Whenever any civil order book, probate order book, judgment docket, entry docket or other record book in which are kept any of the records and proceedings of any circuit, superior or criminal court in this state have been or shall be damaged by fire or otherwise to the extent, that, in the opinion of the judge or such court, it is necessary in order to preserve and perpetuate the contents thereof, to transcribe the same into a new book, such judge shall make an order to be entered in the civil order book of such court ordering and directing the clerk of such court to transcribe the contents of such damaged book into a new book of like size and form, to be provided for that purpose by the county in which such court is held.
IC 5-15-3-1