If a mail item cannot be directly handed out at the door, the recipient is notified by Swiss Post that the consignment can be picked up at the branch counter. At the branch counter, Swiss Post verifies the authorization of the person collecting the consignment.

The person collecting the consignment must present the collection note − the so-called “notification” − and, for signature for parcels and registered letters, also identify themselves in one of the following ways:

as the actual recipient of the mail item
as an authorized agent in possession of a single authorization or a permanent authorization on file

Swiss Post accepts personal ID with a photo (example: Passport, Identity card, Swiss driver's licence, Foreigner's residence permit).
The ID must be an original document.
For security reasons, documents such as a family record book, marriage and partnership certificates or similar documents are not deemed to be valid ID.

No. Family members with the same name (including double names) do not need an authorization in order to collect consignments at the branch counter by mutual agreement.

Yes. If the name of the person collecting does not correspond to the name on the mail item, an authorization is required. This applies for example to married couples with different last names, cohabiting couples in a registered partnership and persons living in shared accommodation. Swiss Post cannot conclude that an affiliation exists if the last names are different. The security requirements will not have been met.

For security reasons, the single authorizations can only be issued over the phone for consignments addressed to natural persons. For security reasons, verification of the authorization cannot be performed over the phone for business customers. Recommendation for business customers: permanent authorization.