If he were to marry a girl in the same position as him then neither of them would be in a position to pass on their citizenship and their children would effectively be stateless.

In reality they would be able to make a good case for the child to get Uk citizenship but it would be an onerous and time consuming task.

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Obviously stay on top of the authorities but there are treaties preventing statelessness where possible, which Switzerland has signed onto. I think as long as you’ve conveyed the situation to the authorities, they will do their best to accommodate your situation in time. It is right for you to be concerned but it’s not yet time to panic.

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Congratulations! Did you get to keep your C Ausweis, sort of as a souvenir while you get your Swiss ID/Passport?

I do not need soon a Swiss ID, so I will not issue one.

I don’t see why you would do this. Once you become Swiss, your C permit is no longer valid. So you need some sort of proof you’re here legally. Being Swiss and having a Swiss ID fits that bill. Also, the authorities might scratch their heads as to why someone would go to the trouble to become Swiss but refuse to get an ID.

You’ll find you need it for all sorts of things. And certainly if you leave the country at all.

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In Switzerland there is no law or obligation for Swiss citizens to have an ID or Passport issued. They make it clear on the passport site. (For foreigners, it is legally required to have documents/permit)

However this only applies if someone remains in Swiss territory, and when dealing with public authorities. If you wish to travel or deal with private organizations (eg banks) these are free to ask/require ID documents.

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Yep, it’s exactly this. She has no way of transmitting hers, I am British born outside of the UK. Had I lived there for more than 3 years we would have been able to apply for naturalisation for the child to become a UK citizen, but as I haven’t there doesn’t seem to be a way.

Maybe if it came to it someone, somewhere would have to give and give the child a passport, but for the moment I am reasonably optimistic that the Swiss naturalisation will be done in time so I’d rather not cross the bridge of begging letters to various authorities until it comes to it.

If I were you, I’d write to the British authorities and tell them your child will be stateless (you don’t know for sure that you’ll get Swiss citizenship and when, so you’re not lying). They might grant it without much drama, and that can only benefit your child in the long run.

Check the British citizenship act section 3(1-3), you may qualify under the provisions to avoid statelessness. I imagine if you are not British born, they will expect you to demonstrate you don’t already have other citizenships you can pass on, such as from your country of birth. Also, you should a take Island-Monkey’s suggestion and try to leverage you current status to get your kid the British as well

As already said, there is an exception in the law, in your case, and you are able to transmit your British nationality to your child, despite the fact that you are british by descent.

Finally the time came and happy to share my timeline in canton Schwyz:

10.09.2023 first conversation with a lady in the gemeinde, gave me documents to fill and preparational material, 50chf
30.09.2023 submitted documents to gemeinde (including certificates of receiving any unemployment benefits last 5 years, extracts from a saving account for past 6 months)
02.10.2023 bill 550chf for initial proof of documents from gemeinde
14.11.2023 requesting additional documents from another canton
14.01.2024 additional documents submitted to gemeinde
05.02.2024 publications in local newspaper, gemeinde website about me to bring remarks and comments
03.05.2024 letter informing about the interview in the gemeinde, bill 1000chf
26.05.2024 interview at the gemeinde, asked around 30 questions (would you give up your current passport? what is heimat for you? all questions about lakes, mountains, buildings, passes, food, events, history, political system, religious holidays, 3 pillars), need smth like 24 correct answers. Interview was in high german.
25.06.2024 letter from zivilstandsamt about requesting birth and civil status certificates
05.07.2024 letter from gemeinde summarizing the protokoll of the interview, criterias are fulfilled and application can go further, it will be presented to gemeindeversammlung
03.09.2024 letter requesting photo for gemeindeversammlung brochure
05.10.2024 documents to zivilstandsamt submitted
07.10.2024 appointment at zivilstandsamt to sign that data is correct
24.11.2024 gemeindeversammlung, personal attendance required to sit in the first row with other candidates, bill 1100chf
19.12.2024 letter from gemeinde summarizing protokoll of the versammlung, also written about 10 days window “Beschwerdefrist”, after which now Gemeindebürgerrecht granted, application is forwarded to the Departement des Innern canton Schwyz
20.01.2025 invoice from SEM 100chf to pay within 30 days (otherwise they just cancel application O_o)
28.03.2025 letter from SEM to sign a declaration “no violations or debt collections” to send back
15.04.2025 letter form Departement des Innern canton Schwyz that SEM approval was granted and application will be considered in summer, another declaration “no violation or debt collections” to sign and send back
23.05.2025 letter from canton Schwyz that my entry in Kantonsburgerrecht will happen on 26 June at Kantonsrat Versammlung, bill 500chf
26.06.2025 Kantonsrat Versammlung, 3 days before they check the last time any entries in VOSTRA system for violations.
27.06.2025 Received a letter congratulating on becoming a Swiss citizen, Bürgerrechtsurkunde was included
08.07.2025 Submitted online the request for passport Pass und Identitätskarte, passport + id card = 148chf + 10chf post
07.07.2025 Received an email to choose available time slot, next one was on 21.07
21.07.2025 Went to a passburo, they took photo, fingerprints
23.07.2025 Received my passport/id via registered letters

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Hello everyone, just a quick update! :blush:

After 20 long months, my status has finally changed from Schlussprüfung to Abschluss today! :tada:

I’m feeling very happy and relieved.
I’ll keep you all posted once I receive the golden letter.

Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences it really helped along the way!

Cheers :clinking_beer_mugs:

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Unemployment Benefits (RAV)?

@thedude its Social benefits

Congratulations, I’m impressed that you were able to get through the final stage in about 6-7 weeks. I’ve read recently that this step normally takes 3-4 months in Canton Zurich. I’m hoping that this might be a positive sign that the GAZ is conducting these final checks more quickly. But it could be wishful thinking on my part.

Thank you @tdbrock! Yes, even when I emailed them about a month ago for an update, they told me it would take 3 to 4 months. So I feel quite lucky to have received mine in just 7 weeks definitely faster than expected!

Canton Zurich. Application submitted late Oct/early Nov 2024. Current status Prüfung Gemeinde, still waiting for the interview invitation. Is this business as usual?