Atto pubblico (Public Deed)

A formal document executed by a notary or other public official, following legal protocols, that confers full legal validity and “public faith” to its contents. For real estate transactions, Italian law requires a public deed for the rogito (final sale contract) – meaning the contract must be drafted and authenticated by a notary . The notary read the deed to the parties and signs it together with them. An atto pubblico is distinguished from a private contract because it is directly enforceable and serves as definitive proof of the agreement. All compravendita (sale) deeds and donazione (gift) deeds of property are executed as atti pubblici in front of a notary.