Foreign official documents — Us Code Code § 1741

Us Code Code § 1741 — Foreign official documents. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 1741. Foreign official documents

An official record or document of a foreign country may be evidenced by a copy, summary, or excerpt authenticated as provided in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 948; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §92(b), 63 Stat. 103; Pub. L. 88–619, §5(a), Oct. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 996.)

Historical and Revision Notes

1948 Act

Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §695e (June 20, 1936, ch. 640, §6, 49 Stat. 1563).

Words "Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to alter, amend, or repeal section 689 of this title," at the end of section 695e of title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., were omitted. Although significant in the original Act, such words are unnecessary in a revision wherein both sections in question, as revised, are enacted at the same time.

See also Rule 44 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Section 695e–1 of title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., providing for certification of Vatican City Documents will be incorporated in title 22, U.S.C., Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Changes were made in phraseology.

1949 Act

This section corrects a typographical error in section 1741 of title 28, U.S.C.


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1964—Pub. L. 88–619 substituted "An official record or document of a foreign country may be evidenced by a copy, summary, or excerpt authenticated as provided in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure" for "A copy of any foreign document of record or on file in a public office of a foreign country or political subdivision thereof, certified by the lawful custodian thereof, shall be admissible in evidence when authenticated by a certificate of a consular officer of the United States resident in such foreign country, under the seal of his office, that the copy has been certified by the lawful custodian" in text, and "official documents" for "documents, generally; copies" in section catchline.

1949—Act May 24, 1949, corrected spelling of "admissible".

About This Section

28 U.S.C. § 1741 is part of Title 28 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 28 U.S.C. § 1741. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

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Statute text is transcribed from the official United States Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

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Common questions

What is the source of United States Code § 1741?

The text above is transcribed from the United States Code, the codified statutes of Us Code. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does United States Code § 1741 address?

It addresses "Foreign official documents". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is United States Code § 1741 still in force?

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