See DEEDS; OFFICIAL RECORDS AND REPORTS; RECORDED INSTRUMENTS.

FRE 803(15) excepts from the hearsay rule a statement in a document such as a mortgage that relates to property.  The statement must be relevant to the purpose of the mortgage, and dealings with the mortgaged property after the deed was created must not hav been inconsistent with the offered statement or the purpose of the mortgage.

Some states require that have been in existence for many years (generally twenty or thirty).{footnote} [2732]  Check Perry v. Parker, 141 A.2d 883 (N.H. 1958)(G). {/footnote}  Note that the legally operative language in such instruments is not hearsay.  See HEARSAY–Statements Having Legal Effect.

Authentication

In state courts, ancient documents which convey an interest in property, such as mortgages, carry a presumption of authenticity if they are established as being at least thirty years old, appear to be authentic on their face, and were kept or found in a place where an authentic document of that nature would likely be found.{footnote}Cal. § 643.{/footnote}  Some states also require proof of "proper custody" and that the document had been accepted as true by persons having an interest in the property.{footnote}Cal. § 1331.{/footnote}

Under FRE 901(b)(8), a document twenty years old is considered sufficiently authenticated so long as there is nothing unusual or suspicious about its condiiton or where it was found.  See ANCIENT DOCUMENTS; AUTHENTICATION.

Certified copy.  A certified copy of a mortgage from the public office in which it is recorded is deemed self-authenticating.  See OFFICIAL RECORDS AND REPORTS–Authentication: Certified Copies; RECORDED INSTRUMENTS.
 
Best Evidence Rule