Ellenőrizzük a saját kezű aláírást, különben elutasíthatják az útlevélkérelmet.

Ellenőrizzük comes from the verb ellenőriz = to check / to verify.

The ending -jük shows:

• 1st person plural = we
• definite conjugation

Hungarian has two main present-tense conjugation patterns:

• indefinite: used when there is no definite direct object
• definite: used when the verb has a definite direct object

Here the object is a saját kezű aláírást = the signature, so Hungarian uses the definite form:

• ellenőrzünk = we check, in general
• ellenőrizzük = we check it / the specific thing

So the form matches the definite object.

Hungarian has two forms of the definite article:

• a before a consonant sound
• az before a vowel sound

So:

• a saját kezű aláírást because saját begins with a consonant sound
• az útlevélkérelmet because útlevélkérelmet begins with a vowel sound

This is similar to English a / an, but Hungarian uses it for the definite article instead of the indefinite one.

Saját kezű is a set phrase meaning written by one’s own hand or personally handwritten.

Literally:

• saját = own
• kezű = handed / of hand

But in real use, saját kezű aláírás means a signature that the person actually wrote themselves, not:

• typed
• stamped
• copied
• signed by someone else

In official language, this is very common because authorities often need a personally handwritten signature.

The -t is the accusative ending, which marks the direct object.

So:

• aláírás = signature
• aláírást = signature, as the thing being checked

In this sentence, the signature is what is being verified, so it takes the accusative.

Hungarian often marks direct objects more clearly than English does.

Hungarian often leaves out possessive words like your when the owner is obvious from the context.

In an official instruction or administrative sentence, a saját kezű aláírást naturally means something like:

• your handwritten signature
• the applicant’s handwritten signature

The context makes it clear whose signature is meant.

If someone wanted to be more explicit, they could say something like:

• az Ön saját kezű aláírását

But that is more specific and a bit heavier stylistically.

Yes. Hungarian present tense often covers both:

• we check
• we are checking

So ellenőrizzük can be understood according to context.

In this kind of administrative sentence, it usually means something like:

• We verify the signature
• The signature is checked
• We check the signature as part of the process

English often chooses a style that sounds natural rather than translating the tense word-for-word.

In official Hungarian, we is often used by an institution, office, or authority to describe what they do.

So Ellenőrizzük... can mean:

• We verify... from the point of view of the office
• The office checks...
• It is checked... in a more impersonal English style

This is very common in formal or bureaucratic language. It does not necessarily mean a specific group of people standing there together; it can mean the institution / the authority / the processing office.

Különben means otherwise or or else.

It introduces the consequence if the requirement in the first clause is not satisfied.

So the structure is:

• Ellenőrizzük a saját kezű aláírást
• különben
• elutasíthatják az útlevélkérelmet

In natural English logic:

• The handwritten signature is verified; otherwise, the passport application may be rejected.

It links the two clauses very naturally and often appears near the start of the second clause.

Elutasíthatják has several parts:

• elutasít = reject
• -hat / -het = can / may
• -ják = they, definite conjugation

So:

• elutasítják = they reject it
• elutasíthatják = they can reject it / they may reject it

Because the object is definite — az útlevélkérelmet — the verb uses the definite ending here too.

So the whole form means something like:

• they may reject it
• they can reject it

In Hungarian, 3rd person plural is often used when the subject is unspecified:

• they
• people
• the authorities
• someone in charge

So elutasíthatják az útlevélkérelmet does not necessarily mean some clearly named people. It often means:

• the authorities may reject the passport application
• the passport application may be rejected

This is one of the ways Hungarian expresses an idea that English often turns into a passive.

Again, the -t marks the direct object.

So:

• útlevélkérelem = passport application
• útlevélkérelmet = passport application, as the thing being rejected

It is the object of elutasíthatják.

Also, útlevélkérelem is a compound noun:

• útlevél = passport
• kérelem = application / request

So literally it is passport-application.

Not completely. Hungarian word order is flexible, but it is not random. It often depends on:

• what is new information
• what is emphasized
• what is contrasted
• what sounds neutral

This sentence has a fairly neutral official word order:

• Ellenőrizzük a saját kezű aláírást
• különben elutasíthatják az útlevélkérelmet

If you changed the order, the meaning would stay broadly similar, but the emphasis could shift.

For example:

• A saját kezű aláírást ellenőrizzük puts more attention on the signature itself.

So the sentence as given sounds natural and standard for formal written Hungarian.

Because both verbs have definite direct objects.

1. Ellenőrizzük a saját kezű aláírást

   • object: a saját kezű aláírást
   • definite because of a
   • so the verb is definite: ellenőrizzük

2. Elutasíthatják az útlevélkérelmet

   • object: az útlevélkérelmet
   • definite because of az
   • so the verb is definite: elutasíthatják

This is one of the most important features of Hungarian grammar for English speakers, because English verbs do not change form in this way depending on whether the object is definite.