Foreign public documents.
1. A document purporting to be executed or attested in his official capacity by a person authorized by the laws of a foreign country to make the execution or attestation is presumed to be authentic if it is accompanied by a final certification as to the genuineness of the signature and official position:
(a) Of the executing or attesting person; or
(b) Of any foreign official whose certificate of genuineness of signature and official position relates to the execution or attestation or is in a chain of certificates of genuineness of signature and official position relating to the execution or attestation.
2. A final certification may be made by a secretary of embassy or legation, consul general, consul, vice consul or consular agent of the United States, or a diplomatic or consular official of the foreign country assigned or accredited to the United States.
3. If reasonable opportunity has been given to all parties to investigate the authenticity and accuracy of an official document the court may, for good cause shown, order that it be treated as presumptively authentic without final certification or permit it to be evidenced by an attested summary with or without final certification.
Last modified: February 26, 2006