Acknowledgement of debt
To keep a written record of a loan between individuals.
The template text in French (the one on the document) — « Reconnaissance de dette »
The document starts with « Je soussigné(e) [your name], born on…, residing at…, » (I, the undersigned)
reconnais devoir à [Prénom NOM du prêteur], demeurant [adresse], la somme de [montant en chiffres] euros ([montant en lettres] euros), qu'il ou elle m'a prêtée le [date].
Je m'engage à rembourser cette somme au plus tard le [date], [en une fois / par versements de montant euros par mois].
Translation (to understand)
acknowledge owing [First name SURNAME of the lender], residing at [address], the sum of [amount in figures] euros ([amount in words] euros), which he or she lent me on [date].
I undertake to repay this sum by [date] at the latest, [in one payment / in instalments of amount euros per month].
When to use it? Money lent between friends or family: each keeps a signed copy.
Good to know: write the amount in figures and in words; ideally copy the amount in words by hand next to the signature. In France, loans above €5,000 must be declared to the tax office (form 2062).