The records of the office of the state engineer are public records, shall remain on file in his office and shall be open to the inspection of the public at all times during business hours. Such records shall show all applications filed, with date of filing, and shall show in full all permits, certificates of completion of construction and licenses issued, together with all action thereon, and all action or decisions of the state engineer affecting any rights or claims to appropriate water. Certified copies of any records or papers on file in the office of the state engineer shall be evidence equally with the originals thereof; and when introduced as evidence shall be held as of the same validity as the originals.