Requesting Court Transcripts and Electronic Recordings

Court proceedings are recorded either by a court reporter or taped electronically. Depending on the recording of a specific proceeding, a paper transcript or a copy of an electronic recording may be available upon request.

What is a court transcript?

A court transcript is a written, typewritten or printed copy of the court record that is captured by a clerks minute order and either court reporter’s notes, electronic recording or an electronic recorder. Click here to jump to the section of this page about obtaining a court transcript.

What is a court recording?

A court recording is an alternative method to record Court proceedings by using an electronic recording device (Government Code Section 69957). See section directly below for information on obtaining an electronic court recording.

NOTE: Recordings of Small Claims Hearings do not fall within the guidelines of Government Code Section 69957. The Court recordings for Small Claims Hearings are for Judicial note-taking purposes only.

COURT RECORDINGS

How do I request a court recording?

Please complete the Transcript/Recording Request Form and either mail or fax it to Court Services (address and fax number on form). Once the completed form is received, Court Services will contact you with the cost for the production of an audio copy of the hearing session you are requesting. (Note: Use a separate form for each recording request.)

How much will the recording cost?

The Court will assess a charge to cover the cost of the CD/cassette tape, creating the recording, and administrative costs in processing your request. For the fee amount, see "Copy Electronic Record Court Session to a CD" (M03) in the Miscellaneous Fees section of the local fee schedule.

The Court will provide a copy of the CD/cassette tape upon receipt by the Court of the request form and payment of the associated fee.

What if I need my recording ASAP?

If your recording request is urgent, mark “RUSH” on the Request Form. It usually takes a few days to process a request, but Court Services will expedite rush requests. In some cases, it may not be possible for the court to provide a copy of a recording on a rush basis, but every effort will be made to meet the request.

From how far back in time can I request a recording?

According to state law (Government Code Section 68152 (j)(8)), the official record for traffic cases can be destroyed after disposition of the case. The official record for criminal cases are destroyed ten years following disposition of the case.

What if I need a transcript of the recording?

If you need a transcript of the recording, please indicate that on the request form. Court Services will query interested Court Reporters for this service. If a court reporter is available, they will contact you to advise you of the costs associated with preparation of the transcript.

Court Services will notify you if we are unable to locate an available court reporter to transcribe your recording. You may then contact a transcription agency from the phone book to transcribe your recording.

COURT TRANSCRIPTS

How do I request a court transcript?

If you already know the name of the court reporter, please complete the Transcript/Recording Request Form and either mail or fax it to Court Services (address and fax number on form). Once the completed form is received, Court Services will forward your request to the designated court reporter. The court reporter will contact you. Please allow a few days for your request to be processed. (Note: use a separate form for each transcript request.)

If you do NOT know the name of the court reporter, visit the Records Department at the courthouse where the hearing was held and request to see the file. (See list of courthouses.) The name of the court reporter should be located on the minute order within the court file.

How much will my transcript cost?

Once the court reporter contacts you, he or she will tell you the cost of the transcript. They will also discuss how to pay for the transcript, the length of time it will take to complete, and where to pick it up. At this time, you can ask the court reporter any other questions you may have.

What if I need my transcript ASAP?

If your transcript request is urgent, mark “RUSH” on the Transcript Request Form. It usually takes a few days to process a request, but Court Services will expedite rush requests. There may be an additional fee for expedited transcript requests; if so, the court reporter will tell you when he or she contacts you.

In some cases, it may not be possible for a reporter to provide a transcript on a rush basis, but every effort will be made to meet the request.

From how far back in time can I request a transcript?

According to state law (Government Code Section 68152 (j)(7)), the court reporters’ notes for criminal cases are destroyed after ten years, and notes for civil cases are destroyed after five years. The notes for death penalty cases are never destroyed.

There may be transcripts of certain proceedings in the court files. If you would like to possess a copy of any of these transcripts, please contact Court Services with the name of the court reporter. At that time, Court Services will help you get in contact with the specified reporter.

MORE INFORMATION

How can I contact the Court if I have a question?

If you have any other questions or concerns, contact Court Services at (408) 882-2100 extension 2515 for assistance. Our office is located at Downtown Superior Court (behind the Old Courthouse in downtown San Jose).