Iowa R. App. P. 6.803

As amended through April 29, 2024
Rule 6.803 - Transcripts
(1)Ordering transcripts of district court proceedings. It is the appellant's responsibility to ensure that the transcripts of any district court proceeding needed for resolution of the appeal are included in the record. If the appellant intends to argue on appeal that a finding or conclusion is unsupported by the evidence or is contrary to the evidence, the record on appeal must include a transcript of all evidence relevant to such finding or conclusion. Any relevant evidence presented before the district court in a reported or recorded proceeding that has not previously been both transcribed and filed in the district court record must be ordered in the combined certificate. See rule 6.804. If a transcript is needed from a recorded hearing, the appellant must also file an application for a transcript of an electronically recorded court proceeding and appointment of a transcriptionist in the district court within 7 days of the filing of the notice of appeal.

COMMENT: Rule 6.803(1). A written transcript from an electronic recording of a court proceeding, when produced by a transcriptionist appointed by the court or district court administrator, is the official transcript of the court proceeding. An application for a transcript of an electronically recorded court proceeding and appointment of a transcriptionist may be found at the Iowa Judicial Branch website at: www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/court-forms.

(2)Form of transcript. The following transcript format requirements must be followed whether the transcript is produced in printed or electronic format.
a.Page layout. A page of transcript must consist of no fewer than 25 lines per page of type on document pages 8 1/2 by 11 inches in size. Margins must be 1 1/8 inches on each side and 1 inch on the top and bottom. Pages must be numbered consecutively in the upper right-hand corner. If the transcript for a proceeding consists of multiple volumes, the volumes must not be consecutively paginated.
b.Font. A monospaced typeface may not contain more than ten characters per inch. Font size must be 12-point.
c. Question-and-answer form. Questions and answers must each begin a new line of transcript. Indentations for speakers or paragraphs may not be more than ten spaces from the left-hand margin. Testimony of a new witness may be started on a new page where the prior witness's testimony ends below the center of the preceding page. On any page containing witness testimony, the name of the witness and the designation of questioning (direct, cross, etc.) must appear in the margin at the top of each page of testimony.
d.Index. Transcripts must include an index of witnesses and exhibits at the beginning of each volume of the transcript.
e. Condensed transcripts not permitted. Condensed transcripts, which include multiple pages of transcript on a single page, may not be submitted.
f.Format of electronic transcripts. Electronic transcripts must be prepared to be text searchable and comply with Iowa Rule of Electronic Procedure 16.402.
(3)Filing transcript and certificate of filing.
a. The reporter will file the transcript with the clerk of the district court. The reporter will also prepare and file with the clerk of the supreme court a reporter's certificate of filing the transcript. The certificate must contain the case caption, the date the transcript was ordered, the name of the attorney or other person ordering the transcript, and the date it was filed with the district court.
b. The transcript and the reporter's certificate of filing the transcript must be filed within the following number of days from service of the combined certificate:
(1) Guilty pleas and sentencing: 20 days.
(2) Child in need of assistance and termination of parental rights proceedings under chapter 232: 30 days.
(3) All other cases: 40 days.
c. If a reporter cannot file the transcript and certificate of filing the transcript in the time allowed under this rule, the reporter must file with the clerk of the supreme court an application for extension of time and serve a copy on all counsel of record, any unrepresented parties, and the chief judge of the judicial district. The application must include the estimated date of completion, the approximate page length of the transcript, and the grounds for requesting the extension.
(4)Charges for transcription. Pursuant to Iowa Code section 602.3202, the maximum compensation of reporters for transcribing their official notes will be as provided in Iowa Court Rule 22.28.
(5)Payment for transcript. The ordering party must make satisfactory arrangements with the reporter for payment of the transcript costs. The cost of the transcript will be taxed by court order in the district court.
(6)Issuance of briefing notice. The clerk of the supreme court will issue a notice of briefing deadline when all transcripts ordered for the appeal have been filed.

Iowa. R. App. P. 6.803

Court Order October 31, 2008, effective 1/1/2009; March 9, 2009; November 18, 2016, effective 3/1/2017; Court Order December 6, 2016, effective 3/1/2017; Court Order September 29, 2023, effective 4/1/2024.