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How do I find court transcripts?

Court transcripts can be harder to locate than court decisions - and that's not just you. Here's what's available and where to look.

Full-text court cases are available through Nexis Uni, but transcripts are a different matter. In most situations, transcripts are not freely available online. They may become part of the official record if a case is appealed, but even then, they typically aren't posted publicly.

Here are your main options:

• PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) — Provides access to federal court transcripts. Fees apply based on document length.
• Supreme Court Oral Argument Transcripts — The Supreme Court is an exception: transcripts of oral arguments are posted online the same day they're heard, at no cost.
• Contact the court directly — For state or federal district court transcripts, you can reach out to the Clerk's Office to ask about ordering print transcripts. Costs and availability vary by court.