§ 208. Books and records. 1. Whenever any public record, book, map or paper has become obliterated or unfit for further public inspection and use, the board of supervisors, upon a certificate of the county judge or a supreme court justice of the judicial district to the effect that transcripts or copies should be made and certified for future public inspection and use, shall direct and provide for such transcripts or copies to be made by the officer having custody thereof. Upon certification by such county judge or supreme court justice that the same have been examined, and the manner, contents and form thereof are approved, such certified transcripts or copies shall be deemed to take the place of the originals for all purposes of public inspection, use and evidence.

2. Except as otherwise provided by law and subject to reasonable rules and regulations of the officer having custody thereof, all records, books, maps or other papers recorded or filed in any county office, shall be open to public inspection, and upon request, copies shall be prepared and certified; and, except where another fee is prescribed by law, such officer upon the payment of a fee of twenty cents for each folio, shall furnish such certified copy. Upon request and after diligent search, if no record be found, such officer shall be entitled to receive a fee of one dollar for certification thereof.

3. In addition to the provisions of the real property law, each board of supervisors, by resolution, may authorize the purchase and installation of equipment to photograph or microphotograph, or otherwise reproduce upon film such records, maps or other papers as may be deemed advisable; and may provide for the purchase of supplies and necessary files for the preservation of the same. When duly certified, such reproduction shall be deemed an original record for all purposes of public inspection, use and evidence; and a transcript, exemplified or certified copy shall for all purposes be deemed such a transcript, exemplified or certified copy of the original. When inconsistent with the use of entry in record books, such record books may be dispensed with. The fee shall be twenty cents for each folio, together with the fee for certification or exemplification thereof.

4. Each officer, so far as practicable, shall complete all incomplete books and records of which he shall have custody and control by signing and certifying such completion in his own name and giving the date thereof. The county clerk shall complete only such records and minutes in actions or proceedings as are ordered completed by the respective county or supreme court having jurisdiction over such action or proceeding.

5. Each officer shall execute and deliver all necessary deeds, releases, discharges, ratifications or other documents and papers to fulfill any duty imposed by law upon his predecessor in office. Any liability of a sheriff resulting from the execution and delivery of a document required by law on behalf of a predecessor in office shall be determined to be the liability of the sheriff during whose term of office the error, mistake or cause of damage arose.