Court Reporter Services

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Due to the ongoing shortage of official court reporters, Sacramento Superior Court only provides official court reporters in felony and juvenile proceedings, and some misdemeanor trials. The court provides electronic recording of infractions, most misdemeanors, and limited civil proceedings where recording equipment is available.

Official court reporters for unlimited civil, family law, or probate matters are not available unless required by law or requested in writing by a party who received a fee waiver. However, parties may hire a pro tem court reporter at their own expense in these matters.

I Have a Fee Waiver

A party who received a fee waiver in a civil, family law, or probate matter may request an official court reporter pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 2.956(b)(3). The request must be filed using the court’s local form CV/E-211 and following the timeline and procedures below.

Request for Court Reporter by a Party with a Fee Waiver (form CV/E-211)

For civil, family law, and probate proceedings at the downtown courthouse, the request must be filed at least 10 calendar days before the hearing, or at the time the hearing is scheduled if it is set less than 10 calendar days in advance. The form shall be filed with the department where the hearing will be held.

For family law and probate proceedings at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, the request must be filed by 4 p.m. at least five business days before the hearing. The request shall be emailed to FamilyLawPrReporters@saccourt.ca.gov.

If no official court reporter is available, the court will notify the requesting party as soon as possible. Notice of the unavailability of a court reporter may be made as late as the day of the hearing.

I Want to Bring My Own Reporter

The parties have the right to arrange, at their own expense, for the presence of a court reporter if the services of an official court reporter are not available for a proceeding. (Cal. Gov. Code, § 68086 & Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.956.) At Sacramento Superior Court, the parties may bring their own reporter in unlimited civil, family law, and probate matters if the reporter is on the court’s list of approved reporters pro tempore or if the parties file a completed Stipulation and Appointment of Official Reporters Pro Tempore form at least two business days before the hearing.

All reporters must have a valid California license and be in good standing with the Court Reporters Board of California.

List of Court-Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore
Official Reporters Pro Tempore Frequently Asked Questions
Stipulation and Appointment of Official Reporters Pro Tempore form

For Reporters Serving Pro Tempore:

Policy for Official Reporter Pro Tempore
Court-Approved Official Reporter Pro Tempore Agreement
Court Reporter Electronic Reporting Notes Upload/Archiving Policy

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