The corporate seal and stamp in Switzerland

The corporate seal and stamp in Switzerland: Purpose, regulations, and best practices

 

A corporate seal or stamp is a tool used by companies to authenticate their official documents. While it is essential in some countries, its role in Switzerland is more of a formality and tradition rather than a legal requirement. However, it can add credibility to certain documents and simplify administrative and commercial procedures.

Below, we will explore the use of corporate seals and stamps in Switzerland, their legal value, and why a Swiss company might need one.

 

 

 

1. Definition and purpose of a corporate seal or stamp

 

A corporate seal or stamp is a distinctive mark used to identify a company and formalize its documents. It can contain various pieces of information, such as:

• The company name
• Its legal address
• Its federal identification number (UID)
• A logo or specific symbol
• Additional mentions such as “Société Anonyme (SA/AG),” “Société à Responsabilité Limitée (Sàrl/GmbH),” etc.

 

The use of a corporate seal or stamp can provide several advantages for a Swiss company:

 

✅ Enhancing document recognition: A stamped document appears more official and professional. ✅ Simplifying international procedures: Some countries require a seal to validate commercial documents. ✅ Strengthening the company’s credibility: A personalized stamp reinforces a company’s professional image.

 

 

 

2. Regulations in Switzerland: Corporate seal and legal value

Is a corporate seal mandatory in Switzerland?

Unlike other countries such as China or India, using a corporate seal or stamp is not a legal requirement in Switzerland. Swiss companies are not obligated to stamp their documents for them to be legally valid.

In Swiss law, only the signature of the legal representative is required to validate an official document (contract, invoice, quote, etc.). Adding a seal or stamp does not provide any additional legal value.

When is the use of a corporate seal useful in Switzerland?

Although not mandatory, a corporate seal or stamp can be useful in several contexts:

📌 Invoices and quotes: Many companies use a stamp on their invoices and quotes for a more professional presentation. 📌 Official correspondence: Letters addressed to administrations, clients, or partners. 📌 Export and international trade: Some countries require a corporate seal on commercial documents. 📌 Internal documents: Validation of internal contracts, purchase orders, attendance sheets, etc.

In some cases, Swiss authorities may request a seal, especially for official documents translated for foreign jurisdictions.

 

 

 

3. Differences with other countries

 

Here is how the corporate seal is perceived in different countries:

 

Country	Seal Requirement?	Comments
Switzerland	❌ Not mandatory	Used out of habit, but not a legal requirement.
France	❌ Not mandatory	Used for commercial and administrative purposes but has no legal value.
Spain	✅ Often required	Some administrations require a stamp on official documents.
China	✅ Mandatory	The corporate seal is a legally required element.
Russia	✅ Mandatory	An official seal is necessary to validate certain documents.

 

 

In countries where the seal is a legal requirement, it often serves as an equivalent to the legal representative’s signature. In Switzerland, this is not the case.

 

 

 

4. Types of seals and stamps for a Swiss company

 

There are several types of corporate seals and stamps that Swiss companies can use:

 

🔹 Traditional ink stamp

• The most common for administrative documents.
• Can be customized with the company name, address, and UID.

🔹 Embossed seal (raised impression)

• Used for official or prestigious documents.
• Does not require ink but creates a raised impression on paper.

🔹 Digital stamp

• Used for electronic documents.
• Can be combined with a certified electronic signature.

🔹 Dater or numbering stamp

• Useful for tracking internal documents (e.g., invoices, purchase orders).

 

 

 

5. How to obtain a corporate Seal or stamp in Switzerland?

 

A corporate stamp can be ordered online or in-store from specialized suppliers. Here are some options:

📌 Online suppliers and physical stores:

• Professional stationery shops
• Office supply stores
• Swiss fiduciary services

 

It is possible to customize a seal by choosing the size, font, and adding a logo.

 

 

 

6. Corporate seal and digital signature: A modern alternative

 

With business digitalization, more and more documents are signed electronically. In Switzerland, a certified electronic signature (e.g., SwissID) has the same legal value as a handwritten signature.

✅ Advantages of electronic signatures:

• Time-saving and reduced administrative costs.
• Secure digital document processing.
• Accepted by administrations and business partners.

 

If a company wants to modernize its processes, an electronic signature can replace the traditional stamp.

 

 

 

In Switzerland, while the use of a corporate seal or stamp is not mandatory, it remains a useful tool for enhancing professionalism and facilitating certain business interactions. It is primarily used out of habit, especially on invoices, quotes, and administrative documents.

With the rise of digital solutions, electronic signatures are becoming a more effective and legally recognized alternative. Each company should assess the necessity of a seal based on its needs and interactions with foreign jurisdictions.

If you wish to obtain a stamp for your company, there are many options available online, in stores, or through your fiduciary service in Switzerland to customize your seal according to your requirements.