Requesting a Transcript

The process for ordering a transcript is a simplified one. Judges, attorneys, litigants (the parties in a case), and in some cases, the general public can request a transcript of a particular hearing in a particular case.  

What to know when requesting a transcript
An Ordinary Transcript is normally prepared within thirty (30) calendar days from the date a request is received.  An Ordinary Transcript that is requested for a matter that is on appeal is prepared within sixty (60) days after receipt of the Transcript Purchase Order (TPO).  

Financial Arrangements
All transcripts are prepared after receipt of request and after satisfactory financial arrangements have been made. 

Before requesting a transcript
All requests for transcripts must be in writing. When requesting a transcript, please provide the following information:

	The docket number of the case
	The date of the hearing, and
	The name of the judge presiding at the hearing.
	The name of the Court Reporter (if known).

FTR Requests where a Court Reporter was not present: Before you request your transcript, you should ask yourself whether or not you’ll be using it in court. In other words, will you be submitting it into evidence or using it to build your case? If so, then the request you make with the court should be to have the audio transcribed. 

On the other hand, if you only wish to obtain a copy of the audio recording for your own listening purposes, then the request you make with the court should be for an audio cd only of the recorded proceedings. The two requests are totally different.  It is important that you understand what your needs are before making the request, because it will help you pick the best (and most cost-effective) path to obtaining the transcript that you want.

Where a Court Reporter was present: When the court reporter that recorded the hearing receives the request, he/she will make contact with the individual requesting the transcript. The reporter will provide an estimated cost of the transcript and an approximate completion date. Financial arrangements for payment of the transcript cost must be made directly with the court reporter before the work on the transcript begins. Once the arrangements are made, the reporter will make every effort to prepare and deliver the transcript by the promised completion date.

Expedited Transcript: An Expedited Transcript is prepared within seven (7) or fourteen (14) calendar days after receipt of the request.  

Daily Transcript: A Daily Transcript is prepared within twenty-four (24) hours.  

Hourly Transcript:  An Hourly Transcript is a transcript of proceedings ordered under unusual circumstances to be delivered within two (2) hours.  

Transcript Purchase Order (TPO): When a case has been appealed to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands, the person requesting a transcript must complete a pre-printed, form called a Transcript Purchase Order (TPO). You may obtain a TPO from the Clerk’s Office or the website. For all other requests for transcripts not on appeal, you shall submit a letter expressing your intent to obtain a transcript to the Supervisor in the respective District of the Office of Court Reporting or obtain a Transcript Purchase Order Form.