# MRE 902: Rule 902. Evidence That Is Self-Authenticating

> Michigan · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R902

## Section

- **Citation:** MRE 902
- **Heading:** Rule 902. Evidence That Is Self-Authenticating
- **Jurisdiction:** Michigan
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Michigan Court Rules / Michigan Rules of Evidence / MRE 902

## Text

The following items of evidence are self-authenticating; they require no extrinsic evidence of
authenticity in order to be admitted:
(1) Domestic Public Document That is Sealed and Signed. A document that bears:
(A) a seal purporting to be that of the United States; any state, district, commonwealth,
territory, or insular possession of the United States; the former Panama Canal Zone;
the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; a political subdivision of any of these
entities; or a department, agency, or officer of any entity named above; and
(B) a signature purporting to be an execution or attestation.
(2) Domestic Public Document That is Not Sealed but is Signed and Certified. A document
that bears no seal if:
(A) it bears the signature of an officer or employee of an entity named in subrule (1)(A);
and
(B) another public officer who has a seal and official duties within that same entity
certifies under seal—or its equivalent—that the signer has the official capacity and
that the signature is genuine.
(3) Foreign Public Document. A document that purports to be signed or attested by a person
who is authorized by a foreign country’s laws to do so. The document must be
accompanied by a final certification that certifies the genuineness of the signature and
official position of the signer or attester—or of any foreign official whose certificate of

effective on 1/28/2026

genuineness relates to the signature or attestation or is in a chain of certificates of
genuineness relating to the signature or attestation. The certification may be made by a
secretary of a United States embassy or legation; by a consul general, consul, vice consul,
or consular agent of the United States; or by a diplomatic or consular official of the
foreign country assigned or accredited to the United States
to the signature or attestation or is in a chain of certificates of
genuineness relating to the signature or attestation. The certification may be made by a
secretary of a United States embassy or legation; by a consul general, consul, vice consul,
or consular agent of the United States; or by a diplomatic or consular official of the
foreign country assigned or accredited to the United States. If all parties have been given
a reasonable opportunity to investigate the document’s authenticity and accuracy, the
court may, for good cause, either:
(A) order that it be treated as presumptively authentic without final certification; or
(B) allow it to be evidenced by an attested summary with or without final certification.
(4) Certified Copy of Public Record. A copy of an official record—or a copy of a document
that was recorded or filed in a public office as authorized by law—if the copy is certified
as correct by:
(A) the custodian or another person authorized to make the certification; or
(B) a certificate that complies with subrules (1), (2), or (3) or a Michigan or federal
statute.
(5) Official Publication. A book, pamphlet, or other publication purporting to be issued by a
public authority.
(6) Newspapers and Periodicals. Printed material purporting to be a newspaper or periodical.
(7) Trade Inscription and the Like. An inscription, sign, tag, or label purporting to have been
affixed in the course of business and indicating origin, ownership, or control.
(8) Acknowledged Document. A document accompanied by a certificate of acknowledgment
that is lawfully executed by a notary public or another officer who is authorized to take
acknowledgments.
(9) Commercial Paper and Related Documents. Commercial paper, a signature on it, and
related documents, to the extent allowed by general commercial law.
(10) Presumptions Under Law. A signature, document, or anything else that a Michigan or
federal statute declares to be presumptively or prima facie genuine or authentic.
ry public or another officer who is authorized to take
acknowledgments.
(9) Commercial Paper and Related Documents. Commercial paper, a signature on it, and
related documents, to the extent allowed by general commercial law.
(10) Presumptions Under Law. A signature, document, or anything else that a Michigan or
federal statute declares to be presumptively or prima facie genuine or authentic.
(11) Certified Domestic or Foreign Record of a Regularly Conducted Activity. The original
or a copy of a domestic or foreign record that meets the requirements of Rule 803(6)(A)-
(C), as shown by a certification of the custodian or another qualified person that complies
with a Michigan statute or a rule prescribed by the Supreme Court. Before the trial or
hearing, the proponent must give an adverse party reasonable written notice of the intent
to offer the record—and must make the record and certification available for inspection—
so that the party has a fair opportunity to challenge them.

## Nearby sections

- [MRE 101 Rule 101. Scope; Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R101.md)
- [MRE 102 Rule 102. Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R102.md)
- [MRE 103 Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R103.md)
- [MRE 104 Rule 104. Preliminary Questions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R104.md)
- [MRE 105 Rule 105. Limiting Evidence That is Not Admissible Against Other Parties or for Other](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R105.md)
- [MRE 106 Rule 106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R106.md)
- [MRE 201 Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R201.md)
- [MRE 202 Rule 202. Judicial Notice of Law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R202.md)
- [MRE 301 Rule 301. Presumptions in Civil Cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R301.md)
- [MRE 302 Rule 302. Presumptions in Criminal Cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R302.md)
- [MRE 401 Rule 401. Test for Relevant Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R401.md)
- [MRE 402 Rule 402. General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R402.md)
- [MRE 403 Rule 403. Excluding Relevant Evidence for Prejudice, Confusion, Waste of Time, or Other](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R403.md)
- [MRE 404 Rule 404. Character Evidence; Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R404.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MI_MRE_R902. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.