A servo signal recording apparatus and servo-signal recording method for recording a servo signal on a magnetic tape that includes a magnetic layer having a data area capable of storing data and a servo area capable of storing a servo signal, the apparatus including a transportation unit for transporting the magnetic tape; a direct current (DC) erasing unit on a downstream side in a magnetic tape transportation direction that performs DC erasure to a surface layer portion of the magnetic layer by magnetization in a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape; and a servo signal recording unit on a downstream side of the DC erasing unit in the magnetic tape transportation direction, that rubs against the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, and records a servo signal in the servo area by magnetization in a direction opposite to a direction of the magnetization of the DC erasing unit.