2A:82-20 - Records and certified transcripts of instruments as evidence; exceptions
2A:82-20. Records and certified transcripts of instruments as evidence; exceptions
The record of any instrument or of a copy of any instrument recorded in any public office of this state pursuant to law, or a transcript of such record, certified to be a true transcript by the officer in whose office the same is so recorded, under his hand and the seal of his office, if there is such a seal, shall be received in evidence in any court or proceeding in this state and be as good, effectual and available in law as if the original instrument were then and there produced and proved, except that the record or a transcript of the record of any instrument shall not be received in evidence:
a. When the instrument has been recorded in the office of any county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages of any county, either as an ancient deed or after the lapse of ten years from the date of the acknowledgment or proof thereof (the original whereof is required by law to be filed in such office), unless it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the court that the original instrument has been destroyed or lost or has been removed from the office of the clerk or register wherein by law it is required to be kept, and that it cannot be produced; or
b. When the original of such instrument is required to be produced under the provisions of section 2A:82-23 of this title.
L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.