(a) Authentication of Copy. An official record or an entry therein, when admissible for any purpose, may be evidenced by an official publication thereof or by a copy attested by the officer having the legal custody of the record, or by the officer’s deputy. If the office in which the record is kept is outside of this state but within the United States or within a territory or insular possession subject to the dominion of the United States, a certificate that such officer has the custody of the record shall be made by a judge of a court of record of the district or political subdivision in which the record is kept, authenticated by the seal of the court, or may be made by any public officer having official duties in the district or political subdivision in which the record is kept, authenticated by the seal of his or her office. If the office in which the record is kept is in a foreign state or country, such certificate may be made by a secretary of embassy or legation, consul general, consul, vice consul, or consular agent or by any officer in the foreign service of the United States stationed in the foreign state or country in which the record is kept, and authenticated by the seal of his or her office. (b) Proof of Lack of Record. A written statement signed by an officer having the custody of an official record or by the officer’s deputy that after diligent search no record or an exact copy of a record is found to exist in the records of that office is admissible as evidence that the records of that office contain no such record or entry, provided that if the record is kept without the state, the statement shall be accompanied by a certificate as required by subdivision (a) of this rule. (c) Other Proof. This rule does not prevent the proof of official records or of entry or lack of entry therein by any method authorized by any applicable statute or by by any other method authorized by law.
