Whenever any officer or employee of the State or of any county, city or town is required or authorized by law, or otherwise, to record or copy any document, plat, paper or instrument in writing, he may do such recording or copying by any photostatic, photographic or other mechanical process which produces a clear, accurate and permanent copy or reproduction of the original document, plat, paper or instrument in writing.
16 M.R.S. § 455