N.D. Cent. Code § 31-08-06

Every instrument conveying or affecting real property which has been acknowledged or proved and certified as provided by the laws of this state, together with the certificate of acknowledgment or proof, may be read in evidence in an action or proceeding without any further proof. The record of such instrument, or a duly authenticated copy of the record, may be read in evidence with the same effect as the original, on proof by affidavit or otherwise that the original is not in the possession or under the control of the party producing such record or copy.