Guides

How to Request Court Transcripts

Getting a copy of a court transcript can be confusing if you’ve never done it before. A court transcript is simply the written record of everything that was said in court, whether during a trial, sentencing, or hearing. Court transcripts are created either by a court reporter or from an audio recording of the proceedings.

The steps for requesting court transcripts vary from one location to another. Each court, whether local, state, or federal, has its own process, request forms, and fees. In some jurisdictions, you’ll work with court reporters, while in others you may need to go through the clerk’s office or a designated online transcript service.

The basics of getting a court transcript typically require knowing what court transcripts are, if they are open to the public, how to determine where to request them, and the typical costs and timelines associated with obtaining them.

What Are Court Transcripts?

Court transcripts are written records of everything said out loud during a legal proceeding. Think of them as the official script of what happened in the courtroom, word for word. They come from a court reporter, who listens carefully and types everything spoken by the judge, lawyers, witnesses, and others.

Additionally, court transcripts are typically created by transcribing an audio recording. Court transcripts enable lawyers, judges, and the public to review what was said during a case, prepare appeals, or create records of proceedings.

It is easy to mix up court transcripts with other court records. Here is how they are different:

Type of Record	What it is
Court Transcript	Verbatim (word-for-word) written record of spoken courtroom proceedings
Docket	Dockets are summary lists of all documents filed in a case, such as motions, orders, and dates. Dockets tell us what happened in court, not what was said.
Minute Entry	It is a brief note written by the clerk summarizing the result of what happened in court—for example, a hearing held or a motion denied.
Audio Recording	It is the raw sound file of the court session, sometimes used instead of a transcript.

Court transcripts come from many types of hearings. The following are court transcripts examples:

Arraignments: the initial court appearance where charges are read.
Motion Hearings: this is when a lawyer argues over legal issues before a trial.
Trials: trials are the complete courtroom proceedings, with opening statements, cross-exams, witnesses, evidence, and closings.
Sentencing Hearings: what the judge and parties said when the penalty for the offense was imposed.
Appeal Transcripts: part of the trial court record needed for appeal at a higher court.

Not every court session produces a transcript. Sometimes a hearing doesn’t have a written transcript because no one typed it up at the time. In other cases, the court may only keep an audio record or restrict access altogether. Generally, a court transcript may not exist under the following scenarios:

No court reporter was present: some routine hearings are only summarized in minutes or recorded as audio, and no typed transcript exists unless specifically ordered.
Audio-only record: the court keeps only an audio file; you’d need someone to transcribe it.
Sealed or restricted proceedings: court transcripts of juvenile matters, grand jury sessions, or sealed hearings may be unavailable without a court order.
Lost or not prepared: court transcripts of very old cases or low-priority hearings that were never transcribed.

Court case transcripts are written scripts of everything said in the courtroom, laid out clearly, speaker by speaker. It is formatted in an official manner, allowing anyone reading it to follow who spoke, when, and what was decided.

A simple court transcript usually includes the following fields:

Court name and location
Case number and caption (party names)
Date and time of proceeding
Names of the judge or magistrate and attorneys
Court reporter or transcriber name
Type of proceeding
Page numbers and line numbers
The word-for-word text of the spoken words labeled by the speaker (judge, counsel, witness)
Certification block (reporter’s signature and date) if it is a certified transcript

Are Court Transcripts Public Record?

In most cases, yes, court transcripts are public records. Courts generally start from a presumption of public access: transcripts of hearings and trials are treated as part of the public case record. This means that anyone may request a copy of what was said in court, helping to keep the legal system open and accountable.

However, there are some exceptions where transcripts are not open to the public. Some court transcripts are sealed or restricted to protect sensitive information or maintain privacy. These include:

Juvenile cases and family court matters: records in juvenile court, family-law proceedings (such as custody or divorce), or matters involving minors are typically restricted from the public.
Sealed matters: if a judge has sealed a case or hearing, the transcript is kept out of public view until the court orders otherwise.
Mental-health and medical information: portions of transcripts that include protected medical or mental health details are typically sealed or redacted.
Victims' identities in criminal cases: court transcripts that contain victims’ identifying information may be protected or redacted under victims’ privacy rules.
Redactions and protective orders: Judges may order parts of transcripts to be redacted to protect privacy or safety in some public cases.

Access to court transcripts varies depending on the type of court in which the proceedings took place.

Municipal Courts: municipal courts are smaller courts and may not record every hearing or may limit access. Some only keep short summaries in the minutes or just an audio recording. If you want a full transcript, you may need to request it and sometimes pay an additional fee to have it typed.
State Courts: in most state trial and appeal courts, transcripts are considered public records unless a judge seals them. Each state sets its own rules on how you may order transcripts, the time it takes to receive them, and the cost of obtaining the documents.
Federal Courts: at the federal courts, transcripts are presumed to be public records and are open to the public. However, judges may still block or limit access in sensitive cases. In such instances, the transcripts are only available to parties in the case until officially released.

While the general rule is that court transcripts are public records, certain transcripts are exempt from disclosure. Sometimes a transcript is created, but only the parties or their lawyers may access it initially– usually so that redactions can be made – before it’s released to the public.

How to Get Court Transcripts (Step-by-Step: Online & In Person)

If you’ve ever wondered how to get court transcripts, the good news is that the process is straightforward, especially when you know what information to collect and where to look for the transcripts. The most straightforward way to obtain trial transcripts is to contact the circuit clerk for the court where the proceedings were held. The exact steps to get court case transcripts vary by court. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get any court transcript.

How to Get Court Transcripts online and in person

STEP 1: Gather your basic case information.

Here is a checklist of information you should have ready before calling, emailing, or filling out an online form.

Case number
Party names (plaintiff/defendant)
Date of hearing
Judge’s name or department
Type of proceeding (trial, sentencing, motion hearing)

Without at least some of this information, the clerk or reporter may not be able to locate the transcript.

STEP 2: Understand Your Role in the Process.

Parties or Attorneys in the Case: parties to the case and their legal representatives usually have the broadest access to court transcripts. In many courts, transcripts are first made available to the parties and their attorneys before being released to the public.

Member of the Public: you can still order court case transcripts. Almost anyone can order and get court transcripts without a lawyer by following a few simple steps. However, certain cases, such as juvenile matters, sealed hearings, or sensitive hearings, may be restricted. You might need to wait until redactions are complete, or in some cases, you may not be able to access the transcripts at all.

STEP 3: How to get Court Transcripts Online.

Find the court’s official website. Do not use third-party or lookalike sites.
Look for links labeled “Records,” “Transcripts,” "Court Reporting,” or “Order a Transcript” to open the case search or transcript request page.
Many states and federal courts offer online forms or portals to order documents.
- Federal courts typically use PACER for ordering court transcripts.
- Some state courts have a transcript request form you can fill out and submit electronically.
Fill out the request form with your case information from step 1.
Choose your preferred delivery method: either PDF email, paper copy, or certified copy.
Pay the required fee online.
You’ll receive confirmation of receipt by email, along with an estimated time for receiving the transcripts.

STEP 4: How to get Court Transcripts In Person.

Know the court where the case was tried.
Call or visit the court clerk’s office, using the phone or address listed on the official court website.
Inquire about the availability of the transcript, the fees, and the payment method.
Obtain a transcript request form. You may receive it in person or by email.
Complete the form with your details gathered in step 1.
Pay the required deposit.
The reporter will give you a timeline for when the transcripts will be ready.
The clerk or reporter will contact you as soon as the transcript is ready. You’ll receive the transcript in the format you requested, either as a PDF, a printed copy, or on a CD/USB drive.

Cost, Turnaround, and Legit Ways to Get Court Transcripts for Free (or Cheaper)

Getting a court transcript is not free, and the cost can add up quickly depending on what you need and how quickly you need it. Courts and court reporters typically set fees by the page, and additional services can increase the price. Expedited service for transcripts will incur additional costs, and standard delivery can take several weeks or months. You can expect the following type of fee structure:

Per-page pricing: refers to the cost of obtaining a court transcript per page. It could be standard or expedited. Standard processing is less expensive and takes longer to receive the document. Expedited processing is fast, usually within a few days, but it is more expensive.
Certification fees: this is the fee for an official, signed transcript. There is usually an added fee for certification.
Delivery fees: it is the cost of mailing, courier, or secure electronic delivery.
Additional charges: you may incur extra fees for rough drafts or real-time feeds during trials. Most court reporters do not accept personal checks for transcripts and require payment in another method.

Every courthouse and reporter sets their own rates; the final cost depends on where your case was heard, the length of the proceeding, and whether you need it to be rushed or certified. However, these are standard ranges to give you a realistic guide on the expected fees. Be sure to check the court or reporter for exact rates.

Ordinary transcripts: about $2–$5 per page
Expedited transcript: about $4-$15 per page
Daily: reporters usually charge a premium of about $6–$50 per page
Flat fees: reporters sometimes have a minimum charge, say $50–$150, for short hearings
Certification fees: courts or reporters may charge $0.50–$3 per page or a flat fee to certify a transcript.
Delivery fees: shipping, scanning, or electronic portal fees may add up to $50 to your cost

The speed at which you get the court transcript depends on how long the hearing lasts and how busy the court reporter is. Generally, the more you are willing to pay, the faster you get the transcript. Because timelines vary across courts, it is best to ask the court reporter for an estimated completion date. However, here is an estimated timeline of how long it takes to get the court case transcripts.

Standard Orders: it usually takes 2–6 weeks, depending on the length of the hearing and the reporter backlog.
Expedited Orders: These orders are processed within 3-10 business days. It is ideal when you need the document quickly.
Daily Service: During a trial, some reporters can provide same-day or next-day transcripts.
Rough Drafts/Uncertified: You can get the uncertified rough version of court transcripts within a few days.

Ever wondered how to get court transcripts for free? If cost is a barrier, there are legitimate ways to obtain transcripts for a lower cost or even for free. You can choose any of the following approaches:

Ask for only the excerpt you need. Order specific pages to cut costs drastically as opposed to ordering the full transcript.
Request an electronic PDF, not printed pages. Many reporters provide PDFs at no extra charge or for a small fee.
Check whether the court posts transcripts or audio online. Some appellate courts or high-profile hearings publish transcripts for free. Additionally, local courts may post audio recordings you can listen to,
Many courthouses have free public access terminals where you can listen to recorded hearings. You can take notes or transcribe a short portion yourself.
If you only need to know the outcome or basic rulings, obtain the minutes or the dockets. They are usually free.
If you are the defendant or appellant and cannot afford the transcript, courts sometimes provide transcripts at reduced costs or for free for indigent litigants. This may require submitting paperwork and obtaining approval from a judge.
If the audio exists, transcribe only the portion you need.
Negotiate a payment plan with the reporter. Some reporters may accept deposits and installment payments.
Use legal aid, law school clinics, or pro bono attorneys. These organizations typically obtain transcripts for clients at low or no cost.
Request a copy from opposing counsel if they have one. Attorneys usually obtain transcripts and may share or sell a copy for less than the reporter’s fee.

FAQs About Court Transcripts

Here are quick, practical answers to common questions about court transcripts.

How do I get court transcripts online if I don’t know the case number?

Use the court’s online case search tool. You can search by party names, hearing dates, or the judge’s name. Once you’ve found the case, follow the transcript request steps on the court’s website.

How to get court transcripts for free?

You can get access to court case transcripts at no cost by using the public access terminals at the courthouse to read the transcript. Additionally, you can request the audio, use legal aid, or apply for a fee waiver.

What if no transcript exists? Can I order from Audio?

Yes. If the court made an audio recording of the hearing but didn’t produce a transcript, you may request the audio file or pay to have it transcribed by a certified reporter or a transcription service.

How long does it take to receive transcripts (standard vs. expedited)?

Standard orders typically take 2–6 weeks to process. Expedited service typically takes 1-10 business days.

Do I need a certified transcript for an appeal?

Yes. Appeals require a certified transcript — an official version signed by the court reporter. Certified transcripts are the official record for appeals.