Letter with ID check (Swiss Post)

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 procedure for Swiss Post's letter with ID check identity verification.


Instructions

Identity verification by letter with ID check (LID)
The personal identity check is carried out by a Swiss Post employee at your front door or at a post office counter.

Requirements

  • The ID check can only be used by private individuals with a Swiss domicile address. Verification at business addresses is not possible.
  • The identity verification is valid for 5 years.
  • Only the following identity documents are accepted for identity verification (Country list):
    • 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 for identity verification. It is not possible to use a proxy.
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. Select Switzerland. Click on Continue to verification.
    Picture with country selection to show the available verification methods. Select Switzerland.
    Select Switzerland.


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


  5. 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


  6. For the letter with ID check, select the Post identification option and click on Start.
    This option is only displayed for Swiss domicile addresses.
    Verification methods for identity verification are displayed for selection: postal verification, counter verification and video verification.
    Post-verification method


    Read the instructions for identity verification by letter with ID check.
    Instructions for the postal verification process.
    Instructions for postal verification.


  7. 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.
    Übersetzter Text The data recorded in the AGOV account is displayed and can be adjusted if necessary.
    Check the information for verification.


    Option to enter AHV details
    Display of personal data with optional entry of SSN (AHV) details
    SSN (AHV) number registration (optional)


  8. Enter your mobile number if you would like to receive a text message to notify you of dispatch. Select the desired correspondence language.
    Image for capturing the mobile number for text message notifications.
    Register contact details.


  9. Enter the ID number of the selected ID type and repeat this in the next window..
    Input mask for entering the ID number for the selected ID type.
    Enter the ID number for the selected ID type.


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


  10. Check your current domicile address and adjust it if necessary.
    Display of residential address for verification.
    Verify residential address for postal verification process.


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


  12. 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 Verification.
      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 Verification.
      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.


  13. 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.

    The error message indicates that the address verification failed.
    Error message due to failed address verification.


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


  14. The successful registration for the LID check is confirmed. The LID check will be carried out within 4–5 working days following registration.
    Image confirming successful registration for the LID check, which takes place within 4-5 working days.
    Registration for the LID check is confirmed, which takes place within 4-5 working days.

    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. One working day before the registered letter is delivered, you will be notified of the LID check by text message and/or email. You can track the letter at Where is my consignment? using the number provided.
  2. The Swiss Post employee delivers a registered letter in a two-way envelope, which they will open in your presence.
  3. The employee performs the identity check using the ID document you selected during registration, and signs the ID check form to confirm the authenticity of the ID document and your identity. They put the signed ID check form in the two-way envelope and take it with them.
  4. By signing on the mobile device, you confirm that the LID check has been carried out correctly. Following the successful LID check, the AGOV-Login can be used with the desired online service.
  5. Once the successful identity check has been completed, the postman will give you a letter with a 12-digit verification code that you can use to activate your account.
    Picture showing an example of a letter with a 12-digit verification code.
    Example of a letter with a 12-digit verification code.


    To do this, log in to your AGOV account (agov.ch/me) and click on Finish verification in the blue bar.
    Picture with AGOV account to complete the verification using the verification code. A blue bar indicates the pending verification.
    The blue bar indicates that verification is pending.


    After the identity verification has been completed, it may take a few hours before the verification code can be entered in the account.
    Image with the note that after your identity has been successfully verified, it may take a few hours before the verification code can be entered in the account.
    Note for entering the verification code that you received by post.


    As soon as the identity check has been confirmed by the post office, the verification code can be entered. Click on Enter verification code.
    Screen with confirmation of completed ID check and request to enter verification code.
    ID check has been successfully completed, verification code (letter) still needs to be entered.


    Type in the verification code from the letter and click on Verify.
    Input mask for entering the verification code.
    Input mask for the verification code.


    You will receive a confirmation when the identification check has been successfully completed. You can now use your AGOV login with the desired online service.
    The image with the successful completion of the verification is confirmed.
    Successful completion of the verification.



The following situations may arise during an LID check:
  • You are not at home when the registered letter is delivered. In this case, you will receive a collection note to carry out the ID check at your nearest post office. Alternatively, you can request that Swiss Post make a second delivery attempt.
  • Identity verification is rejected because the ID document is invalid, incorrect information has been provided or you did not appear in person for the LID check. If your request is rejected, it will be automatically cancelled and you will have to re-register for a LID check. You can re-register by logging in to the online public service again using your AGOV-Login.
  • If the LID check is not performed within 14 days of the registration date, the identity check will be automatically cancelled. You will then need to register again for identity verification.

Related help articles

Incorrect details for proof of identity
Counter identification (AGOV counter)
Video identification (IDnow)
How is the identity verification launched?


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