ForTheRecord Transcription: How to Get Transcripts From FTR Court Recordings
Courts using ForTheRecord systems produce .TRM files. Learn how to get transcripts from FTR recordings — including native TRM upload with AI transcription.
If you practice in a court that uses ForTheRecord (FTR) recording systems, you're working with one of the most widely deployed court recording platforms in the world. FTR systems are installed in thousands of courtrooms across the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, capturing millions of hours of legal proceedings each year.
For attorneys and paralegals, the practical question is straightforward: how do you get from the FTR recording to a transcript you can actually use? This guide walks through the FTR ecosystem, how to access your recordings, and the transcription options available — including the fastest path from .TRM file to searchable text.
How ForTheRecord Works in Courtrooms
ForTheRecord provides a complete court recording solution: hardware (microphones, mixers, recording servers), software (the recording application used by court operators), and a proprietary file format (.TRM) designed specifically for legal audio.
During a proceeding, the FTR system captures audio from multiple microphones positioned throughout the courtroom. Each microphone feeds into a separate channel — typically 4 to 16 channels in a standard courtroom installation. The court operator (usually a clerk or recording monitor) manages the system, ensuring all microphones are active and the recording is running.
The system saves the recording as one or more .TRM files containing all the audio channels, session timestamps, and metadata (case number, date, courtroom identifier). These files are stored on the court's local recording server and, in courts that have adopted FTR Justice Cloud, may also be uploaded to a secure cloud platform.
ForTheRecord was founded in Australia and has become a global standard for digital court recording. In early 2026, FTR entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Tyler Technologies, the largest provider of software to the public sector in the United States, in a deal valued at $258 million. This acquisition signals continued investment in the platform and its integration into broader court technology ecosystems.
The FTR Recording Ecosystem
ForTheRecord offers several products that form an ecosystem around the core recording platform. Understanding this ecosystem helps you navigate your options for accessing recordings and obtaining transcripts.
FTR Recording is the core recording software installed in courtrooms. It's what captures the proceedings. You don't interact with this directly — the court operator manages it.
FTR Recording Vault is a cloud-based storage and playback system for court staff. Judges, clerks, and authorized court personnel can access recordings through a secure web interface. Recording Vault is an internal court tool — attorneys and the public don't typically have direct access.
FTR Player is the free desktop application for playing back .TRM files. This is the tool most attorneys and paralegals encounter first when they receive a court recording. FTR Player provides multi-channel playback control, variable speed, and bookmarking. It does not produce transcripts. Learn more about FTR Player and its alternatives
FTR Justice Cloud is a platform that connects courts with attorneys, transcribers, and the public. Participating courts upload recordings to Justice Cloud, and authorized parties can order recordings, rough transcripts (via QuickDraft), or certified transcripts through the platform.
FTR QuickDraft is the AI-powered rough draft service available through FTR Justice Cloud. It uses Automatic Speech Recognition to generate a draft transcript from court recordings, providing attorneys with quick access to the record while a certified transcript is being prepared.
FTR Express Access is a transcript management and ordering platform designed to streamline how courts distribute recordings and transcripts to attorneys and the public.
The key limitation of this ecosystem is that most of its advanced features — Justice Cloud, QuickDraft, Express Access — require the specific court to have adopted the platform. A court that uses FTR recording hardware but hasn't migrated to Justice Cloud won't offer these services. In that case, you'll receive your recording as a .TRM file (on a CD, USB drive, or via electronic delivery) and need to handle transcription independently.
Accessing Your FTR Recordings
The process for obtaining a copy of your court recording varies by jurisdiction and by the specific court. Here's what to expect in the most common scenarios.
From Courts With FTR Justice Cloud
If the court has adopted FTR Justice Cloud, you may be able to access recordings directly through the cloud platform. This is the most streamlined option when it's available.
Typically you'll create an account on the Justice Cloud portal for that court, search for your case by case number or date, request a copy of the recording, and receive access to download or stream the audio. You may also be able to order a QuickDraft rough transcript or a certified transcript directly through the platform.
Availability varies significantly by court. Check with the court clerk's office to determine whether Justice Cloud is available in your jurisdiction.
From Courts Without FTR Justice Cloud
The majority of courts using FTR recording systems still provide recordings through traditional channels — even if the recording hardware is modern, the distribution method may not be.
The typical process involves contacting the court clerk's office to request a copy of the recording. You'll provide the case number, hearing date, and your contact information. The clerk will prepare the recording, usually on a CD, USB drive, or as an electronic file for download or email delivery.
Expect to pay a fee for the recording copy. Fees vary by jurisdiction but typically range from $10 to $50 for standard delivery. Some courts charge per disc or per session.
Turnaround time also varies. Some courts can produce a recording copy within hours. Others take several business days, particularly in high-volume courts with limited staff.
Pro tips for requesting recordings:
Ask for electronic delivery if available — it's faster than waiting for physical media. Specify that you want the recording in TRM format (not a WAV or MP3 export) to preserve the multi-channel audio. Note the channel assignments if the clerk can provide them — knowing which channel corresponds to which microphone helps with transcription. Request promptly — many courts have retention policies that delete recordings after 30 to 90 days unless they've been preserved for appeal or transcript purposes.
From Court Reporters Who Recorded on FTR Systems
In some jurisdictions, official court reporters use FTR systems as a backup to their stenographic notes, or as the primary recording method in courts that have moved to digital reporting. In these cases, the court reporter may control access to the recording.
Contact the court reporter directly to request a copy. The reporter may provide it on physical media, via electronic delivery, or through their reporting agency's portal. Fees and turnaround times follow the reporter's or agency's standard policies.
Transcription Options for FTR Audio
Once you have your FTR recording (as a .TRM file), you have several paths to a transcript. Each option involves different trade-offs between speed, cost, accuracy, and convenience.
Option 1: FTR QuickDraft (Through Justice Cloud)
If the court offers QuickDraft through FTR Justice Cloud, you can order a rough draft transcript directly through the platform. QuickDraft uses AI speech recognition to generate a draft with speaker identification.
This option is convenient when it's available, but it only works for recordings that remain on the court's Justice Cloud system. If you've already downloaded the TRM file, you can't upload it back to QuickDraft — the service is tied to the court's cloud storage.
Option 2: MatterScribe (Native TRM + AI Transcription)
MatterScribe accepts TRM files directly, regardless of where you obtained them. Upload the file, and MatterScribe's AI processes the audio to generate a transcript with speaker identification and timestamps in minutes.
This is the most flexible option because it works with any TRM file from any source — court CDs, email attachments, USB drives, or downloaded files. It doesn't require the court to participate in any specific platform. If you have the TRM file, you can transcribe it.
Because MatterScribe reads TRM files natively, the multi-channel audio and session metadata from the original court recording are preserved. This means attorneys can review the full recording alongside the transcript in the Review Dashboard.
Upload a TRM file and get a transcript in minutes
Option 3: Human Transcriptionist With FTR Experience
Some professional legal transcriptionists have FTR Player installed and are experienced at working with TRM files. They listen through FTR Player — using the multi-channel controls to isolate speakers — and type the transcript manually.
This option produces the highest accuracy (98-99% for skilled transcriptionists) and can result in a certified transcript suitable for court filing. The trade-offs are cost ($1.50-$5.00 per audio minute), turnaround time (days to weeks), and availability (the court reporter shortage means fewer qualified transcriptionists are available).
Option 4: Export and Send to Any Transcription Service
If your preferred transcription service doesn't accept TRM files, you can export the audio from the TRM file using FTR Player and convert it to a standard format (MP3, WAV, MP4) before uploading. Our guide to converting TRM files covers this process step by step.
The main drawback is time and effort. The export process is manual, you lose multi-channel audio in the conversion, and you add hours of work before the transcription provider even begins. For a single file, it's manageable. For multiple recordings, it doesn't scale.
How MatterScribe Handles ForTheRecord Files
MatterScribe was specifically designed around the reality that legal professionals work with TRM files. Rather than treating TRM as an edge case or requiring conversion, MatterScribe built native TRM processing into the core platform.
When you upload a TRM file to MatterScribe, the system reads the proprietary format directly, extracting audio and session metadata. It then processes the audio through an AI transcription engine optimized for legal terminology and courtroom audio conditions. The result is a transcript with speaker labels, timestamps, and an AI-generated court log — delivered in minutes.
The Review Dashboard pairs the transcript with synced audio playback, so you can click any line to hear exactly what was said on the original recording. Full-text search lets you find specific testimony across the entire transcript instantly. And you can export the finished transcript as PDF, DOCX, or extract the audio as MP3.
This matters because it means any attorney with a TRM file from any court can get a transcript without depending on whether that court has adopted FTR Justice Cloud, without the FTR Player export workaround, and without the multi-week wait of traditional transcription.
Courts That Use ForTheRecord
ForTheRecord is installed in courts across multiple countries. In the United States, FTR systems are found in state circuit courts, federal courts, administrative hearing rooms, and other judicial settings.
While a complete list of FTR installations isn't publicly available, the system is particularly prevalent in state circuit courts throughout the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and the Southeast. Oregon, Washington, California, Michigan, Florida, and New York are among the states with significant FTR adoption.
If you're unsure whether your court uses ForTheRecord, check the file format of any recording you've received. A .TRM extension confirms FTR. You can also ask the court clerk's office what recording system they use.
Working With Your Court Clerk
The court clerk's office is your primary point of contact for accessing court recordings. Building a productive working relationship with the clerk's office saves time and reduces friction, especially if you regularly request recordings.
Know the process. Each court has its own procedure for recording requests. Learn the specific form, fee, and delivery method for the courts where you practice most frequently.
Be specific in your request. Include the case number, hearing date, approximate time, and the type of proceeding. The more specific you are, the faster the clerk can locate and prepare your recording.
Ask about electronic delivery. Courts are increasingly offering electronic delivery options that eliminate the delay of physical media. Even if the court's standard process is CD delivery, ask whether electronic delivery is available — the answer may surprise you.
Inquire about retention. If you think you might need a recording in the future but don't need it immediately, ask about the court's retention policy. If recordings are deleted after a set period, you may need to request a copy now to preserve it — even if transcription can wait.
Be patient and professional. Court clerks manage high workloads with limited staff. A respectful, professional approach goes a long way in getting your requests handled promptly.
Have TRM files that need transcription? MatterScribe handles them natively — no conversion required. Start your free 14-day trial.
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