All permits, decrees and documents granting, defining or limiting water rights and rights of owners of canals, reservoirs and works for conducting, storing or appropriating water in this state shall be recorded in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the property, canal, reservoir or work is situated. When so recorded, copies of such permits, decrees and documents certified by the county clerk shall be admitted in evidence in any court of the state as of equal validity with the original.