TRANSCRIPTS

Also see Local General Rule 10

  1. Recordings.  Some proceedings are electronically recorded.  These recordings are maintained by Superior Court Administration. If a transcript of an electronically recorded proceeding is required, the first step is to request a digital copy of the recording from the appropriate County Clerk’s office.  The requestor is responsible for payment. 
    • Once the recording is purchased, the requestor must hire a transcriber.  Under GR 35 official court transcripts may be completed and filed only by (1) a Certified Court Reporter (who is a person who meets the standards outlined in RCW18.145.080); or (2) an Authorized Transcriptionist (who is a person who has been approved by Superior Court to prepare an official verbatim report of proceedings of an electronically recorded court proceeding).   Certified Court Reporters may, but need not, apply to be on the Authorized Transcriptionist list.
    • A list of authorized transcriptionists can be found BELOW.  The Court is not allowed to contact a transcriber on your behalf, make payment arrangements or defer payment – these are the requestor’s responsibilities.
    • GR 35 only applies to the preparation of transcripts of court proceedings.  It does not apply to transcriptions of interviews, statements, or other out-of-court proceedings.
  2. Court Reporters.  For a transcript (not digitally recorded) you may contact Benton/Franklin Counties Official Court Reporters. 

Notice to Transcribers

Benton and Franklin Counties have transitioned to FTR ( For The Record) digital recordings for all Superior Court courtrooms. You will receive a link to the recording, which will be archived to the email address you provide to Superior Court (or the person making the request).

To ensure optimal functionality, please download the Justice Cloud Desktop App. This application allows for foot pedal control and individual speaker volume adjustments, making transcription more efficient.

Transcriptionist List

BECOME AN AUTHORIZED TRANSCRIPTIONIST

  1. Applications.  Benton Franklin Counties Superior Court welcomes applications from all persons desiring to be on the list of authorized transcriptionists.  The qualifications can be found in GR 35.  Click Below for an Application and submit it to:  SCCourtManagement@co.benton.wa.us.
    • This only applies to transcripts of court proceedings, and does not apply to transcriptions of other matters, such as statements.
  2. Qualifications.  The minimum qualification to become an authorized transcriptionist:
    1. Certification as a court reporter; or
    2. Certification by AAERT (American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers); or
    3. Proof of one year of supervised mentorship with a certified court reporter or an authorized transcriptionist.
  3. Submit Application.  Those wishing to become authorized transcriptionists must complete and submit, with all supporting documents, a transcriptionist Application, which can be obtained below. A list of authorized transcriptionists can be at the link above labeled "Transcriptionist List."
  4. Continuing Authorization.  Authorizations granted by Benton/Franklin Counties shall remain in effect until withdrawn by the Court. Authorized transcriptionists shall have the affirmative duty to advise the Court immediately if they no longer meet the minimum qualifications set forth above, or if any information in their Transcriptionist Application or supporting documents is no longer accurate.

DISCLAIMER

Washington State General Rule 35 (GR 35) provides that every superior court must establish a list of "authorized transcriptionists" a person approved by a Superior Court to prepare an official verbatim report of proceedings of an electronically recorded court proceeding in that court.  The Benton Franklin Counties Superior Court does not attest to the competence of the persons it has authorized, and states only that each person on the list has submitted proof that he/she meets the minimum qualifications set forth in GR 35.

[Updated: September 1, 2024; formatting only changes 12/18/2024]