Wyo. R. Evid. 901 (2026)

Rule 901. Requirement of authentication or identification.

(a) General provision. — The requirement of authentication or identification as a condition precedent to admissibility is satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in question is what its proponent claims.

(b) Illustrations. — By way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation, the following are examples of authentication or identification conforming with the require- ments of this rule:

(1) Testimony of Witness with Knowledge. — Testimony that a matter is what it is claimed to be;

(2) Nonexpert Opinion on Handwriting. — Nonexpert opinion as to the genu- ineness of handwriting, based upon familiarity not acquired for purposes of the litigation;

(3) Comparison by Trier or Expert Witness. — Comparison by the trier of fact or by expert witnesses with specimens which have been authenticated;

(4) Distinctive Characteristics and the Like. — Appearance, contents, substance, internal patterns, or other distinctive characteristics, taken in conjunction with circumstances;

(5) Voice Identification. — Identification of a voice, whether heard firsthand or through mechanical or electronic transmission or recording, by opinion based upon hearing the voice at any time under circumstances connecting it with the alleged speaker;

(6) Telephone Conversations. — Telephone conversations, by evidence that a call was made to the number assigned at the time by the telephone company to a particular person or business, if (A) in the case of a person, circumstances, including self-identification, show the person answering to be the one called, or (B) in the case of a business, the call was made to a place of business and the conversation related to business reasonably transacted over the telephone;

(7) Public Records or Reports. — Evidence that a writing authorized by law to be recorded or filed and in fact recorded or filed in a public office, or a purported public record, report, statement, or data compilation, in any form, is from the public office where items of this nature are kept;

(8) Ancient Documents or Data Compilation. — Evidence that a document or data compilation, in any form, (A) is in such condition as to create no suspicion concerning its authenticity, (B) was in a place where it, if authentic, would likely be, and (C) has been in existence 20 years or more at the time it is offered;

(9) Process or System. — Evidence describing a process or system used to produce a result and showing that the process or system produces an accurate result;

(10) Methods Provided by Statute or Rule. — Any method of authentication or identification provided by statute or by other rules prescribed by the Supreme Court of Wyoming.