Government of Canada services and information in Bratislava, Slovakia

Refer to International adoption.

Refer to Children born outside of Canada.

Until further notice, citizenship applications from Slovakia must be submitted to the Embassy of Canada to Austria.

To apply for a certified Canadian criminal record check, visit the website of your provincial/municipal police agency, or the RCMP website.

The criminal record check process generally requires the applicant to submit fingerprints. The Slovak Police can do these. Contact the Embassy of Canada to Slovakia at brtsv.consular@international.gc.ca for specific contact details. The Slovak police will require a written request for fingerprints (in Slovak) as well as a printed RCMP form (for the RCMP process; check individual provincial/municipal police requirements). The completed fingerprints are then sent back to the Canadian authorities.

Note: Information provided to third parties is subject to their own respective processes and applicable privacy laws. Inquire directly with the third party for questions on how your personal information is managed.

Please note that it is recommended to obtain the criminal record check from the RCMP's HQ in Ottawa rather than a local or provincial police detachment. Documents issued by a provincial or a municipal police agency need to be notarized in Canada first before being sent for authentication to JLAC in Canada or to the Embassy of Canada in Bratislava.

Refer to Marriage outside Canada.

Canadian citizens who want to marry in Slovakia need a "Statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage" from the Consular section at the Embassy of Canada in Bratislava. In some cases, it also serves as a proof of residency in Canada. Book an appointment to sign the Statement in person before a consular official at the Embassy.

For further information, please contact the Civil Registry "Matrika", the Church where the marriage is to be performed or the nearest Slovak Embassy/Consulate in Canada.

Please be advised that Canadian diplomatic and consular officers are not permitted under the law of Canada to solemnize marriages nor can they allow the solemnization of marriages in the diplomatic/consular premises.

To apply for a new Canadian birth or marriage certificate:

The issuance of birth and marriage documents falls under provincial jurisdiction in Canada. These documents cannot be issued or replaced by the Embassy of Canada. Contact the Vital Statistics office, or equivalent responsible authority, in your Canadian province or territory.

The Embassy provides the following notarial services, by appointment, to Canadian citizens and, in limited cases, to non-Canadian citizens if the documents are intended for use in Canada.

Note: Documents must be in English or French, or accompanied by an official translation in English or French.

The Embassy cannot provide advice in private legal matters. Find a list of Slovak lawyers at Ask Travel.

Authentication/Attestation (certify the document signature, the position of an official and the seal are genuine):

• New: Apostille (replaced super-legalization)
  On January 11, 2024, the Apostille Convention came into force in Canada. Canadian public documents no longer need to be super-legalized through Canadian and then Slovak authorities to be accepted in Slovakia. An apostille issued by Canadian authorities is sufficient.
• If you need an apostille for a Canadian public document, please contact relevant authorities in Canada.
• An apostille can be issued by the Embassy of Canada in Bratislava for certain types of Canadian Criminal Records Checks. Please contact the Embassy for further information at brtsv.consular@international.gc.ca.
• Documents super-legalized before January 11, 2024, continue to be valid in Slovakia.

Certified copy (certify the document is a true copy of the original):

• Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
• Government-issued identification requiring a certified true copy (fees apply).

Witness a signature (consular officer witnesses a signature):

• Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
• Government-issued identification requiring a witnessed signature (fees apply).

Note: Complete all documents before booking an appointment. Sign all documents in front of the consular officer.

Until further notice, passport applications from Slovakia must be submitted to the Embassy of Canada to Austria.

Refer to Retiring abroad.

The Embassy cannot assist with pension and tax-related issues.

Contact Employment and Social Development Canada for pension-related questions.

Contact Canada Revenue Agency for tax-related issues.

Same-sex marriage is not recognized in Slovakia.

Refer to Studying abroad and EduCanada.

• Submit visa applications and study and work permits to a visa application centre (VAC). Book an appointment to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a VAC.
• Submit permanent residence applications and documents to a visa office.
• Submit applications to overcome criminal inadmissibility to a visa office.
• To sign and authenticate Section 5 of form IMM0006 virtually, search for “Canadian online notary public” online.
• The Provincial or Territorial notary association in Canada may also be contacted.
• Electronic Travel Authorization for dual citizens

• Electronic Travel Authorization for non-Canadian citizens

Visa, residence and work permit issues in Slovakia fall under the responsibility and jurisdiction of the Slovak Foreigners Police and Office for Labour, Social Affairs and Family.

• In Canada, contact the Slovak Embassy in Ottawa.
• Outside Slovakia or Canada, contact your nearest Slovak embassy or consulate.

Refer to Voting in an election while outside Canada.