Why is a signature verified?
An officially verified signature serves as a guarantee of authenticity – it confirms that the signature on a document was truly made by the person who is identified as the signer.
Signature verification is required for legal acts such as:
- purchase contracts (e.g., for real estate or a car),
- powers of attorney (in some cases),
- company formation or changes in the Commercial Register,
- donation agreements or transfer of business shares in an LLC (s.r.o.).
In Slovakia, signatures may be verified by notaries or municipal offices (matrika). The differences are explained below.
Who can verify a signature in Slovakia?
According to Slovak law, the following bodies may verify a signature:
| Entity | Legal Basis | Type of Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Notary | Act No. 323/1992 Coll. on Notaries | Issues a notarial certificate (notárska doložka) |
| Municipal Authority (matrika) | Act No. 599/2001 Coll. on Authentication of Documents and Signatures | Issues an official certification clause |
Both forms have the same legal effect – a signature verified at a municipal office has the same legal weight as one verified by a notary.
The differences lie only in scope of services, price, and availability.
How does signature verification at a Slovak notary work?
Verification of a signature at a notary is quick and formal. The notary performs a legal act called legalization, which certifies the authenticity of the signature. This means the notary (or an authorized employee) confirms that the person either:
- signed the document in front of the notary, or
- declared before the notary that the signature on the document is their own.
In both cases, the notary attaches a verification clause confirming the authenticity of the signature, the date, and notary identification details. A notarized signature has full legal force in Slovakia and abroad.
Procedure:
- You bring the document that needs a verified signature (e.g., contract, power of attorney).
- You present a valid ID card or passport.
- The notary asks you to sign in their presence, or acknowledges an already existing signature as yours.
- The notary attaches a verification clause with stamp, date, signature, and registration number.
- You pay the fee based on the number of signatures verified.
The entire process usually takes 5–10 minutes.
Fees for signature verification at a Slovak notary (2025)
Notarial fees are set by Decree of the Ministry of Justice No. 31/1993 Coll.:
- €1.99 excluding VAT per verified signature.
- If the document is in a foreign language, an additional fee up to €5 may apply.
- If the notary travels outside the office (e.g., hospital, home), travel fees are added.
The notary must issue a receipt – this is a regulated service.
How does signature verification at a municipal office (matrika) work?
The process at a municipal office is similar, but simpler:
- You visit the municipal office in person.
- You provide your ID card and the document.
- The clerk verifies identity and presence, attaches certification clause + round municipal stamp.
- You pay the official fee set by the Act on Administrative Fees No. 145/1995 Coll.
The process takes 2–5 minutes and is available in most municipalities.
Fees for verification at a municipal office (2025)
- €2 per verified signature (administrative fee).
- Some legal acts are free of charge (e.g., social assistance matters, guardianship acts).
- Payment is made in cash or via fee stamps (kolok).
Comparison: Notary vs. Municipal Office – Price & Legal Effect
| Verification Location | Fee per Signature (2025) | Time Required | Legal Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notary | €1.99 | 5–10 min | Same as matrika | Higher legal certainty, recommended for contracts |
| Municipal Office (matrika) | €2.00 | 2–5 min | Same as notary | Cheaper & more accessible |
For documents used within Slovakia, both forms are legally equal.
For documents used abroad or not in Slovak language, only notaries may certify the signature – municipal offices are not authorized for foreign-language or international documents.
Electronic signature verification in Slovakia – Qualified e-Signature (KEP)
As of 2025, the Qualified Electronic Signature (KEP) is increasingly used.
It has the same legal force as an officially certified handwritten signature.
It is used for:
- filings via slovensko.sk,
- business registry submissions,
- communication with government authorities.
Benefits:
✅ completely free of charge
✅ fast and secure
✅ accepted by all Slovak authorities
Mgr. Dominik Ondrišeje
Dominik is co-founder of the SetupMART project. Dominik is responsible for corporate services and implementation of modern technologies in our services at SetupMART. Dominik is dedicated to the sale of ready-made companies since 2011. Dominik studied law at the Pan-European School of Law.