The certificate of any public officer or his deputy that he has made diligent search of the registers, books, papers and records in his office and that no record or entry of a specified tenor was found to exist shall be competent evidence as to the nonexistence of such record or entry. Such certificate shall be proved or admitted as prima facie evidence in all courts and tribunals in this state by the attestation of such officer or his deputy under the seal of his office, if any, that the same is true, and if there is no seal, there shall be attached to such attestation the certificate of the clerk and the seal of the circuit or district court of the county where such officer resides that such attestation is genuine.
Structure Code of Alabama
Chapter 21 - Evidence and Witnesses.
Article 1 - General Provisions.
Division 2 - Competency and Admissibility.
Section 12-21-30 - Declarations of Deceased Persons as to Ancient Rights.
Section 12-21-31 - Written Settlements for Composition of Debts.
Section 12-21-32 - Books of Account Kept by Deceased Executor, Etc.
Section 12-21-33 - Parol to Show Writing Void.
Section 12-21-34 - Certificate of Public Officer on Nonexistence of Record or Entry of Such.
Section 12-21-35 - Certified Transcripts of Official Governmental Books, etc.; Duty to Furnish.
Section 12-21-36 - Certified Copies of Surveyor General's Books, Etc.
Section 12-21-37 - Private Legislative Acts.
Section 12-21-38 - Copies of Proceedings and Judgments of Foreign Courts Not of Record.
Section 12-21-39 - Handwriting - Evidence for Comparison.
Section 12-21-40 - Handwriting - Comparison of Disputed Writing With Genuine.
Section 12-21-41 - Evidence of Title to Lands.
Section 12-21-42 - Books of Account as Proof of Accounts.
Section 12-21-43 - Writings or Records Made in Regular Course of Business - Originals.