The State Superintendent of Education and each of the several city and county superintendents of education may cause any records, documents, books, papers or writing made, acquired or received as required by law to be photographed or microphotographed, on plate or film. Such photographs, microfilms or prints made therefrom, when duly authenticated by the custodian thereof, shall have the same force and effect at law as the original record, or of a record made by any other legally authorized means, and may be offered in like manner and shall be received in evidence in any court where such original record, or record made by other legally authorized means, could have been so introduced and received.
Ala. Code § 16-1-3 (1975)