In the context of Rule 1005, which condition describes how a copy may prove content?

• A. The copy must be certified as correct in accordance with Rule 902(4) or testified to be correct by a witness who has compared it with the original
• B. The copy must be a photograph
• C. The copy must be the original signed by a notary
• D. The copy must be filed with the court.

Answer: (C)

Rule 1005 allows the contents of a public record to be proven by a copy, but only if the copy is properly authenticated. Authentication can happen in two reliable ways: the copy is certified as correct under Rule 902(4), or a witness testifies that the copy is a true and accurate copy of the original after comparing it with the original document. This standard ensures the copy is trustworthy and eliminates the need to continually produce the original document in court. A photograph or just any copy isn’t enough to prove content because it may not capture or reflect the original accurately, and simply being the original signed by a notary doesn’t establish the necessary authentication of the copy’s contents under Rule 1005. Filing with the court doesn’t by itself prove the content of the document.