State or federal agency court transcript requester

If you have never ordered a Trial Court transcript paid by the state or federal government, or have questions about what to expect, including how long your order may take, we recommend you review this page before submitting your order form.

This page will assist you through the transcript ordering process if you are ordering transcripts in your official capacity as:

• District Attorney’s Office
• Attorney General’s Office
• Department of Children and Families
• Any other State Agency or any Federal Agency
   

Order a transcript

Please note: If you're ordering transcripts for an appeal, review the additional instructions in the Appeal transcripts section. 

1. Follow agency rules: There is a cost to transcription. Before you submit a Transcript Order Form, review your agency’s procurement rules, and ensure your submission follow those rules. 
2. Gather case information: Accurate case details are crucial for timely processing. To locate audio without them, we may need to search through entire recordings to locate your case, significantly delaying your order. Please ensure you provide:
   • The full case name (ex. Comm. v. John Doe)
   • The complete docket number, including county (ex. 2301CR01234)
   • The judge's name that presided over your case
   • The courtroom number where your case was held
   • The date, start and end times of your proceeding
   • Optional: Learn more about the process for ordering audio of Trial Court proceedings
3. Submit transcript order form
   • Submit the Transcript Order Form with as much notice as possible
   • Enter exact case details
   • Indicate any specific deadlines, and we’ll let you know if we can meet them
   • A court transcript coordinator will confirm receipt of your order via email after reviewing it
   • Optional: Attach your FTR Recording Vault audio order form to submission
4. Wait for completion
   • Turnaround time varies based on factors like audio length and service type (rush or regular)
   • Rush orders are completed faster than regular ones
   • Track or cancel your order by emailing [e-mail]
5. Transcriber delivers transcript
   • The transcriber delivers the completed transcript by email
6. Payment: The Transcriber will send an invoice to your agency via email, addressed to you unless you specify an alternative billing contact. Payment is expected upon completion of services.

Ready to order?

Access the Transcript Order Form here.

Appeal transcripts

This section details the additional procedures for ordering transcripts in appeal cases.

Appellant responsibilities:

• Order transcripts: Within 14 days of filing notice of appeal, the Appellant generally orders transcripts of relevant proceedings and files a copy of the Transcript Order Form with the Clerk’s Office along with the other parties.
• Payment: The Appellant usually pays the costs of the transcripts ordered for the Court and the parties.

Transcriber duties:

• Simultaneous email delivery: Transcribers send completed transcripts in electronic PDF format to both the Court and parties involved. Generally, it is the Appellant’s obligation to provide names and email address of the Clerk’s Office and the other parties.

Clerk role:

• Assemble the record: The Clerk’s Office assembles the record or collects original transcripts, papers, and exhibits in preparation for your appeal. This process starts once you file your Notice of Appeal and completes after they obtain all necessary documents, typically with transcripts being the final component. The Clerk’s Office sends the record to the Appellate Court only when the Appeals Court specifically requests it.

Transcript order reminders

• Order audio: Consider ordering audio of your Court event at FTR Recording Vault to help us process your order quickly!
• Avoid delays: Submit your Transcript Order Form with precise case details, including start and end times, date, courtroom number, etc. Incomplete information may require us to listen through entire recordings to find your case, causing significant delays.
• Cost of order: Estimate the cost of a transcript.
• Time to complete order: Turnaround time varies based on factors like audio length, requested rate (rush or regular), and potential delays in locating audio.
• Payment: The transcriber will invoice your agency after they electronically transmit the completed transcript to you. 

Ready to order?

Order an official Trial Court transcript 

Additional resources for ordering transcripts

• Find case information on the MassCourts website
• Find out which courts serve your city or town with the Courthouse Locator tool
• View frequently asked questions about court transcripts
• Find instructions for ordering audio and submit your order for court audio on FTR Recording Vault
• See a list of Court orders, rules, and laws about transcripts and disclaimers
• Read our website disclosure