Akte

Akte is a German noun that designates a collection of documents assembled to describe or determine aspects of a person, project, or case. In administrative and archival contexts, an Akte may be a physical folder of papers or a digital dossier stored in an information system. The term is used across law, public administration, medicine, and business to refer to a case file or dossier.

Common types include die Personalakte (employee file), die Patientenakte (medical record), die Kundenakte (customer file), and die Standesamtsakte (civil registry record). A typical Akte has a unique Aktenzeichen (file number) and contains documents, forms, correspondence, and notes that document history, decisions, and status.

In the digital age, Akten management emphasizes access controls, confidentiality, and audit trails. Privacy laws shape who may view or modify an Akte and how long it may be retained. After a retention period, records may be archived or disposed of according to policy.

In historical and genealogical research, Akten from archives and civil or church records provide essential information about individuals and events, often organized into archival collections (Aktendatenbestände).