Certification is a sworn statement from the records custodian that the records are true copies kept in the regular course of business. It supports admission under the business records exception without live custodian testimony.
Most jurisdictions provide a statutory certification form.
Alternative Names:
Certified Records, Records Certification
Why it Matters?
Certification is what allows records to be admitted without calling a custodian from each provider, which in a case with fifteen treaters would otherwise consume days of trial. The certification also states what was produced, which is the reference point when completeness is later questioned. Records obtained informally without certification frequently require a second request under subpoena before trial.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Why obtain certified records?
Do informally obtained records need recertification?
