1. In your legal system, are there acts which fall within the notion of an authentic instrument as defined in the European Union regulations?<br>[‘authentic instrument’ means a document which has been formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument in a Member State and the authenticity of which: <br>(I) relates to the signature and the content of the authentic instrument; and <br>(II) has been established by a public authority or other authority empowered for that purpose by the Member State of origin.]

Yes.

If so, what are they? Are these only notarial acts or also acts of other authorities?

This definition describes notarial acts and authenticated private instruments (private documents drafted by the parties according to a set of highly formal rules, examined and approved by the notary, rendering the same legal effects as notarial acts) under Croatian Law.

Certain other documents could fall within the scope of the definition as well, when prescribed so by the law – e.g. judicial protocols and protocols made by non judicial authorities on certain declarations.

Public wills can serve as an example of non notarial authentic instruments: Art. 32-33 and 146-150 of the Croatian Inheritance Act (https://www.zakon.hr) prescribe that public wills can be drafted by Municipal courts (judges or judicial counsels), civil law notaries and (for Croatian nationals abroad) diplomatic-consular representatives, all in line with the definition provided by the Successions Regulation.

Authentic instruments issued by authorities other than the civil law notary are an exception and exist only if prescribed.