Residents’ Registration Office

The Residents’ Registration Office manages population movement, providing the necessary data to other municipal and cantonal services (tax and contribution offices, municipal schools, regional protection authority, civil registry office, etc.). It is responsible for updating the database by recording all arrivals, departures, changes of address, changes in marital status, births and deaths.

It is in charge of updating military service records and organising, preparing and distributing voting material to citizens registered on the electoral roll.

It also manages the register of economic activities in the area, as well as the AMICUS database for dog owners.

Arrival in the municipality

For people who intend to become domiciled in the municipality, it is mandatory to attend the Residents’ Registration Office in person within 8 days of arrival.

Documents to be shown:

• Passport or identity card
• Permit for foreign citizens
• Declaration of health insurance with a recognised company
• Copy of lease (for tenants)
• Original military service record (for Swiss citizens)
• Certificate of origin (for Swiss citizens arriving from abroad or from another canton)

Swiss citizens who have reached the age of majority and have come from another canton or from abroad must submit their certificate of origin to the chancellery.

Foreign citizens are invited to apply for a permit at the Bellinzona Migration Office within 14 days of their arrival date.

Departure from the municipality

Any person intending to leave the municipality must submit a departure notification to the Residents’ Registration Office within 8 days of their actual departure date.

For families, it is sufficient for the notification form to be signed by an adult member; children who have reached the age of majority must submit the form separately.

Swiss citizens who have reached the age of majority and are departing for another canton or a foreign country must attend the chancellery to collect their Certificate of Origin.

Foreign citizens are also requested to notify the Bellinzona Migration Office of their change of residency.

Change of address within the municipality

Changes of address within the municipality must be reported to the Residents’ Registration Office within 8 days.

Change of address notification

eMovingCH

eMovingCH is an online platform that allows citizens to carry out change of domicile procedures both within their own municipality and to other municipalities or cantons on an entirely electronic basis, avoiding the paperwork involved when registering at municipal counters.

This service is optional, as an alternative to the registration procedure at the municipal chancellery counter. It is only valid for changes of domicile within Switzerland.

The service is currently available in many Swiss municipalities, including Morcote. During the procedure, the person is in any case informed as to whether or not he or she can benefit from the eMoving service.

→ eMovingCH

Provisions for tenants

ARRIVAL

Each landlord must notify the Residents’ Registration Office of the arrival of new tenants within 8 days of the contract coming into force or of the actual date of occupation if there is no written contract. The same applies for a change of apartment within a block.

Arrival notification

DEPARTURE

The landlord must notify the Residents’ Registration Office of the tenant’s departure from the rented property within 8 days of this taking place.

Departure notification

Economic activities

Every businessperson or company that intends to settle in the municipality of Morcote must report the arrival or start-up of their economic activity to the Residents’ Registration Office within 8 days using the arrival notification form.
The transfer or cessation of activities must also be reported to the municipality within 8 days.

Issuance of certificates

The residential records office issues the following certificates:

• Certificate of good conduct
• Declaration of family status
• Permit to stay
• Certificate of domicile or residence
• Certificate of life
• Certificate of voting rights

As provided for by Municipal Decree, a registration fee must be paid for each document.

→ Request a certificate

Criminal records

A criminal record extract can be obtained:

• Through the federal administration online system by visiting the website www.casellario.admin.ch
• From the post office

Identity documents

In order to obtain a passport or an identity card you need to contact one of the registration centres, by appointment only and independently of your domicile.

Appointments can be booked on the website www.ti.ch/passaporti.