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D.C. Superior Court Appeals Coordinator's Office

The Appeals Coordinator's Office reviews, processes, prepares, and certifies all Superior Court cases in which a Notice of Appeal (NOA) is filed. The Office serves as the liaison between the Superior Court and Court of Appeals. The office staff prepares and certifies the appeal record and/or record index to the Court of Appeals. Staff also reviews, processes, and certifies exhibits such as photographs, videotapes, large charts, and other materials.

The office adheres to the Court of Appeals Rules, as revised March 20, 2008.

Filing a Notice of Appeal

The Notice of Appeal should be filed in the branch office of the division where the case originated. You must attach a copy of the final order or judgment that you are appealing. There are two Notice of Appeal forms available: one for appeals of civil, domestic violence, probate, tax, and family cases other than juvenile; the other for appeals of criminal and juvenile cases. The Court does not require any additional copies; you may want to keep a copy for your own records. There are two forms for filing the Notice of Appeal that are designated for use in filing appeals from the different divisions in the Superior Court. The forms are available in the Appeals Coordinator's Office, in the branch offices and on the Internet.

Although not legally required, it is preferred that the Notice of Appeal form be used to file an appeal and be filled out completely. The form will ensure that all necessary information is submitted, which will aid in the efficient and effective processing of the appeal. You need to specify the name of the party or parties making the appeal and designate the judgment, order or part thereof, and its docket date, from which the appeal is taken. Names and addresses of all parties to the proceeding in the Superior Court, and names and addresses of their counsel, need to be provided on this form. For cases that were consolidated in the Superior Court, a separate Notice of Appeal for each Superior Court case number affected by the judgment or order needs to be filed.

The Notice of Appeal filing fee is $100 unless the appellant is indigent and is granted in forma pauperis status in the Superior Court. The $100 filing fee covers costs of preparation of the appeal record and/or record index, but not the cost of the transcript, which can be significant. Alternately, the Motion for Transcript form can be used to order transcripts for Criminal Justice Act (CJA), in forma pauperis amd 'cost waived' appeals. In other cases, a Request for Transcript form should be used. All transcripts are ordered in the Court Reporting and Recording Division, Room 5500, (202) 879-1009. A deposit is required to place and order for transcripts in cases in which the $100 filing fee is paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where should the Notice of Appeal be filed?
The Notice of Appeal (NOA) must be filed within 30 days of a final order issued by a Superior Court judge. The NOA should be filed in the branch office where the case originated. [That is, an appeal of a criminal case decision should be filed in the Criminal Division clerk's office, an appeal of a civil decision in the Civil Division clerk's office, etc.]

Is there a Notice of Appeal form and is it required?
There are two types of Notice of Appeal forms: one for cases arising in civil, family (except juvenile cases), Tax, Domestic Violence and probate appeals, and another for criminal and juvenile appeals.

These forms are strongly recommended, although not legally required. Forms should be filled out completely to ensure efficient processing. The form is available in the Family Court and Civil, Criminal, Tax, Domestic Violence and Probate Division clerks' offices and on the Internet.

How will the opposing party, known as the appellee (the party that the Notice of Appeal is filed against), receive a copy of the Notice of Appeal?
The Clerk of Superior Court is required to serve all parties a copy of the Notice of Appeal.

How can I review a Superior Court case file in the Appeals Coordinator's Office?
You can review a case file, called a "jacket" in the Appeals Coordinator's Office by completing a charge out card detailing the complete case caption, case number, current date, your name, and telephone number. The Superior Court case jacket must remain in the office and cannot be removed except by a Court employee.

How do I know what transcripts have been ordered in a paid, cost waived or in forma pauperis appeal case?
In a paid appeal case, the party who filed the appeal is responsible for ordering and paying for any transcripts needed. This includes transcripts that the opposing party wants to have included in the appeal record. Transcripts may be ordered in the Court Reporting and Recording Division in Room 5500, (202) 879-1009.

In cost-waived and in forma pauperis cases, the party who filed the appeal must file a Motion for Transcript with the Court Reporting and Recording Division in order to have an in Forma Pauperis transcript order prepared for the trial judge to determine whether or not the requested transcripts will be prepared without cost.

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