The Secretary of State may record by photostatic or photographic method any instrument, paper or document required by law to be recorded by him or her, and he or her may give photostatic or photographic copies of the same, required by law to be filed or recorded with him or her, upon tender of his or her legal fees. Such copies, duly certified by him or her, shall be competent evidence in court and have the same force as the originals thereof would have had, if produced in court.