Search and document delivery at a glance
- Search online
- Zefix search and results require no account. The cantonal extract link opens the detailed registry entry. [5] [4] [12] [7]
- Search language
- Zefix search offers German, French, Italian and English. [13]
- Digital documents
- Zurich emails available filed documents as free PDFs. Open the blue folder icon and select the complete dossier, then request the documents. [8]
- Document language
- Certified commercial-register extracts from Zurich are available in German, French, Italian and English. [7]
- Paper and collection
- Zurich posts ordered certified extracts and certified articles of association. Online ordering requires an account. [7]
- International delivery
- Not specified
- Fees at a glance
- Zefix individual searches are free. Zurich example: public PDF filings free, certified extract CHF50, certified articles CHF40, plus applicable postage.
- Access
- Public research access. Zurich’s filing-email service asks for a name and email address; certified-extract orders require an account.
Choose the right register
Cantonal offices maintain the commercial registers. The Federal Commercial Registry Office supervises them and operates the nationwide Zefix index. Updated daily, the index helps identify an entity’s seat and the competent cantonal source. The Zurich ordering steps and fees below apply specifically to that canton. [1] [2] [7]
Look up Swiss business identifiers.
Official commercial-register publications.
Free public PDFs in the cantonal collection.
Information about the new non-public register.
Names and abbreviations explained
- ZefixZentraler Firmenindex
- The Central Business Name Index of entities entered in cantonal commercial registers. [1] [2]
- EHRAEidgenössisches Amt für das Handelsregister
- The Federal Commercial Registry Office, supervising the cantonal registers. [2]
- UIDUnternehmens-Identifikationsnummer
- Swiss business identifier, beginning CHE on the commercial-register extract. [6]
- SHABSchweizerisches Handelsamtsblatt
- Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce, publishing commercial-register entries and other notices. [1]
Search step by step
Identify the entity and competent register
Start nationwide
Enter the company name or UID in Zefix. Open “erweiterte Suche” (advanced search) to select the seat, canton and legal form. Other options cover exact search, phonetic search, deleted entities and previous company names. Start with “Suchen” (Search). [12]
Open the cantonal record
Compare the name, UID, legal form, seat and canton in the result table. “Kantonaler Auszug” opens the detailed entry at the competent cantonal register. Check management and representation powers there. For a GmbH, also inspect registered members. [12] [4] [5]
Download filings in Zurich
Choose the entry and reference
Search by name through “Firmen im Kanton Zürich”. The top-right control in the internet extract also displays cancelled entries. Blue folder icons lead to the documents associated with each reference number. [8]
Request the documents
Open a folder icon, choose “Ganzes Dossier”, and supply your name and email address. “Belege zusenden” sends the available PDFs. Where no folder icon appears, this PDF retrieval route is unavailable. [8]
Order a certified Zurich extract
Select document and language
Open the internet extract, choose “Bestellen”, then the type and quantity. Add the order to the basket and complete the account process. Credit-card or invoice payment is available; delivery is postal. [7]
Documents and fees
| Document / information | Contents and purpose | Fee | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zefix result [2] | Entity identity and seat, leading to the competent cantonal register. | Free. | Public individual query. |
| Public Zurich filings [8] | For example articles, minutes and applications. | PDF retrieval is free. | Use the folder icon in the cantonal internet extract. |
| Certified extract, Zurich [7] | Certified commercial-register extract. | CHF50; listed postage and expenses CHF1.20 or CHF2.50. | Order with an account; postal delivery. |
| Certified articles, Zurich [7] | Certified version of the articles of association. | CHF40 plus applicable postage and expenses. | Select in the cantonal order process.
|
Coverage and practical limits
Alongside AG and GmbH companies, the register covers partnerships and branches. Sole traders generally have mandatory registration from CHF100,000 annual turnover. An unsuccessful search therefore does not automatically rule out smaller self-employed activity. Registered associations and other entities may also appear. [3]
A GmbH’s holders of membership interests are named in the commercial register. The federal guidance describes the possibility of anonymous ownership for an AG. Representation powers and share ownership are consequently separate research questions. [4] [5]
Filings and older records
Zurich makes public minutes, register applications, articles and public instruments available as free PDFs. A separate order route covers older material; its form lists historical extracts from 1883. That date describes Zurich’s service, not a uniform online archive covering every canton. [8] [9]
The described Zefix service is a company index. Its open core dataset includes names, seats and domicile addresses. It does not provide a general accounts-download service. Financial research requires additional documents outside that core dataset. [1]
Access from abroad
The Zefix search and result table are accessible without an account or electronic identity. The Zurich order account concerns document procurement. The canton’s general estimate of one to two business days for postal delivery should not be treated as a guarantee for international mail. [12] [7]
New Transparency Register from October 2026
On 14 September 2026, the new federal register is still in its pilot phase. The Transparency Act enters into force on 1 October 2026, starting transitional filing periods. The register will remain non-public. Statutorily entitled authorities, financial intermediaries and certain advisers have access for their legal duties. Free Zefix access does not grant access to that register. [10] [11]
Official machine access
EHRA provides a REST API alongside web search; request access through the designated contact. A separate open dataset contains daily core data for active registered entities. The full register is not available as an unrestricted export of web-search results. [1]
Official samples and reading guides
Zurich official guide and explanatory video
The register office explains internet extracts, cancelled entries and linked filings. [8]
Avoid common mistakes
- A legal domicile or c/o address indicates how the entity can be reached. A c/o address means another party receives and forwards mail; it does not by itself demonstrate operating activity at that location. [6]
Frequently asked questions
Original sources
Sources reviewed: 14 September 2026. The guidance is based on the linked information published by registers and public authorities.
- Handelsregister, Zefix und Regix Bundesamt für Justiz
- Zuständigkeiten des EHRA Bundesamt für Justiz
- Handelsregister: Rechte und Pflichten für KMU SECO / KMU-Portal des Bundes
- Rechtsform GmbH SECO / KMU-Portal des Bundes
- Rechtsform Aktiengesellschaft SECO / KMU-Portal des Bundes
- Gut zu wissen zum Handelsregister Handelsregisteramt Kanton Zürich
- Beglaubigten Handelsregisterauszug oder Statuten bestellen Handelsregisteramt Kanton Zürich
- Handelsregisterbelege herunterladen Handelsregisteramt Kanton Zürich
- Weitere Dokumente bestellen Handelsregisteramt Kanton Zürich
- Federal Council brings new anti-money laundering rules into force Bundesrat / Bundesamt für Justiz
- Fragen und Antworten zum Transparenzregister Bundesamt für Justiz
- Zefix: aktuelle Firmensuche und Treffertabelle Bundesamt für Justiz / EHRA
- Zefix: beobachtete Sprachwahl und englische Suchmaske Bundesamt für Justiz / EHRA