Rule 4007 Requests for Transcripts

(A) All requests for transcripts shall be set forth on a standardized form provided by the Court Administrator or a form prepared by the judicial district and approved by the Court Administrator. The form shall indicate the current rates authorized to be charged for transcripts under these rules.

(B) For an ordinary transcript, the party requesting a full or partial transcript of a trial or other proceeding shall file the original request with the district court administrator or other appropriate court filing office. The requesting party shall also serve copies of the formal request to:

(1) the judge presiding over the matter;

(2) the court reporter, court recorder, or transcriptionist;

(3) the district court administrator or his or her designee (if not filed with the district court administrator); and

(4) opposing counsel, but if not represented, the opposing party.

The provisions of subsection (B) do not apply to requests by the Judicial Conduct Board.

(C) In courts where daily, expedited, or same-day transcripts are available, requests for these transcripts shall be made as provided for in local rule. In the event of an emergency, a party may request a daily, expedited, or same-day transcript by oral motion.

(D) When a party requests a transcript,

(1) the party ordering a transcript shall make partial payment in an amount established by local rule. Deposit checks are to be made payable to the judicial district or county, as set by local rule, and shall be delivered to the district court administrator or other court designee.

(2) the court reporter or transcriptionist shall prepare the transcript upon direction of the court’s designee.

(3) the court reporter, court recorder, or transcriptionist shall notify the ordering party and the court’s designee of the completion of the transcript and deliver a copy of the transcript to the judge presiding over the matter.

(4) upon payment of any balance owed, the court reporter, court recorder, or transcriptionist shall deliver the original transcript to the appropriate filing office and copies to the parties. Checks for the final balance are to be made payable to the judicial district or county, as set by local rule, and shall be delivered to the district court administrator or other court designee.

(E) If a party requests a transcript but cannot pay for the transcript because of alleged inability to pay, the court shall approve the request if:

(1) the request is for an ordinary transcript and the matter is under appeal, or a transcript is necessary to advance the litigation; and

(2) the party has obtained a waiver pursuant to Pa.R.J.A. 1990.

(F) When a transcript is requested for which the court or county is responsible for the cost, the court reporter, court recorder, or transcriptionist shall prepare the transcript without the necessity of a deposit.