Family Court - Kings County

About This Court

Kings County Family Court in Brooklyn handles custody, visitation, child support, abuse/neglect, and family offense matters for Brooklyn's large and diverse population.

Kings County Family Court has a dedicated transcript unit and accepts requests via EDDS, email, and mail. Brooklyn's heavy caseload means the transcript unit processes a large volume of requests, so precise case identifiers are essential. The court uses a mix of digital and stenographic recording.

Proceedings are recorded using a mix of digital and stenographic methods. Audio recordings are not provided to litigants. The court forwards digital recordings to an approved transcription vendor who produces the official written transcript.

Who Can Request

Only parties to the case and their attorneys of record may request transcripts. Members of the public cannot access Family Court records. Pro se litigants (self-represented parties) may request transcripts of their own proceedings.

What You Can Request

• Certified transcript: Yes. Official transcripts are available.
• Audio copy: No. Audio recordings are not provided to litigants.
• On-site listening: Yes. You may request to listen to the recording at the courthouse.

Recording method: Mixed (digital audio and stenographic)

What You Need (Data Checklist)

• Case name and index/docket number
• Date(s) of the proceeding
• Judge's name and courtroom/part (if known)
• Your contact information (name, phone, address)
• Selected transcription vendor from the approved list

Court-Specific Process

1. Complete the Request for Transcript (Electronic Recording) form with the docket number, hearing date, judge's name, and part.
2. Submit via EDDS, email to the Kings County Family Court transcript unit, or by mail/in-person delivery to the Jay Street courthouse (Attn: Transcript Unit).
3. The transcript unit locates the recording and sends it to an approved vendor from the OCA vendor list.
4. The vendor provides a cost estimate, you pay directly, and the vendor delivers the finished transcript to you.

Fees & Timing

Vendor rates are typically $1.00-$3.50 per page. Standard turnaround is 30-60 days; expedited service costs more but can reduce the wait. Fee waivers are available through the UCS poor person application (forms UCS-FW1, UCS-FW2, UCS-FW3, UCS-FWO1). Approval is not guaranteed.

Common Pitfalls

Before You Submit

Required Forms

Fee Waiver (Poor Person Relief)

Fee waiver available via poor person relief; submit fee-waiver application and supporting forms

To apply for a fee waiver, you'll need these forms:

• Application to Waive Court Costs, Fees, and Expenses (UCS-FW1)
• Notice of Motion to Waive Court Costs, Fees, and Expenses (UCS-FW2)
• Affirmation of Service (Motion to Waive Fees) (UCS-FW3)
• Order – Application to Waive Court Costs, Fees, and Expenses (UCS-FWO1)