[Untitled]
Washington, January 8, 1901.
notice to american citizens formerly citizens of switzerland who contemplate returning to that country.
The information given below is believed to be correct, yet is not to be considered as official, as it relates to the laws and regulations of a foreign country.
Every Swiss citizen is liable, under Swiss law, to military service from the beginning of the year in which he becomes 20 years of age until the end of the year when he becomes 44. Every Swiss of military age who does not perform military service is subject to an annual tax, whether he resides in the Confederation or not, or to punishment for nonpayment of the tax if he returns to Switzerland.
If a Swiss citizen renounces Swiss allegiance in the manner prescribed by the Swiss law of July 3, 1876, and his renunciation is accepted, his naturalization in another country is recognized, but without such acceptance it is not recognized, and is held to descend from generation to generation.
Before he returns to Switzerland an American citizen of Swiss origin should file with the cantonal authorities his written declaration of renunciation of his rights to communal, cantonal, and in general Swiss citizenship, with documents showing that he has obtained foreign citizenship for himself, wife, and minor children, and receive the sealed document of release from Swiss citizenship through the direction of justice of the canton of his origin. If he neglects this and is within the ages when military service may be required, he is liable to military tax, or to arrest and punishment in case of nonpayment of the tax.
There is no treaty between the United States and Switzerland defining the status of former Swiss citizens who have become naturalized as American citizens.
Passports are not required for admission to Switzerland, but are usually demanded from persons sojourning in that country. They do not require to be viséed or indorsed to be valid.