Slovakia implements new law for document authentication

A new law regarding the authentication of documents and signatures (No. 78/2026 Z. z.) came into effect in Slovakia on September 1, 2026, replacing legislation that had been in place since 2001.

The new regulations introduce several restrictions on what municipal and district offices can certify. Authorities are now prohibited from certifying copies of documents containing security features—such as watermarks, relief seals, dry seals, or optical variable elements—if the copying process would cause these features to be lost. This change may impact documents like high school diplomas and university degrees, potentially requiring citizens to seek notary services or request duplicates from educational institutions instead.

Additionally, officials will no longer certify signatures on blank documents or incomplete forms. For foreign nationals, a valid passport is required for identification, though the law no longer explicitly specifies a residence permit. While the locations and costs of these services remain unchanged, the list of documents that offices may refuse to certify has been expanded to ensure legal clarity and prevent inconsistent interpretations of the rules.