PURPOSE: To provide a method for forming an oxide passivity film consisting essentially of chromium oxide where oxide film passivity film consisting essentially of the chromium oxide can be easily formed and to provide the stainless steel.

CONSTITUTION: Water contact is removed from the surface of the stainless steel by executing the electrolytic polishing, the composite electrolytic polishing and the fluidized grain polishing of the stainless steel, followed by executing the baking. Then, the heat treatment at the temperature of 300°C-600°C is executed in the gas atmosphere of the gaseous hydrogen or the mixture of the gaseous hydrogen and the inert gas containing oxygen less than 4ppm or the water less than 500ppb. This oxide of stainless steel is the oxide passivity film consisting essentially of chromium oxide where the thickness is not less than 5nm and the ratio of Cr/Fe (hereinafter referred to as atomic percentage:) on the outermost surface is not less than 1 or more.