An approved transcriber is a transcription professional or company a federal court has authorized to produce official transcripts of its proceedings. The court releases hearing audio to its approved transcribers, and only their certified transcripts become the official record. Access Transcripts holds approved status in more than 30 U.S. Bankruptcy Courts and multiple U.S. District Courts.
Why courts use approved lists
When a court replaces live court reporters with digital audio recording, someone still has to produce the official transcript, and the court needs confidence in whoever does it. Approval processes vet transcribers for certification, formatting competence, confidentiality practices, and reliability. Once approved, a transcriber can request audio directly from the clerk and file the finished transcript on the docket.
For you, the list is protection. Ordering from an approved transcriber means the product will be accepted, formatted to that court's standing order, and handled under the court's confidentiality expectations.
How to find and use the list
Most federal bankruptcy and district courts publish their approved transcriber list on the court website under transcripts or court reporter information. Pick a transcriber, contact them with your case details, and they handle the audio request. We are on those lists across the country, and if your court is one where we hold approval, the process starts with a single order form on this site.
State courts vary: some maintain similar lists, others leave transcription to the court reporter who covered the hearing or to any certified transcriber. If you are unsure how your court works, ask us and we will point you the right way.