Court Reporters
Court Reporters
Court Reporters are responsible for making a verbatim record of proceedings held in the courtroom.
Official court reporters are normally available in felony criminal matters, juvenile matters, family support matters heard by the Family Law Commissioner, and mental health matters. To the extent available, the court will provide official court reporters for civil, family law, and probate calendars. If an official court reporter is unavailable, parties may stipulate to use the electronic recording equipment in the assigned courtroom.
Effective March 25, 2024, pursuant to Administrative Order 2024-0322, except for Family Support matters handled by the Family Support Commissioner, court reporters will no longer be provided for evidentiary hearings, court trials and jury trials, in civil, family law, and probate matters. Where court reporters are not provided, parties may privately arrange and pay for an official court reporter pro tempore. Reduction in Court Reporter Services Notice
A party who has been granted a waiver of court fees and costs may request the services of an official court reporter, free of charge, for a proceeding for which a reporter is not normally provided. The request should be made using form SC-1048 - Request for Court Reporter by a Party with a Fee Waiver and must be filed with the clerk at least 10 days before the proceeding, or at the time the proceeding is scheduled if less than 10 days away. Failure to comply with this request procedure may result in the court being unable to provide a court reporter or a continuance of the hearing. Party or parties to the case who do not qualify for a waiver of court fees and costs will be responsible for the fees.
If your matter was electronically recorded, you may purchase a CD copy of the recording from Court Administration. Please fill out SC-1006 Request for Audio Recording and email the request to rnew@sbcourts.org for Santa Barbara, eguzman@sbcourts.org for Santa Maria and Lompoc. The court does not transcribe electronic recordings unless they are sent from the Appeals Clerk for a pending appeal.
If a court reporter was present at the hearing and you would like to request a transcript, please complete SC-1044 Request for Transcript and email it to transcripts@sbcourts.org. After a request is made, the court reporter will contact you and give an estimate of cost and an estimate of the amount of time necessary to prepare the transcript. Be sure to include a “Rush” on the form if you need the transcript expedited. There may be an additional cost for an expedited transcript.
Parties may arrange for the appointment of a court-approved official court reporter pro tempore for any matter for which a reporter is not normally provided. Below is the link to the pre-approved official reporter pro tempore list contact information.
Approved Official Reporter Pro Tempore List Contact Information
Please note there can only be one official record of court proceedings and only one reporter appointed by the court may report a court proceeding. When a party arranges for a reporter, the reporter must be appointed as an official reporter pro tempore before the hearing begins. Every reporter who is not otherwise on the pre-approved list of reporters pro tempore shall complete and sign SC-1046 - Agreement and Order RE Appointment of Official Reporter Pro Tempore.
The party arranging for an official reporter pro tempore is responsible for paying the reporter’s fees although the parties may arrange to share the fees. Parties should agree to the selected reporter prior to the hearing date. If the parties are unable to agree on a reporter, the court will select the reporter to be used.
If you would like to be added to the court’s pre-approved official reporter list, please fill out form SC-1047 – Agreement for Pre-Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore List and submit to the court via email to mcastro@sbcourts.org.
If you are an official reporter pro tempore, please review the Guide for Official Reporters Pro Temporeprior to your arrival at the designated courthouse.