Enforcement office: the authority at the domicile, not a court
Updated on October 24, 2026
Each canton organises its enforcement offices. Ordinary enforcement is brought at the office of the debtor's domicile at the time of the request. The office receives the request, serves the payment order, receives opposition, carries out seizure and issues certificates of loss. It does not decide whether the invoice is well founded. That question belongs to the court. Extracts from the enforcement register are requested from the office, in principle by the person concerned. Cantonal organisation and addresses are on the canton's website. The procedure itself is federal: the Act on Fedlex.
What the DEBA says
A change of domicile during enforcement does not automatically transfer the file. The office already seized in principle remains competent. Reporting it avoids service at the old address.