Arizona Court Reporting Requirements & Deposition Admissibility Standards

Arizona is a certified reporter jurisdiction. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 32‑4003, a person may not report depositions in Arizona for use in any court in this state unless the individual holds an active Certified Reporter (CR) credential issued under Arizona law. Transcripts prepared for use in court must be signed and certified by the certified reporter who reported the proceeding.

Certification of court reporters in Arizona is administered through the Arizona Supreme Court Board of Certified Reporters, which regulates reporter qualifications and professional standards statewide. A certified reporter must include their certification designation and certificate number on the transcript certification page.

In addition to statutory certification requirements, deposition procedure in Arizona is governed by the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 28, Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 30, and Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 32. These rules address the authority of the deposition officer, administration of the oath, transcript certification, and the circumstances under which deposition testimony may later be used in court proceedings.

Because Arizona law requires certification for individuals who report depositions within the state for use in Arizona courts, practitioners typically confirm that the reporter assigned to the deposition holds an active Arizona Certified Reporter (CR) credential. Compliance with both the statutory certification requirement and the procedural rules governing depositions helps ensure that the resulting transcript can be relied upon during motion practice, evidentiary proceedings, and trial.

Last reviewed: April 2026

State-Mandated Credentials

Credential Certified Reporter (CR)
Status ✓ Required
Applies To Official stenographic deposition transcripts intended for use in Arizona courts
Issuing Authority Arizona Supreme Court — Board of Certified Reporters

Admissibility Impact

In Arizona, an official stenographic deposition transcript must be produced by a court reporter who holds a valid Arizona Certified Court Reporter (CCR) certification. Use of a non-certified individual to prepare an official stenographic record may expose the transcript to admissibility challenges, particularly in motion practice or trial proceedings.

Permitted Reporting Methods

Stenographic

Authorized

Video

Authorized

Audio

Limited

Digital

Authorized

Remote Depositions

Remote depositions are permitted under the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure by stipulation or court order

Common Admissibility Pitfalls

⚠️ Using a stenographic reporter who does not hold an active Arizona certification
⚠️ Assuming remote depositions eliminate certification requirements
⚠️ Improper or incomplete certification language
⚠️ Informal oath administration during remote proceedings
⚠️ Poor exhibit control or unclear exhibit references

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is mediation typically recorded?
A: No. Mediation is generally confidential and not recorded. However, parties may agree to engage a court reporter to document settlement agreements.
Q: Are mediation communications confidential?
A: Yes. Mediation communications are generally protected by state confidentiality rules and cannot be disclosed in subsequent proceedings.
Q: Can settlement agreements from mediation be documented?
A: Yes. Settlement agreements reached during mediation may be documented by a court reporter and are generally enforceable.

Authoritative Sources

Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure (Depositions & Discovery)
Arizona Rules of Evidence
Arizona Supreme Court Rules & Administrative Orders

Arizona Court Reporters

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