How much does a transcript cost?
The person who types your transcript is a transcriber, and they are a contractor for the Court. A transcriber is paid for every transcript they create.
The cost of your transcript is based on the number of typed pages and whether you order a rush or regular. One hour of audio is about sixty pages. The transcript office does not record or keep audio, and we do not know the length of your court event. For questions about your case and related audio, contact the court where your case was held.
| Rush (I want my transcript sooner) |
Regular (I want my transcript later) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Original (New transcript) |
$4.50 for each page | $3.00 for each page |
| Copy (Existing transcript) |
$1.50 for each page and each copy |
$1.00 for each page and each copy |
Cost and turnaround time estimates
Use our estimator to get a quick estimate for your transcript cost and turnaround time by entering delivery speed, appeal status, and audio length (prices and completion times are approximate).
How do I get transcripts if I cannot afford it?
If you are unable to pay court fees, including the costs of a transcript, you can Apply for indigency (waiver of court fees and costs) and file the Affidavit of Indigency form (PDF) to ask the court to waive those fees. Learn more about ordering transcripts as a Pro se or self-represented indigent court user.
How do I know if the transcript I need was already typed?
We do not transcribe a court proceeding unless we receive a transcript order form specifically requesting it. Most transcript orders we receive are proceedings that we have not yet transcribed. If you request an original transcript that we already transcribed, we will process your order as a copy, and you will pay the lower pre-page copy fee.
When do I pay for my transcript?
Private pay
Generally, a transcriber will contact you to request a 50% deposit to start your order and collect final payment from you before they deliver your completed transcript.
Pro se or self-represented indigent
If you file an Apply for indigency (waiver of court fees and costs) with the court and a judge or clerk sign and approve your affidavit, the transcriber will not collect payment from you. The transcript fee will be paid by the Commonwealth.
Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) staff or assigned counsel
The transcriber will not collect a deposit, but they will bill CPCS on their online billing software after they deliver your completed transcript.
State or federal agencies
The transcriber will not collect a deposit, but they will bill your agency after they deliver your completed transcript.
Trial Court staff
The Office of Transcription Services will receive and pay for the invoice.
How long does it take to create a transcript?
The time we need to complete a transcript mainly depends on the audio length and transcript speed (rush or regular). Other factors like audio quality and our current workload also affect the timeline. See the following chart for estimated times:
| Rush (I want my transcript sooner) |
Regular (I want my transcript later) |
|
|---|---|---|
| One hour of audio or less | Not more than 5 business days | Not more than 20 business days |
| More than one hour of audio | Not more than 3 additional business days for each hour | Not more than 5 additional business days for each hour |
Please note, these estimates are not guarantees. You should submit your transcript order as soon as possible.
Cost and turnaround time estimates
Use our estimator to get a quick estimate for your transcript cost and turnaround time by entering delivery speed, appeal status, and audio length (prices and completion times are approximate).
How do I cancel my transcript order?
To cancel your order, email us at ots@jud.state.ma.us. You must pay for any work completed before we receive your written cancellation request.
Do I need to request court audio to order a transcript?
No, you do not need to submit a separate court audio request, but providing details helps us locate your case audio faster. If you don't order audio, providing precise and complete case details, like courtroom number, date, and start and end times, is crucial. Without this information, we might need to review a full day's recording, significantly delaying your order. You may want to contact the Clerk’s Office to verify when and where your case was held or access the public docket information via MassCourts, the Massachusetts Trial Court case access portal.
How do I order court audio?
Request court audio for most cases after January 1, 2016, at For the Record (FTR) Recording Vault. The Clerk’s Office is the custodian of court audio and reviews audio requests. If you have any questions about court audio, we recommend you contact the Clerk’s Office. Find detailed audio ordering instructions on the Order the Audio of a Court Proceeding website.
Why do I need to submit a motion to access audio for my transcript?
Courtroom audio is necessary for us to prepare a transcript. Since we are not the custodians of court recordings, we follow specific rules, laws, and orders to access this audio. You might need to file a motion for access in certain situations, such as for any Probate and Family Court proceeding recorded more than one year ago or for applications for criminal complaints. For questions about accessing these records, contact the Clerk’s Office and ask if a motion is needed to transcribe your case audio. You may also check our website for more details on transcription-related rules (link to our new court rules page).
How can I get a transcript prepared by a court reporter?
We do not hold court records or transcripts from court reporters. The Clerk’s Office is the custodian of these records, and we recommend you contact the Clerk’s Office where your case was held or the court department’s Administrative Office.
Can you prepare a transcript from audio recorded by a court reporter?
Yes, we can transcribe audio recorded on cassette tapes by court reporters, as well as other digitally recorded audio from the Trial Court, the Appeals Court, and the Supreme Judicial Court. However, since we do not have access to this audio, it is your responsibility to request the audio from the court. The court should send the audio directly to OTS, and you should submit a Transcript Order Form after we receive the audio.
I believe my transcript contains an error. How do I amend it?
Transcription is a meticulous and precise task, challenged by factors like poor audio quality, reverberation, and two people talking simultaneously. Our transcribers are highly skilled at producing accurate transcripts despite these obstacles. However, if you suspect an error in your transcript:
For non-appeal matters
Please email us at ots@jud.state.ma.us to request a Transcript Assessment Form (TAF). Before you submit your form, we recommend you order relevant audio and identify all concerns in a single TAF. Upon receiving your completed TAF, we will review the audio against the transcript to assess the claimed discrepancies. This process ensures that any action taken is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the audio and the transcript content.
For appeal matters
To address potential inaccuracies for appeal transcripts, follow the Rules of Appellate Procedure Rule 8(e). Corrections to the record, due to material omissions or discrepancies, can be made through stipulation by the parties with court approval. If the parties are unable to agree, on motion the court shall settle any dispute and conform the record to the truth.
For effective transcription and review, providing detailed case information—including accurate spellings of proper nouns—is essential.