- 1. Determining how the proceeding was recorded.
- 2. Estimating Transcript Costs.
- 3. Timing.
- 4. “Certified” Transcripts.
- 5. First Transcript Order for a Proceeding (Original Transcript).
- 6. Ordering a Copy of a Transcript.
- 7. Formats Available.
- 8. Electronic Availability.
- 9. ECF Help.
1. Determining how the Proceeding was Recorded.
To determine whether a proceeding was recorded by a court reporter or by a digital audio recording, you must review the minutes of a proceeding.
For each proceeding held before a judge, a “minute entry” is filed. If no minute entry has been filed for your proceeding, contact the presiding judge's courtroom deputy or email the Court Reporter Coordinator. Docket information is available from the electronic filing system via PACER (www.pacer.gov).
Example docket text for a minute entry:
On the CM/ECF docket sheet, click on the minute entry's docket number link to view the minutes. In the upper right-hand corner, the minute entry will indicate how the proceeding was recorded. The following options may appear:
Court Reporter: [Name of Court Reporter] — This means that a court reporter recorded the proceeding. To obtain a transcript of the proceeding, see How to Order a Transcript; no digital audio recording is available.
Court Reporter: N/A — This means that the proceeding was recorded by digital audio recording. To obtain a transcript of the proceeding or a copy of the audio recording, see How to Order a Transcript or How to Order a Digital Audio Recording.
Recording: AUDIO — This means that the proceeding was recorded by digital audio recording. To obtain a transcript of the proceeding or a copy of the audio recording, see How to Order a Transcript or How to Order a Digital Audio Recording.
Recording: None — This means that the proceeding was not recorded; no transcript can be produced; and no digital audio recording is available.
Tape Number: n/a — This means that the proceeding was not recorded; no transcript can be produced; and no digital audio recording is available.
2. Estimating Transcript Costs.
A rule of thumb is that one minute of court time equals one page of transcript. The minute entry for each court proceeding provides the length of the proceeding in minutes. See the Transcript Pricing page for more information on how much a transcript page may cost.
To obtain a more exact estimate before ordering a transcript, email the Court Reporter.
Transcript preparation and delivery times will not begin until payment has been satisfied with the court reporter (e.g. receipt of a deposit check).
Any transcript purchased from a court reporter or downloaded from CM/ECF or PACER is a certified copy.
5. First Transcript Order For A Proceeding (Original Transcript).
The first party to order a transcript pays the “original” rate and has a choice in delivery times, which vary in cost. See the Transcript Pricing page for more information.
6. Ordering a Copy of a Transcript.
If the transcript has already been ordered by another party, then you pay only the “copy” rate.
If a transcript has been ordered but you would like the transcript sooner than the ordering party (e.g. there is a request for a 30-day delivery type and you would like a transcript in 7 days) you must order an original transcript. See the Transcript Pricing page for more information.
When ordering transcripts, you have a choice of one or more transcript formats. If you choose more than one transcript format, each format you select will be charged as an additional copy. See the Transcript Pricing page for more information.
All transcripts are e-filed on CM/ECF within three working days after delivery to a party and are restricted from public access for 90 days (except sealed transcripts). Upon delivery, the court reporter will provide the ordering party with access to the e-filed transcript at no additional cost to the ordering party during the 90-day restriction period (the per-page PACER fee will apply because there is no “free view” of transcripts, except at the Clerk's Office).
During the 90-day restriction period, the public may read the transcript at the Clerk's Office or may purchase a copy from the court reporter. After 90 days, any party may download the certified transcript from CM/ECF after paying the per-page PACER fee.
Toll Free ECF Help Desk: 866-325-4975 or 612-664-5155
Or send an e-mail to ecfhelpdesk@mnd.uscourts.gov