Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, § 76 (2026)

Admissibility of authenticated records of governmental departments

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 76. Copies of books, papers, documents and records in any department of the commonwealth or of any city or town, authenticated by the attestation of the officer who has charge of the same, shall be competent evidence in all cases equally with the originals thereof; provided, that, except in the case of books, papers, documents and records of the department of public utilities or the department of telecommunications and cable in matters relating to common carriers, and of the registry of motor vehicles, the genuineness of the signature of such officer shall be attested by the secretary of the commonwealth under its seal or by the clerk of such city or town, as the case may be.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 27 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1926–2025 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Deramo, 762 N.E.2d 815 (Mass. 2002).

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Commonwealth v. Deramo, 762 N.E.2d 815 (Mass. 2002). · cites it 5× “He also contended that the trial judge erroneously admitted in evidence copies of registry of motor vehicles (registry) records without the authentication required by G. L. c. 233, § 76, and that, without the erroneously admitted records, there was insufficient evidence to…”

Commonwealth v. Weeks, 927 N.E.2d 1023 (Mass. App. Ct. 2010). · cites it 3× “1 The defendant’s trial counsel objected on the grounds that introduction of the certified convictions violated his Sixth Amendment confrontation rights as recognized in Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36 (2004) (Crawford).”

Commonwealth v. Royal, 89 Mass. App. Ct. 168 (Mass. App. Ct. 2016). “233, § 78, as well as pursuant to G. L. c. 233, § 76.” Commonwealth v. Ellis, 79 Mass.”

Commonwealth v. Martinez-Guzman, 920 N.E.2d 322 (Mass. App. Ct. 2010). · cites it 2× “The judge suspended the trial and requested that counsel for each side provide a memorandum regarding whether a stamped signature of the registrar qualifies as an attestation under G. L. c. 233, § 76. After both sides complied with the judge’s request, the judge ruled that the…”

Commonwealth v. Ellis, 945 N.E.2d 983 (Mass. App. Ct. 2011). · cites it 2× “3 We first observe the good reasons for the defendant not to have argued, below or on appeal, the admissibility of exhibit A-l, the certified conviction record.”

Commonwealth v. Crapps, 835 N.E.2d 275 (Mass. App. Ct. 2005). · cites it 2× “1 After the defendant was convicted of the underlying drug distribution offense, the Commonwealth proceeded to trial on the second offense portion of *916 the indictment and introduced in evidence a copy of a criminal docket sheet showing the defendant’s prior conviction for…”

Commonwealth v. Shangkuan, 943 N.E.2d 466 (Mass. App. Ct. 2011). “The Commonwealth, relying on G. L. c. 233, § 76, 6 and Mass.R.Crim.P. 40, 378 Mass.”

Commonwealth v. Rauseo, 740 N.E.2d 1053 (Mass. App. Ct. 2001). “3 Testifying on cross-examination, the wife stated that on May 15, “There was a modification, but I’ve never seen it in writing, for telephone contact.” As proof of a valid order, the Commonwealth offered exhibit one, a copy of the 209A order that had been certified as “a true…”

Commonwealth v. Norman, 87 Mass. App. Ct. 344 (Mass. App. Ct. 2015). “Although the Commonwealth introduced the suspension notice through the testimony of the RMV branch manager, the transcript appears to reveal that the copy of the document was accompanied by a certification/attestation in accordance with G. L. c. 233, § 76, that the RMV provided…”

Adoption of Astrid, 700 N.E.2d 275 (Mass. App. Ct. 1998). “See also G. L. c. 233, §§ 76, 79,19A, 79J. 5. Parents’ threats and intimidation.”

Commonwealth v. Dias, 441 N.E.2d 266 (Mass. App. Ct. 1982). “It would be better if the Registrar’s form of attestation, which referred to “the annexed instrument,” were to refer “to the annexed instrument or instruments” in the alternative, but the judge quite rightly concluded that the requirements of G. L. c. 233, § 76, had been met. 4.…”

Avila v. DuPont, 180 N.E. 124 (Mass. 1932). “These exhibits were attested by the registrar as required by G. L. c. 233, § 76, and evidence respecting the same was introduced by the testimony of a clerk employed at the registry of motor vehicles.”

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