When must an appellant order the transcript or file a no-transcript certificate?

Establish actual notice-of-appeal filing.

Identify any timely remaining motion of a type specified in Rule 4(a)(4)(A) and the entry disposing of the last such motion.

Choose the later verified event before entering the calculator date.

Identify necessary proceedings not already transcribed on file and read the circuit’s applicable local rule.

1. Establish the starting event independently.
2. Exclude that triggering day.
3. Count the following fourteen calendar days.
4. Check final-day holidays, inaccessibility and actual directions.

Exclude the verified triggering day and count fourteen calendar days under FRAP 26(a)(1). If the final day is Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, continue to the next open day. Check actual inaccessibility and any applicable order.

FRAP 26(a)(6) includes federal holidays and days declared holidays by the President or Congress. For a period after an event, it also includes holidays declared by the state where the challenged district court or circuit clerk’s principal office is located. The national calendar does not infer additional state holidays, actual inaccessibility or local directions.

Fictitious example

A fictitious notice is filed July 6, 2026, with no later timely Rule 4(a)(4)(A) motion disposition. Exclude July 6 and count fourteen calendar days. July 20 is the assumed open final day. Assume no additional state holiday, inaccessibility or different court direction.

Fictitious dates. Establish the actual trigger and required acts separately. The calculation does not prove ordering, notification, filing or service.

Written order and district-clerk copy

The transcript order must be written. Within the same period, file its copy with the district clerk.

Public payment statement

If the United States pays under the Criminal Justice Act, the written order must state that fact.

Partial transcript and issues

Unless the entire transcript is ordered, Rule 10(b)(3)(A) requires an issues statement within the same period and service of the order or certificate and statement on the appellee.

Evidence-based challenge

Rule 10(b)(2) requires all evidence relevant to a challenged finding or conclusion when claiming it lacks evidentiary support or contradicts the evidence.

Payment arrangements

Under Rule 10(b)(4), make satisfactory cost-payment arrangements with the reporter at the time of ordering.

• This guide does not select the necessary transcript, classify a motion, infer actual service or read court directions.
• Authorized direct bankruptcy appeals and district-court/BAP appellate bankruptcy appeals have separate Rule 6 record procedures.

• Verify the later qualifying event and its date.
• Select the necessary transcript and use a written order, or file the no-transcript certificate.
• File an order copy with the district clerk within the same period.
• Complete the partial-transcript issues statement and required appellee service when applicable.
• Make satisfactory reporter payment arrangements at ordering.
• The written transcript order goes to the reporter; its copy must be filed with the district clerk. Confirm the actual certificate and issues-statement filing instructions. Under FRAP 26(a)(4)(A), electronic district-court filing uses the district court’s time zone. Ordinary paper filing requires receipt by the designated clerk’s closing time. Verify actual ordering channels and separate service. The date does not prove reporter acceptance or payment arrangements.