AUTHENTIC ACT, civil law, contracts, evidence. The authentic act is that
which has been executed before a notary or other public officer authorized
to execute such functions, or which is testified by a public seal, or has
been rendered public by the authority of a competent magistrate, or which is
certified as being a copy of a public register. Nov. 73, c. 2; Code, 7, 52;
6; Id. 4, 21; Dig. 22, 4.
2. In Louisiana, the authentic act, as it relates to contracts, is that
which has been executed before a notary public or other officer authorized
to execute such functions, in presence of two witnesses, free, male, and
aged at least fourteen years, or of three witnesses, if the party be blind.
If the party does not know how to sign, the notary must cause him to affix
his mark to the instrument. Civil Code of Lo., art. 2231.
3. The authentic act is full proof of the agreement contained in it,
against the contracting parties and their. heirs or assigns, unless it be
declared and proved to be a forgery. Id. art. 2233. Vide Merl. Rep. h.t.