Where, how, and when do you need an officially certified signature?

Quick Overview

An officially certified signature confirms the identity of the signatory and the fact that the signatory either executed the signature or acknowledged it as their own. Signature certification does not involve a review of the document’s content. At government offices, the administrative fee in 2026 is 50 CZK per signature; at a notary’s office, the fee is 70 CZK for certifying the authenticity of one person’s signature on the same document, according to the notary’s fee schedule. Legalization can also be performed for an electronic signature, but it is not simply the same as signing a document with any electronic signature or sending it via a data box.

Do you need to sign a contract and aren’t sure if simply having the signature verified is sufficient? An attorney can also review the content of the document and point out provisions that could pose a risk to you.

What Is Signature Verification and What Is It For?

Signature verification, commonly referred to as “legalization,” is an official confirmation that a specific person has indeed signed the document in their own handwriting. It is therefore not a verification of the document’s content, but solely a verification of the identity of the person signing the document.

In practice, an officially certified signature is often required when entering into important legal transactions —for example, when transferring real estate, drafting a power of attorney, or obtaining an owner’s consent to a legal action. The purpose is to prevent fraud and identity theft.

Some documents will not be accepted by public authorities without a notarized signature—but only if expressly required by law (for example, when filing an application for entry in the real estate cadastre or when granting a power of attorney for representation in proceedings). Therefore, if the law requires official certification of a signature, simply signing by hand is not sufficient—it must be officially certified.

Signature certification (also known as legalization) is governed by the Act on Notaries and Their Activities and by the Act on Certification. These legal provisions specify who may authenticate a signature, what the procedure should be, and what conditions must be met. The purpose of official authentication is to ensure legal certainty that a specific person has indeed expressed their intent by signing the document in question.

Where to Verify a Signature

You can verify a signature in several places. People most often use the following methods:

• Czech POINT at the post office —it’s available in almost every town, and it’s also the most common and least expensive option.
• Notary – verification by a notary is suitable for more complex legal transactions or if you need a notarial deed.
• City or municipal office.
• Lawyer— a lawyer can authenticate signatures on documents if it relates to the provision of legal services, such as on a contract they drafted or reviewed for a client,
• Embassy or consulate abroad – if you are outside the Czech Republic, this is where you must go.

If you’re not sure where to have a signature certified in your area, simply look for the nearest Czech POINT. You’ll find them not only at post offices but also at district municipal offices, libraries, or branches of the Chamber of Commerce.

How to Have a Signature Certified

At first glance, the signature verification process seems simple, but it has several clearly defined rules that must be followed. First, you must bring a valid form of identification—such as an ID card or passport—so that the official can verify that you are indeed the person named in the document. You will then present the document you need to sign.

The official will then identify you , check your documents, and confirm that you have signed the document in your own handwriting. Finally, the official will affix an official endorsement with a stamp and signature, thereby making your signature officially certified.

There are two ways to have your signature notarized:

The first is the standard method, which involves signing the document directly in front of an official. This is the most common option used by most people. The person signing must have an ID on hand and sign the document directly in front of the official. The official will confirm that the signature was made in their presence, affix a stamp, and add a certification clause. Simply put: the official must see you signing.

The second option permitted by law is called a declaration of the authenticity of the signature. In this case, the person does not sign again in front of the official but verbally declares that the signature on the document is their own. By doing so, they assume responsibility for the authenticity of the signature. The official verifies the person’s identity, attaches a certification clause, and thereby confirms that the specific person made such a declaration. This procedure is used less frequently, usually in cases where the document has already been signed (e.g., at a lawyer’s office) and the signatory subsequently appears only to confirm the authenticity of their signature.

A signature cannot be certified if the person fails to prove their identity, lacks full legal capacity, there is suspicion that they are being coerced into signing, the document is incomplete or illegible, or it is written in a language the certifying official does not understand.

Signature Verification at the Post Office vs. at a Notary vs. at a Lawyer’s Office

Every place where a signature can be certified has its own advantages and disadvantages. It depends primarily on what document you’re signing—whether you need only formal confirmation of the signature’s authenticity or also legal certainty regarding the document’s content itself.

Signature verification at the post office—that is, through Czech POINT—is the fastest and most affordable option. This service is available at most post offices and municipal offices throughout the country, so you can use it practically anywhere. The price is fixed at 30 CZK per signature. However, it is important to keep in mind that the postal clerk only verifies the authenticity of the signature, not the content of the document. Therefore, they do not examine whether the text of a contract or power of attorney is legally sound and bear no responsibility for it.

Another option is to have a signature certified by a notary. In addition to the certification itself, a notary also provides other legal services; for example, they can draw up a notarial deed, which carries greater probative value than a standard document. Notarial certification is therefore particularly suitable for real estate transfer agreements, inheritance matters, or other important legal transactions that require certainty and formal precision.

A specific option is having a signature notarized by an attorney. A lawyer may authenticate signatures on documents that they have prepared themselves or whose content they have reviewed. The advantage is legal certainty— when providing this service, the lawyer is responsible for its accuracy and, in the event of an error, bears liability for damages caused by defective legal advice. Neither Czech POINT nor the post office provides this level of scrutiny, as their staff do not review the content of documents and are not responsible for it.

In practice, a common misconception is that an officially certified signature also confirms that the contract is legally sound. However, the certifying official generally only confirms that the signature belongs to a specific person. For significant contracts—typically in real estate transactions—it is therefore advisable to separate the signature verification from the legal review of the document itself.

Can an officially certified signature be obtained electronically?

An electronic signature can also be notarized if the legal requirements are met. However, this does not mean that every qualified electronic signature, login via BankID, or document sent via a data box automatically constitutes a notarized signature.

During electronic legalization, the electronic signature on a specific document is verified, and the relevant verification clause is attached to the document. This option is governed, for example, by the Act on Verification and the Notarial Code. A lawyer may also issue a declaration of the authenticity of an electronic signature under the conditions prescribed by law.

Therefore, if a legal regulation or government agency specifically requires an officially certified signature, always verify whether the particular method of electronic signing actually meets this requirement.

Are you drafting a contract remotely and unsure what type of signature you need? A lawyer can review the specific document and the method of signing it so that you do not have to repeat the entire process due to an incorrect signature format.

The Cost of Signature Verification and How Long It Takes

In 2026, the administrative fee for signature verification is 50 CZK per signature. For a notary, the notary fee schedule sets the fee at 70 CZK for verifying the authenticity of one person’s signature on the same document. For a lawyer, the cost depends on the specific service and, if applicable, on whether the certification of a signature is part of a broader legal service, such as drafting a contract.

The verification itself usually takes only a few minutes. However, expect it to take longer if you need to verify multiple signatures or are also having the document reviewed for legal compliance.

Summary

An officially certified signature, or legalization, confirms that a specific person signed the document in the presence of the certifying official or acknowledged an existing signature as their own; however, it does not assess the accuracy or legal content of the document. Signature certification can be obtained, for example, at the relevant government office, from a notary, or through a lawyer. In 2026, the administrative fee is 50 CZK per signature, and the notary fee schedule sets the fee for certifying the authenticity of one person’s signature on the same document at 70 CZK. Official certification is not required for every contract or power of attorney—the requirement of a specific legal regulation or authority is decisive. The law also permits the legalization of an electronic signature; however, this should not be automatically confused with the use of an electronic signature, BankID, or a data box. If, in addition to the authenticity of the signature, you also need assurance regarding the content of the contract, the document must be reviewed separately by a legal professional.