Rule 4008 - TRANSCRIPT COSTS PAYABLE BY A REQUESTING PARTY, OTHER THAN THE COMMONWEALTH OR A SUBDIVISION THEREOF.(A) Costs: Electronic Format(1) The costs payable by the initial ordering party, for a transcript in an electronic format shall not exceed:(a) For an ordinary transcript, $2.50 per page;(b) For an expedited transcript, $3.50 per page;(c) For a daily transcript, $4.50 per page;(d) For same day delivery, $6.50 per page;(2) Costs: Paper Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party for a transcript delivered via paper format shall not exceed: (a) For an ordinary transcript, $2.75 per page;(b) For an expedited transcript, $3.75 per page;(c) For a daily transcript, $4.75 per page;(d) For same-day delivery, $6.75 per page;(B)Economic hardship--minimum standards(1) Transcript costs for ordinary transcripts in matters under appeal or where the transcript is necessary to advance the litigation shall be waived for a litigant who has been permitted by the court to proceed in forma pauperis or whose income is less than 125 percent of the poverty line as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines for the current year.(2) Transcript costs for ordinary transcripts in matters under appeal or where the transcript is necessary to advance the litigation shall be reduced by one-half for a litigant whose income is less than 200 percent of the poverty line as defined by the HHS poverty guidelines for the current year.(3) Transcript costs for ordinary transcripts in matters that are not subject to an appeal, where the transcript is not necessary to advance the litigation, may be waived at the court's discretion for parties who qualify for economic hardship under subdivision (B)(1) or (B)(2) and upon good cause shown. The application to waive all or a portion of costs for ordinary transcripts shall be supported by an affidavit substantially in the In Forma Pauperis Petition required by Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 240.
Litigants who have been approved for representation by legal aid services are not required to prove economic hardship. Legal aid services must verify on the Transcript Request Form that the matter is under appeal or that the transcript being requested is necessary to advance current litigation.
(C) Assignment and allocation of transcript costs(1) Assignment of costs. The requesting party, or party required by general rule to file a transcript, shall be responsible for the cost of the transcript. Costs shall not be assessed against any party for transcripts prepared at the initiation of the court.(2) Allocation of costs. When more than one party requests the transcript, or are required by general rule to file the transcript, the cost shall be divided equally among the parties.(D) Copies of transcript A request for a copy of any transcript previously ordered, transcribed and filed of record shall be provided according to the following schedule:
(1) $0.75 per page bound, paper format; and,(2) $0.50 per page electronic copy. All requests for copies of filed transcripts shall be directed to the Chief Court Reporter and produced by the Court Reporters' Office.
Adopted 11/30/2016; Effective 1/1/2017; amended effective 3/1/2021; amended effective 2/1/2024.