Alabama § 12-21-71 - Authentication of Foreign State, Territory, or Country’s Public Records or Books; Effect Thereof.

§ 12-21-71. Authentication of Foreign State, Territory, or Country’s Public Records or Books; Effect Thereof.

All records and exemplifications of books which may be kept in any public office of any state or territory or of any country subject to the jurisdiction of the United States not appertaining to a court shall be proved or admitted in any court or office in any other state or territory or in any such country by the attestation of the keeper of said records or books and the seal of his office annexed, if there is a seal, together with a certificate of the presiding justice of the court of the county, parish or district in which such office may be kept, or of the governor or secretary of state, the chancellor or keeper of the great seal of the state, territory or country that the said attestation is in due form and by the proper officers. If the said certificate is given by the presiding justice of a court, it shall be further authenticated by the clerk of said court, who shall certify under his hand and the seal of his office that the said presiding justice is duly commissioned and qualified; or, if given by such governor, secretary, chancellor or keeper of the great seal, it shall be under the great seal of the state, territory or country aforesaid in which it is made. The said records and exemplifications so authenticated shall have such faith and credit given to them in every court and office within the United States as they may have by law or usage in the court or offices of the state, territory or country as aforesaid from which they are taken.