What does Rule 901 require to authenticate physical or documentary evidence?

• A. Sufficient chain of custody.
• B. A statement about how the item was created.
• C. Sufficient evidence that a reasonable jury could find it is what it purports to be; often through witnesses, distinctive characteristics, or chain of custody.
• D. A notarized affidavit.

Answer: (C)

Authentication under Rule 901 means you must present enough evidence for a reasonable juror to conclude the item is what the proponent claims it to be. This is not about guaranteeing perfection; it’s about showing a credible link between the item and its asserted source. The usual ways to satisfy this are through a witness with knowledge who can identify the item, distinctive or identifying characteristics that tie the item to its source, or a documented chain of custody that shows the item has remained in proper control from origin to presentation.

In practice, a witness might testify they recognized a document by a signature or seal, or an expert might compare handwriting or a mark to a known exemplar. A chain of custody shows the item has been handled reliably and not altered. This is why the best choice describes enough evidence for a reasonable jury to find authenticity, with these common avenues—witness testimony, distinctive features, or chain of custody—illustrated.

Choices that rely only on how the item was created, or on a notarized affidavit, or on chain of custody alone, don’t capture the full requirement. The rule focuses on sufficient proof to establish identity to the jury, which can be achieved through various means, not solely one form.