Government and public statistics
28 U.S.C. 753: Reporters
Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (text of the United States Code), n.d.
Read the originalRead on October 17, 2026
- What it is
- The federal statute that governs court reporters in United States district courts. It sets when proceedings must be recorded, who must certify a transcript, and when a transcript counts as official.
- How much weight it carries
- Reproduces the federal statute as codified. It governs federal district courts only; state courts have their own rules. Check the current code before relying on any single sentence.
Facts taken from this source
- Under the federal statute on court reporters, a transcript certified by the reporter or other person designated to produce the record is deemed prima facie a correct statement of the testimony and proceedings.
“The transcript in any case certified by the reporter or other individual designated to produce the record shall be deemed prima facie a correct statement of the testimony taken and proceedings had.” (Section 753(b), text of the statute)
- Under the federal statute on court reporters, no transcript of a federal court proceeding counts as official unless it is made from records certified by the reporter or other designated person.
“No transcripts of the proceedings of the court shall be considered as official except those made from the records certified by the reporter or other individual designated to produce the record.” (Section 753(b), text of the statute)
- Under 28 U.S.C. 753(b), each session of a federal court must be recorded verbatim, by shorthand, mechanical means, electronic sound recording or another method.
“shall be recorded verbatim by shorthand, mechanical means, electronic sound recording, or any other method” (Subsection (b))
- Under federal law, each session of a federal court is recorded verbatim, by shorthand, mechanical means, electronic sound recording or any other method the Judicial Conference approves.
“shall be recorded verbatim by shorthand, mechanical means, electronic sound recording, or any other method” (28 U.S.C. 753(b))