Transcripts and Courtroom Audio

How to Request a Written Transcript

NOTE: This process is only used for ordering a transcript from the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. If you require a transcript from a hearing conducted at a different Circuit Court location, contact that court directly. Click here to request a transcript from a hearing conducted at a District Court location.

All transcript deposits and final payments will be paid directly to the Court's transcript vendor.

Case hearings can occur on multiple dates and at different times. The requesting party is responsible for supplying the Case Number, Case Type, Case Name, and Hearing Dates and Times to be transcribed. It is up to the requestor to make sure all needed portions of a case are ordered. The Maryland Judiciary's online Case Search can be used to determine case event date and time information.

To order a transcript:

• Step 1: Open the Transcript and Courtroom Audio Request Form.
• Step 2: Complete and submit the Form. Required fields have red asterisks (*) next to them.

NOTE: All transcript requests that are sealed/shielded or involving minors will require the requestor to obtain authorization by the Court to be released.

NOTE: Jurors who are currently seated on a jury panel or are in the jury selection process (voir dire) are prohibited from requesting a transcript while serving as a juror.

Transcript Turnaround Times & Sample Costs

Transcript costs are based on the number of pages and turnaround time requested. The number of pages in a transcript varies widely from case to case and is affected by many factors.

• Same Day: $6.95 per page (Maximum 40 pages, order before 10:00 am)
• 1 Business Day (26 hours): $5.95 per page (order before 4:00 pm)
• 3 Business Days: $4.95 per page
• 5 Business Days: $4.50 per page
• 10 Business Days: $3.95 per page
• 20 Business Days: $2.95 per page
• Copies: 50¢ per page - with purchase of original transcript

All transcript orders are based on business days; weekends and holidays are not counted in turnaround times.

When ordering a transcript, the time begins to run when the transcription requestor pays the estimated total cost to the transcript vendor. The normal delivery time for transcripts on the day they are due is 3:00 pm.

The cost chart below is a SAMPLE of transcript costs (rounded off to the nearest dollar). The cost of your actual transcript may be higher or lower than samples provided.

NOTE: Same-day printing is not available for transcripts longer than 40 pages.

Transcripts for an Appeal

Maryland Rule 8-411. Transcript, is as follows:

1. Ordering of Transcript. Unless a copy of the transcript is already on file, the appellant shall order in writing from the court stenographer a transcript containing:
   1. a transcription of
      1. all the testimony or
      2. that part of the testimony that the parties agree, by written stipulation filed with the clerk of the lower court, is necessary for the appeal or
      3. that part of the testimony ordered by the Court pursuant to Rule 8-206 (c) or directed by the lower court in an order; and
   2. a transcription of any proceeding relevant to the appeal that was recorded pursuant to Rule 16-502(b); and
   3. if relevant to the appeal and in the absence of a written stipulation by all parties to the contents of the recording, a transcription of any audio or audiovisual recording or portion thereof offered or used at hearing or trial.
2. Time for Ordering. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the appellant shall order the transcript within the applicable specified in this section:
   1. in a civil action subject to Rule 8-207(a), the time prescribed by Rule 8-207(a)(3);
   2. in all other civil actions subject to Rule 8-205(a), ten days after the date of an order entered pursuant to Rule 8-206(c); or
   3. in all other actions, ten days after the date the first notice of appeal is filed. The date the first notice of appeal is filed in all other actions. Cross reference: Rule 8-207 (a).
3. Filing and Service. The appellant shall
   1. file a copy of the written order to the court reporter with the clerk of the lower court for inclusion in the record,
   2. cause the original transcript to be filed promptly by the court reporter with the clerk of the lower court for inclusion in the record, and
   3. promptly serve a copy on the appellee.

As noted above, human court reporters were replaced by technical recordings in 1982; however, the same rules listed in the above Maryland Rule 8-411 apply today.

How to Request Courtroom Audio

NOTE: This process is only used for ordering an audio CD or Audio download from the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. If you require Courtroom Audio from a hearing conducted at a different Circuit Court location, contact that court directly. Request an audio CD from a hearing conducted at a District Court location.

All courtroom audio orders will be processed and paid for through the Court’s Technical Services Department (North Tower, Terrace Level, Room T-020). Technical Services accepts cash, check (made payable to the “Clerk of the Court”), and credit card (MasterCard, Visa, and Discover only). Please note that a 5% credit card convenience fee will be added to the order if you use a credit card.

Audio CDs and Audio downloads are available for $15 per 90 minutes of recorded audio for hearings/trials held after June 1982. Software needed to listen to the digital recording is included on the audio CD or with the Audio download.

Case hearings can occur on multiple dates and at different times. The requesting party is responsible for supplying the Case Number, Case Type, Case Name, and Hearing Dates and Times when requesting courtroom audio. It is up to the requestor to make sure all needed portions of a case are ordered. The Maryland Judiciary's online Case Search can be used to determine case event date and time information.

To order courtroom audio:

• Step 1: Open the Transcript and Courtroom Audio Request Form.
• Step 2: Complete and submit the Form. Required fields have red asterisks (*) next to them.

NOTE:  All courtroom audio requests that are sealed/shielded or involving minors will require the requestor to obtain authorization by the Court to be released.

NOTE: Jurors who are currently seated on a jury panel or are in the jury selection process (voir dire) are prohibited from requesting courtroom audio while serving as a juror.

If you require an audio CD or Audio download to be played on an Apple/Mac computer, please note in the comment section within the online ordering form. An MP3 copy of the courtroom audio will be provided, as the CourtSmart playback software is for Windows computers only. Due to the conversion time required to process this request, it will take 2-3 days to complete.

The Technical Services Department can produce an audio CD or Audio download for listening and verification of testimony only.

Not Seeing What You Are Looking For? Need Some Help?

View
Our FAQsGive Us
a Call