Title 44 — Public Printing and DocumentsRelease 119-73
§3312 Photographs or microphotographs of records considered as originals; certified reproductions admissible in evidence
Title 44 › Chapter CHAPTER 33— - DISPOSAL OF RECORDS › § 3312
Summary
Photos, microfilm, or digital copies of records made under the rules in section 3302 must count as the original documents in court, and certified copies of those images or files are allowed as evidence just like the originals.
Full Legal Text
Title 44, §3312
Public Printing and Documents — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Photographs, microphotographs of records, or digitized records made in compliance with regulations under section 3302 of this title shall have the same effect as the originals and shall be treated as originals for the purpose of their admissibility in evidence. Certified or authenticated reproductions of the photographs, microphotographs, or digitized records shall be admitted in evidence equally with the original photographs, microphotographs, or digitized records.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., § 378 (July 7, 1943, ch. 192, § 13, 57 Stat. 382).
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2014—Pub. L. 113–187 substituted “Photographs, microphotographs of records, or digitized records” for “Photographs or microphotographs of records” and substituted “photographs, microphotographs, or digitized records” for “photographs or microphotographs” in two places.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
44 U.S.C. § 3312
Title 44 — Public Printing and Documents
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73