1. An instrument; a proof in writing, such as a deed, bill of sale, or birth cer-tificate.
acte authentique (akt oh-tawn-teek). A deed executed with certain prescribed formalities, in the presence of a notary or other official.
acte de décès (akt d[schwa] day-say). A death certificate.
acte de francisation (akt d[schwa] frangk-[schwa]-za-syawn). A certificate confirming that a ship is of French nationality.
acte de mariage (akt d[schwa] mar-yahzh). A marriage certificate.
acte de naissance (akt d[schwa] nay-s[schwa]nts). A birth certificate.
acte de notoriété. A deposition made before a notary to record and preserve a claim, usu. to property. • Historically, most actes de notoriété were conducted to establish the identity and genealogy of a purported heir. The deposi-tions were subject to exclusion as hearsay. But an acte de notoriété may also appear in a chain of title. See United States v. Repentigny, 72 U.S. 211 (1866).
acte extrajudiciaire (akt eks-tr[schwa]-zhuu-dee-syair). A document served by a huissier at the request of one party on another party without legal proceedings. See HUISSIER(1).
l’acte de l’état civil (lakt d[schwa] lay-tah see-veel). A public document relating to status (e.g., birth, divorce, death).
2. An act; conduct.
acte d’héritier (akt day-ri-tyay). [French “act of an heir”] Conduct by an heir indicating an intent to accept the succession.
