1.  Authentication

Baptismal certificates have been held properly authenticated under the the rule for ancient documents, where they were over twenty years old, did not show signs of alteration and were found in the church where the baptism occurred.{footnote}Matusziewski v. Pancoast, 526 N.E.2d 80 (Ohio App. 1985) (applying Ohio Evid. R. 901(B)(8)).{/footnote}

2.  As Hearsay

Baptismal certificates are specifically excepted from the hearsay rule under FRE 803(12).{footnote}FRE 803 provides, in pertinent part:

The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the declarant is available as a witness:

   * * *

   (12) Marriage, baptismal, and similar certificates.  Statements of fact contained in a certificate that the maker performed a marriage or other ceremony or administered a sacrament, made by a clergyman, public official, or other person authorized …{/footnote}  One court has also applied the exception for records  of relgious organizations, FRE 803(11),{footnote}FRE 803(11) except from the hearsay rule:

Statements of births, marriages, divorces, deaths, legitimacy, ancestry, relationship by blood or marriage, or other similar facts of personal or family history, contained in a regularly kept record of a religious organization.{/footnote} and the hearsay exception for ancient documents, FRE 803(16).{footnote}Matusziewski v. Pancoast, 526 N.E.2d 80 (Ohio App. 1985) (applying Ohio Evid. R. 803(11), (12) and (16)).{/footnote}  See also ANCIENT DOCUMENTS.