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A Certificate of Incorporation proves that your company legally exists in Switzerland. This official document, issued by the cantonal commercial registry, shows key details about your business including its name, registered address, founding date, and initial capital. Think of it as your company's birth certificate.

Swiss businesses need this certificate to open bank accounts, sign contracts, and prove their legal status to partners and authorities. The document remains valid as long as your company exists, though you'll need updated versions when significant changes occur, like moving to a new canton or changing your company name. In Swiss German regions, you might hear it called a "Handelsregisterauszug."

Your Swiss Certificate of Incorporation becomes essential when dealing with banks, government agencies, and business partners. Banks require it to open corporate accounts, while potential clients or investors often ask for it during due diligence. You'll need to present it when bidding on public contracts or applying for permits.

Keep a certified copy handy for time-sensitive situations like loan applications, lease agreements, or mergers. Many cantonal authorities now accept digital versions, but some traditional institutions still require the original or a notarized copy. For international business, you might need an apostille or certified translation of your certificate.

• Company Registration Certificate: Standard version issued to corporations (AG) and limited liability companies (GmbH), showing full corporate structure, share capital, and board members. Most widely recognized by banks and authorities.
• Certificate Of Incorporation For Sole Proprietorship: Simplified version for individual entrepreneurs (Einzelunternehmen), focusing on the owner's details and business purpose. Required for sole traders with annual revenue over CHF 100,000.

• Commercial Registry Officers: Issue and authenticate the Certificate of Incorporation after verifying company details and legal requirements are met.
• Company Founders: Provide required documentation and use the certificate to prove their company's legal existence when dealing with banks, partners, or authorities.
• Notaries: Verify signatures, certify copies, and prepare supporting documentation for the registration process.
• Banks and Financial Institutions: Request and verify certificates before opening business accounts or providing financial services.
• Business Partners: Review certificates during due diligence to confirm a company's legal status and authority to enter contracts.

• Company Details: Gather your chosen company name, legal form (AG, GmbH, etc.), registered address, and planned start date.
• Capital Information: Document your share capital amount, number of shares, and their nominal value.
• Leadership Structure: List all board members, directors, and authorized signatories with their full legal names and residential addresses.
• Business Purpose: Write a clear description of your company's planned activities in one of Switzerland's official languages.
• Supporting Documents: Prepare articles of association, proof of capital deposit, and personal identification for all founders.

• Company Identification: Full legal name, unique registration number (UID), and registered office address in Switzerland.
• Legal Form Declaration: Clear statement of company type (AG, GmbH, etc.) and incorporation date.
• Capital Structure: Details of share capital, including amount paid-in and number of shares issued.
• Management Details: Names and signing authorities of board members and directors.
• Official Validation: Commercial registry stamp, date of issuance, and registrar's signature.
• Authentication Features: Extract number, QR code for digital verification, and official watermarks where applicable.

The Certificate of Incorporation often gets confused with the Articles of Incorporation in Swiss business formation. While both are crucial documents, they serve different purposes and come into play at different stages of your company's life.

• Timing and Creation: Articles of Incorporation come first - you draft them when forming your company. The Certificate follows after, confirming your company's official registration.
• Legal Function: Articles outline your company's internal rules and structure, while the Certificate proves your company's legal existence to third parties.
• Content Scope: Articles contain detailed governance rules, shareholder rights, and business purposes. The Certificate provides a snapshot of key company details like name, address, and capital.
• Modification Process: Articles can be amended through shareholder voting, while the Certificate updates automatically when you register changes with the commercial registry.