Definitions from Black's Law Dictionary: 2nd Edition and Ballentine's Law Dictionary as are available for each term in each dictionary.
  • Black's Law Dictionary: 2nd Edition

    In French law, denotes a document or formal, solemn writing, embodying a legal attestation that something has been done, corresponding to one sense or use of the English word "act." Thus, actes de naissance are the certificates of birth, and must contain the day, hour, and place of birth, together with the sex and intended Christian name of the child, and the names of the parents and of the witnesses. Actes de mariage are the marriage certificates, and contain names, professions, ages, and places of birth and domicile of the two persons marrying, and of their parents ; also the consent of these latter, and the mutual agreements of the intended husband and wife to take each other for better and worse, together with the usual attestations. Actes de ddeCs are the certificates of death, which are required to be drawn up before any one may be buried. Les actes de V6tat civil are public documents. Brown.
    —Acte authentique. A deed, executed with certain prescribed formalities, in the presence of a notary, mayor, greffier, huissier, or other functionary qualified to act in the place in which it la drawn up. Argles, Fr. Merc. Law, 50.
    —Acte de francisatiou. The certificate of registration of a ship, by virtue of which its French nationality is established
    —Acte d'he-ritier. Act of inheritance. Any action or fact on the part of an heir which manifests his intention to accept the succession ; the acceptance may be express or tacit. Duverger-i
    —Acte extrajudiciaire. A document served by a huissier, at the demand of one party upon another party, without legal proceedings.