Court Reporting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a transcript?
A transcript is a written version of the words spoken or testimony given during a court
proceeding.
What is a digital recording?
A digital recording is an audio tape recording or a recording by any other electronic
means, including but not limited to digital or other technology.
What proceedings are available for transcript and/or digital recording requests?
The following proceedings are either digitally recorded or reported by a stenographer
(official court reporter):
Circuit Criminal
County Criminal
Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile Drug Court
Adult Drug Court
Felony and Misdemeanor Mental Health Court
Veteran’s Court
Dependency, including Shelter Hearings
Termination of Parental Rights
Domestic Violence Injunctions
Baker Act/Marchman Act
Guardianship/Jimmy Ryce
Hearings held before a General Magistrate or Hearing Officer
**Note: For civil, family civil, traffic infraction hearings, and any other case types not
listed above, it is the responsibility of the litigant to hire a court reporter from a
private court reporting agency. The court does not provide a court reporter for these
hearings.
How can I obtain a transcript of a digitally recorded proceeding?
You may visit the Circuit’s website at http://www.17th.flcourts.org/court-reporting/
to obtain a Transcript Request Form. If CRS is directed to prepare a transcript from an
electronic recording of a proceeding covered by CRS, all completed forms should be
emailed to Court Reporting Services (CRS) via email to crstran@17th.flcourts.org for
processing. Once a request is received, staff will advise as to the preparation, delivery,
and costs of the transcript. If a requested hearing was not digitally recorded by CRS,
the requesting party will be advised.
How can I obtain an audio recording of a digitally recorded proceeding?
You may visit our website at http://www.17th.flcourts.org/court-reporting/ to obtain
a Multi-Media Request Form. Additionally, parties to a case and attorneys of record
must complete a Prohibition Against Dissemination Form required by Florida Supreme
Court Administrative Order AOSC11-22. Completed forms are to be emailed to
crstran@17th.flcourts.org for processing. Once a request is received, staff will advise
as to the availability of the audio recording and associated costs.
How can I obtain a transcript of a proceeding reported by a stenographer (official
court reporter)?
If the proceeding was not digitally recorded but was reported by a stenographer, the
requesting party will need to directly contact the contracted court reporting agency.
Is there a cost for a CD of my hearing that was digitally recorded?
Yes, the cost is $25.00 per CD. Payment is required before a CD is produced.
How long will it take to receive a CD of a digital recording?
CDs will be ready within seven (7) business days from the date the request is received.
Is there a cost for a transcript?
Yes, the cost of a transcript is determined by its length and delivery rate. Please note
that expedited delivery rates can only be fulfilled if resources are available. Most
transcript requests will be fulfilled within 30-45 business days of the request. All
privately ordered transcript requests require an initial 50% nonrefundable deposit to
begin production. No transcript will be released by CRS until payment has been made
in full.
The transcript production rates are set forth in Seventeenth Judicial Circuit
Administrative Order No. 2023-32-Gen, and are listed below:
| Delivery Time | Number of Copies | Cost per page |
| 24 hours (overnight) | Original and 2 copies Each additional copy | $10.25 $1.10 |
| Three (3) business days | Original and 2 copies Each additional copy | $9.75 $1.10 |
| Six (6) business days | Original and 2 copies Each additional copy | $8.50 $1.10 |
| Ten (10) business days | Original and 2 copies Each additional copy | $7.25 $1.10 |
| Thirty (30) days | Original and 2 copies Each additional copy | $6.25 $1.10 |
| Appeals | Original and 2 copies Each additional copy | $6.25 $1.10 |
Can I order a CD or transcript of just a portion of my proceeding?
Yes, you may order a portion of your proceeding. You will need to specify on the
appropriate request form which portion you are requesting.
Can I still make a transcript or CD request if I am not a party to the case?
A person who is not a party to a case may request and obtain a written transcript or
CD, unless a record of the proceeding is deemed confidential and exempt from public
access. The request will be treated as a request for judicial branch records in
accordance with the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration and
any applicable local administrative order. A review by the Office of the General
Counsel is required to ensure that any confidential or exempt material is redacted
accordingly. This procedure is in accordance with Florida Supreme Court
Administrative Order AOSC11-22 to ensure that no exempt, confidential or non-public
matter is released.
Can I make a request for a transcript or CD if I am not the attorney of record?
An attorney who is not docketed in the Clerk’s system as the attorney of record may
submit a request for a transcript or CD, unless the record of such proceeding is
deemed to be confidential and exempt from public access. The request will be treated
as a request for judicial branch records in accordance with the Florida Rules of
General Practice and Judicial Administration and any applicable local administrative
order. A review by the Office of the General Counsel is required to ensure that any
confidential material be redacted accordingly. This procedure is in accordance with
Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC11-22 to ensure that no exempt,
confidential or non-public matter is released.
Is there a cost for a Public Records Request?
Yes, the costs for a public records request for a transcript and electronic recording are
below.
PR Transcript Fee: In addition to the cost of producing a transcript, a deposit in the
amount of $66.00 will be needed to begin a review of the transcript. This amount
must be by check made payable to the State of Florida, and must be received prior to
beginning the review process. The cost for the review could exceed the deposit amount.
The cost is $14.50 per 15-minute increments of review time. The $66.00 deposit and
any other fees required to review the transcript is a separate cost from the cost to
prepare the transcript.
PR Electronic Recording Fee: In addition to the cost of producing the electronic
recording, a deposit of $66.00 will be needed to begin a review of the electronic record.
This amount must be by check made payable to the State of Florida, and must be
received prior to beginning the review process. The cost for the review could exceed the
deposit amount. The cost is $14.50 per 15-minute increments of review time. The
$66.00 deposit and any other fees required to review the electronic recording is a
separate cost from that of the electronic recording cost.
How can I make a payment for a CD or transcript request?
A check or money order, made payable to the State of Florida, may be delivered or
mailed to the address below. We cannot accept cash.
Broward County Courthouse
Court Reporting Services
Room 19170
201 SE 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
We also offer online payment options. Please contact court reporting staff for
additional information regarding online payment options.
Who can I contact if I have a question pertaining to my CD or Transcript
request?
You may contact Court Reporting Services at (954) 831-6260 for assistance. We are
open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding court holidays).
