Notarial deed (acte authentique)
The acte authentique is the legal document signed before a notary that formalises and transfers ownership of a property from seller to buyer.
Unlike the compromis de vente, the notarial deed is final in legal terms: signing it marks the official transfer of ownership, with registration in the land register. On that occasion the notary checks the legal position of the property (mortgages, easements, compliance) and collects the duties due on the transaction.
It is on signature of the notarial deed that the buyer officially becomes the owner of the property and that the keys are usually handed over, unless the parties have agreed otherwise.