Counter identification (AGOV counter)

Description

Request to verify your data
You have registered with an online public service using your AGOV-Login, or have created a new AGOV account. After logging in or registering, you will be asked to verify your data. In this case, the online service will require a higher level of proof of identity than your AGOV account currently has.
Image to start verifying your personal data.
Click on the image to enlarge

Once the required identity verification has been completed, your AGOV-Login can be used with the online service. Various verification procedures are available for proof of identity, depending on your place of residence. The following section describes the AGOV counter identification (ID verification) process.


Instructions

Identity verification at an AGOV counter.
Identity verification at an AGOV counter can be carried out at selected public authority counters, e.g. residents' register offices. The current list of counters is shown during registration.

Requirements

  • Identity verification at an AGOV counter is only available to private individuals. Legal entities cannot register an AGOV account (see help article Legal entities).
  • Counter identification can also be used by cross-border commuters who live in neighbouring countries.
  • The identity verification is valid for 5 years.
  • The following identification documents are accepted for identity verification:
    • A valid Swiss passport or a foreign passport that is accepted for entry into Switzerland.
    • A valid Swiss identity card (ID) or a foreign ID card that is accepted for entry into Switzerland.
    • A valid Swiss residence permit.
    • Other identity documents such as driving licence, Swiss Pass, student card, etc. are not accepted.
  • The AGOV account holder must be present in person at the AGOV counter for identity verification. It is not possible to use a deputy.
Registration for identity verification
  1. Identity verification is started automatically when you log in to or register with an online service. Click on Start verification.
    Prompt to start the verification
    Request for verification of an existing AGOV account

    Prompt to start the verification
    Request for verification of a newly registered AGOV account

  2. The available verification methods are determined based on your domicile address and ID document. Click on Start.
    Start selection of verification method.
    Start selection of verification method.

  3. Over-the-counter identification is possible with Swiss residential addresses or foreign residential addresses in the border area:

    Perform an identity verification with a Swiss domicile address ▼
    ×

    1. Select Switzerland as your place of residence. Click on Continue to verification.
      Picture with country selection to show the available verification methods. Select Switzerland.
      Select Switzerland.

    2. Enter the postcode for your town/city.
      Image for capturing postcodes for Swiss residential addresses to show the available verification methods.
      Entering postcodes for Swiss residential addresses.

    3. The accepted forms of identification depend on your nationality. First select your nationality and then the type of identification document you wish to use to identify yourself.
      Picture with a selection list of nationalities.
      Selection list of nationalities.


      Choice of identification document for Swiss account holders.
      Permitted forms of identification for Swiss account holders

    4. For identity verification at an AGOV counter, select the option Counter identification and click on Start.
      Verification methods for identity verification are displayed for selection: postal verification, counter verification and video verification.
      Select the counter identification method.

      Read the instructions for identity verification at an AGOV counter.

      Instructions for the counter verification process.
      Instructions for the counter verification process.

    5. Select one of the AGOV counter locations displayed. If there is no counter service near you, click on Back and select a different method.
      A list of available counter services in your area will be displayed.
      Counter services near you.

      The counter service's address and opening hours will be displayed after you have made your selection.

      Picture of the selected AGOV counter with address and opening hours of the counter service.
      AGOV Counter Address with opening hours of the counter service.

    6. The data entered in the AGOV account is displayed and can be modified if necessary. You also have the option of entering your AHV details. After checking your data, click on Continue.
      The data recorded in the AGOV account is displayed and can be adjusted if necessary. You can optionally enter your SSN (AHV) data.
      Check personal data; the SSN (AHV) number can be provided optionally.

      Option to enter AHV details

      Display of personal data with optional entry of SSN (AHV) number.
      Entering the SSN (AHV) number (optional).

    7. Select the desired correspondence language.
      Selection list of correspondence languages: German, French, Italian and English.
      Select correspondence languages.

    8. Enter the ID number of the selected ID type and confirm it in the next window.
      Image for capturing the ID number of the selected ID type.
      Enter the ID number of the selected ID type.

      Repeat the process of entering the ID number to avoid errors.
      Enter the ID number again.


    9. Enter your Swiss domicile address and modify it if necessary. When entering the postcode, the correct town/city name is offered for selection. Accept this as shown.
      Input form for entering the home address and country.
      Recording of home address and country.

    10. Check your details. Click on Back to return to the previous screen to make any modifications. Click on Confirm.
      Display of personal details and residential address for confirmation.
      Check and confirm personal details.


    Perform an identity verification with foreign residential address at a Swiss counter ▼
    ×

    1. Select Rest of the world and click on Continue to verification.
      Select country if you live outside Switzerland.
      Select country if you live outside Switzerland.

    2. The accepted forms of identification depend on your nationality. First select your nationality and then the type of identification document you wish to use to identify yourself.
      Picture with a selection list of nationalities.
      Selection list of nationalities.

      Selection of the identification document for foreign account holders.
      Permitted forms of identification for foreign account holders

    3. For identity verification at an AGOV counter, select the option Counter identification and click on Start.
      Verification methods for identity verification are displayed for selection: desk verification and video verification.
      Selection of the available verification methods.

      Read the instructions for identity verification at an AGOV counter.

      Instructions for the counter verification process.
      Instructions for the counter verification process.

    4. Select one of the AGOV counter locations displayed. If there is no counter service near you, click on Back and select a different method.
      A list of available counter services in your area will be displayed.
      Counter services near you.

      The counter service's address and opening hours will be displayed after you have made your selection.

      Picture of the selected AGOV counter with address and opening hours of the counter service.
      AGOV Counter Address with opening hours of the counter service.

    5. The data entered in the AGOV account is displayed and can be modified if necessary. You also have the option of entering your AHV details. After checking your data, click on Continue.
      The data recorded in the AGOV account is displayed and can be adjusted if necessary. You can optionally enter your SSN (AHV) data.
      Check personal data; the SSN (AHV) number can be provided optionally.

      Option to enter AHV details

      Display of personal data with optional entry of SSN (AHV) number.
      Entering the SSN (AHV) number (optional).

    6. Select the desired correspondence language.
      Selection list of correspondence languages: German, French, Italian and English.
      Select correspondence languages.

    7. Enter the ID number of the selected ID type and confirm it in the next window.
      Image for capturing the ID number of the selected ID type.
      Enter the ID number of the selected ID type.

      Repeat the process of entering the ID number to avoid errors.
      Enter the ID number again.

    8. Enter your foreign domicile address or modify it if necessary.
      Input form for entering the home address and country.
      Recording of home address and country.

    9. Check your details. Click on Back to return to the previous screen to make any modifications. Click on Confirm.
      Display of personal details and residential address for confirmation.
      Check and confirm personal details.



  4. You must confirm your entries with the login factor that you used to log in to the online service:

    Confirmation with AGOV access app on smartphone or tablet ▼
    ×

    The prompts may differ depending on the Android and iOS version.

    1. You will receive a push notification from AGOV access app, which will be displayed in the status bar on your smartphone or tablet. Click on the push notification to confirm the entries with the AGOV access app.
      Request for confirmation of push message in the AGOV access app.
      Push message sent.


      The status bar displays the push notification received for confirmation.
      Push message in the status bar on an Android smartphone.


      iPhone: The notification centre displays the push notification received for confirmation.
      Push message in the notification centre on an iPhone.


      If no push notification is displayed, check whether push notifications for the AGOV access app are enabled (see help article: Why doesn't the AGOV access app receive push notifications?).


    2. Confirm using your PIN, fingerprint or Face ID.
      Confirm the push message in the AGOV access app with your PIN, fingerprint or Face ID.
      Confirmation with fingerprint in the AGOV access app.


    3. Click on Continue to finalise the confirmation.
      Successful registration is displayed in the AGOV access app.
      Click Continue to finalise.



    Confirmation with security key on Windows ▼
    ×

    The prompts may vary depending on the Windows version.
    1. Click on Start confirmation.
      Image with the instructions for confirmation with the security key is displayed.
      Start confirmation.


    2. Select the security key option and connect it to your PC's USB port.
      Select the Security Key option.
      Selecting and connecting the security key.


    3. Enter your security key PIN.
      Enter the security key PIN.
      Enter the PIN of the security key.


    4. Tap to confirm your security key.
      Prompt to tap the security key.
      Tap the security key.



    Confirmation with security key on MacOS ▼
    ×

    The dialogue may differ depending on the MacOS version and the web browser used.

    Dialog with Safari web browser

    1. Click on Start confirmation.
      Image with the instructions for confirmation with the security key is displayed.
      Start confirmation.


    2. Select the Security Key option.
      Select the Security Key option.
      Selecting the security key.


    3. Attach the security key to your Mac and tap it.
      Connect the security key to your Mac, tap it.
      Connect the security key to your Mac, tap it.


    4. Enter the PIN of your security key. Tap the security key to confirm.
      Enter the security key PIN.
      Enter PIN security key.


      Re-insert the security key and activate it.
      Re-insert the security key and activate it.


    Dialog with Chrome and Firefox web browser
    1. Click on Start confirmation.
      Image with the instructions for confirmation with the security key is displayed.
      Start confirmation.


    2. Select the Security Key option.
      This image shows the selection of the passkey for agov.admin with the USB security key option.
      Select the Security Key option.


    3. Connect the security key to your Mac and tap it.
      Prompt to insert and press the security key.
      Insert and press the security key.


    4. Enter the PIN of your security key. Tap the security key to confirm.
      Enter the security key PIN.
      Enter the security key PIN.


      Prompt to tap the security key.
      Tap the security key.



  5. If the address verification fails, an error message will be displayed. Click on Back and correct any mistakes in the first name, surname and domicile address. Then reconfirm.
    An error message indicates that the address verification has failed.
    Address verification failed.

    If address verification is not possible, refer to the help article Incorrect details for proof of identity .

  6. Successful registration for identity verification at the AGOV counter will be confirmed.
    Download the registration confirmation (PDF) and bring it with you in printed or electronic form for the identity verification.
    Image with link to download the registration confirmation for the identity check at the AGOV desk with the identification and application number, as well as the opening hours and address of the desk.
    Download the registration confirmation and bring it with you in printed or electronic form to verify your identity.

    Registration confirmation (PDF) to save or print

    Registration confirmation as a PDF document to save or print.
    Registration confirmation for saving or printing (PDF).

    A blue bar in the AGOV account indicates the pending identity verification.

    Note in the AGOV account regarding pending verification. Button to complete the verification.
    Complete the ongoing verification process.

Identity verification procedure
  1. Visit the selected counter service in person within 14 days of registration and bring the following documents with you:
    • Registration confirmation printed out or saved digitally as a PDF or photo on your smartphone or tablet.
    • Valid ID document that you selected during registration.
  2. The counter staff will check that the ID document is valid and verify your identity. A copy of your ID document will then be made as proof of identity.
  3. The result of the identity verification will be communicated to you verbally and confirmed by email. After successful identity verification, the AGOV-Login can be used with the desired online service.
The following situations may arise during the identity verification process at an AGOV counter:
  • The identity verification is rejected because the ID document is invalid, incorrect information has been provided or you did not appear in person at the counter. If your proof of identity is rejected, your request will be automatically canceled and you will have to re-register for identity verification. You can re-register by logging in to the online public service again using your AGOV-Login.
  • If the identity check is not carried out within 14 days of the registration date at the selected AGOV counter, the identity check will be automatically canceled. After that, you will have to register again for the identity check.

Related help articles

Incorrect details for proof of identity
Letter with ID check (Swiss Post)
Video identification (IDnow)
How is the identity verification launched?


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