Planet Depos has long supported California’s legal community by providing highly trained deposition officers to cover proceedings across the state – from Sacramento to San Diego, and everywhere in between.
We remain committed to delivering seamless, compliant deposition support. We follow the Code to the letter, which is why every Planet Depos final, certified transcript is 100% admissible.
Whether proceedings are held in-person or remotely, our tech-forward approach ensures accurate, efficient service that keeps pace with the high demands of California’s legal landscape.
To see Planet Depos’ recommended Notice Language, please click here.
California’s title protection laws reserve the term “court reporter” exclusively for certified shorthand reporters (CSRs) and voice writers. These professionals are authorized to administer oaths by virtue of their state license. This does not exclude other reporting technologies; it simply means they may not use that title.
Other methods of capturing the record such as digital/audio, video recording, or other non-stenographic technologies are also fully recognized under California law and perform the same essential functions as stenographers or voice writers, namely creating an official record of proceedings.
Individuals using these non-stenographic means are designated as “deposition officers.” Like CSRs, deposition officers can administer oaths, but they do so by virtue of their California Notary commission. While the title differs, the responsibilities – including accurately capturing testimony, maintaining the integrity of the record, and ensuring the proceedings are properly documented – are the same.
CA Government Code 8205
It is the duty of a notary public to take depositions and affidavits, and administer oaths and affirmations, in all matters incident to the duties of the office, or to be used before any court, judge, officer, or board.
- Planet Depos’ deposition officers are CA Notary Publics.
CA Code of Civil Procedure 2025.320
The deposition shall be conducted under the supervision of an officer who is authorized to administer an oath….(e). Any objection to the qualifications of the deposition officer is waived unless made before the deposition begins or as soon thereafter as the ground for that objection becomes known or could be discovered by reasonable diligence.
- Planet Depos’ deposition officers are CA Notary Publics and authorized to administer oaths.
- Our recommended sample notice language informs parties of the intent to utilize any permissible reporting method or to appear remotely.
- Planet Depos’ deposition officers read a stipulation into the record prior to the proceeding.
CA Code of Civil Procedure 2025.330
The deposition shall be conducted under the supervision of an officer authorized to administer an oath. If there is an objection to the deposition officer, it must be stated before the deposition commences or the court will waive the objection.
- Planet Depos’ deposition officers are CA Notary Publics and authorized to administer oaths.
- Our recommended sample notice language informs parties of the intent to utilize any permissible reporting method or to appear remotely.
- Planet Depos’ deposition officers read a stipulation into the record prior to the proceeding.
Starting in 2016, Planet Depos was the first court reporting company to introduce employee-based deposition officers into its offering, and now employs 140 in-house professionals.
through our proprietary, in-house training program (C.O.R.E. Training Academy)
90% of our deposition officers hold the Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) certification – the gold standard – and all must obtain certification within their first year to advance their careers.
Take advantage of Planet Depos’ wide range of innovative litigation technology solutions designed to streamline your depositions while keeping confidential information secure.
Our proprietary AI technology helps you streamline your proceedings and facilitate case management every step of the way – livestream during the deposition with Planet Stream™, your Planet Draft™ arrives within 24 hours after, and Planet Sync™ and Planet Summary™ are delivered with your final, certified transcript.
Strengthen your case with Planet Depos’ high-definition legal videography, multimedia deposition displays, and video streaming with synchronized transcripts.
Planet Depos upholds strict security measures and protocols to ensure that all client data is kept confidential, securely stored, and never used to train AI models.
Deposition officers are skilled professionals, trained in all aspects of court and deposition procedures and protocol, as well as fully versed in their obligations under the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) Code of Professional Ethics.
Deposition officers perform the same duties and responsibilities as stenographic and voice reporters but use different technology to capture the record and produce a verbatim transcript.
Deposition officers either transcribe their own work or engage the services of certified reporters and legal transcriptionists to transcribe their work. This process is no different than a stenographic or voice reporter engaging the services of a scopist to transcribe their work.
Deposition officer transcripts are admissible in all states where electronic reporting is permitted.
Planet Depos engages skilled stenographic and voice reporters, as well as experienced legal transcriptionists, to transcribe and certify deposition officer transcripts. Our transcribers are certified through the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT).
All Planet Depos audio files and log notes are sent via secure server. This process is no different from a stenographic or voice reporter sending their audio files and notes to a scopist to transcribe.
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