§ 25-1284.Official records; signature of custodian; genuineness presumed, when.
Article 12: Evidence and Witnesses · Not amended since original codification · Last verified July 22, 2026
Full Text of § 25-1284
Source
R.S.1867, Code § 412, p. 462; R.S.1913, § 7977; C.S.1922, § 8918; C.S.1929, § 20-1284; R.S.1943, § 25-1284.
Plain-English Summary
Sections 25-1280, 25-1282, and 25-1283 all rely on an officer’s certificate, for a certified copy of a record, for proof that a record cannot be found, or for a land office receipt. Section 25-1284 removes one potential hurdle to using those certificates: the officer’s signature is presumed genuine until the contrary is shown.
That presumption saves a party from independently authenticating a public officer’s signature every time one of these certificates comes into evidence. The presumption is not conclusive; a challenger can still contest genuineness, but until someone does, the certificate is treated as validly signed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sections does this presumption of genuine signature apply to?
What does the presumption cover?
That the signature of the certifying officer is genuine.
Can the presumption be rebutted?
Yes, the presumption holds only until the contrary is shown.
Why does this presumption matter in practice?
It saves a party from having to separately prove a public officer’s signature is authentic before the certificate can be used.