Verbatim Transcription

Verbatim transcription preserves every utterance—fillers, false starts, repetitions, and non-verbal sounds. Essential for legal proceedings, qualitative research, and any situation where exact wording matters.

Word-for-word
Legal-ready
Research-grade
Verbatim
Timestamps
Speakers
Legal
Export
Research
99%
Accuracy rate
On clear audio
All
Fillers captured
Ums, uhs, you knows
Word
Level timing
Precise timing
10+
Export formats
Word, PDF, TXT & more
Verbatim Features

Complete transcription with
every detail preserved

Full Verbatim Transcription

Capture every word exactly as spoken—including ums, uhs, you knows, and false starts. Nothing is omitted or cleaned up.

Full verbatim transcription editor

Filler Words Preserved

All filler words, hesitations, and verbal tics are transcribed. Essential for analyzing speech patterns, credibility assessment, and qualitative research.

Filler words preserved in transcript

False Starts & Repetitions

When speakers restart sentences or repeat themselves, it's all captured. Important for legal accuracy and understanding the speaker's thought process.

False starts and repetitions captured

Word-Level Timestamps

Every word is timestamped for precise reference. Jump to any moment in the audio with exact timing information.

Word-level timestamps

Speaker Identification

Multiple speakers are identified and labeled throughout the transcript. Know exactly who said what, when.

Speaker identification
Common Questions

Everything you need to know about
verbatim transcription

What is verbatim transcription?

Verbatim transcription captures every word exactly as spoken, including filler words (um, uh, you know), false starts, repetitions, stutters, and non-verbal sounds. Unlike clean or intelligent verbatim, nothing is edited, omitted, or cleaned up.

When should I use verbatim transcription?

Use verbatim transcription for legal depositions, court proceedings, qualitative research, market research focus groups, medical documentation, and any situation where exact wording matters. It's essential when analyzing speech patterns or assessing credibility.

What's the difference between verbatim and clean transcription?

Verbatim transcription includes everything—fillers, false starts, repetitions. Clean transcription (also called intelligent verbatim) removes these elements for easier reading. Choose verbatim when precision matters; choose clean when readability is priority.

Does Sonix capture filler words automatically?

Sonix's AI transcription captures natural speech patterns including many filler words. For strict verbatim requirements, you can use our editor to add any fillers or non-verbal sounds the AI may have smoothed over. The word-level timestamps make this process fast.

Is verbatim transcription more expensive?

With Sonix, verbatim transcription costs the same as any other transcription—you pay by the audio hour, not by transcription style. Traditional human verbatim transcription costs significantly more due to the additional time required.

Can I export verbatim transcripts for legal use?

Yes. Export in Word, PDF, or plain text format. Include timestamps, speaker labels, and all verbatim elements. Our transcripts are used by legal professionals, researchers, and court reporters worldwide.

Why Verbatim Matters

When every word counts

Legal accuracy

In legal proceedings, exact wording can change the meaning entirely. Verbatim transcription ensures nothing is lost in translation or interpretation.

Research integrity

Qualitative researchers rely on verbatim transcripts to analyze speech patterns, hesitations, and the full context of interviews.

Full context

Fillers and false starts reveal thought processes, uncertainty, and emphasis. Verbatim transcription preserves this crucial context.

Admissible evidence

Courts and regulatory bodies often require verbatim transcripts. Sonix provides the accuracy and formatting needed for official proceedings.

Why Choose Sonix

The smart way to get verbatim transcripts

Why is Sonix the best for verbatim transcription?

Sonix combines AI speed with professional accuracy. Get your initial transcript in minutes, then use our powerful editor to refine verbatim elements. Word-level timestamps make adding details fast. Export in any format for legal or research use.

Who uses Sonix for verbatim transcription?

Legal professionals transcribing depositions and hearings. Academic researchers conducting qualitative studies. Market research firms analyzing focus groups. Medical professionals documenting patient interactions. Anyone who needs exact, word-for-word transcripts.

How accurate is Sonix for verbatim work?

Sonix delivers 99% accuracy on clear audio, capturing natural speech patterns. For strict verbatim requirements, our editor with word-level timestamps lets you quickly add fillers and non-verbal notations the AI may have smoothed.

Can Sonix handle large verbatim transcription projects?

Absolutely. Upload multiple files simultaneously for batch processing. Our API enables automated workflows for high-volume legal or research projects. Enterprise customers transcribe thousands of hours monthly.

Customer Reviews

Trusted by legal and research
professionals

4.98 rating from 211 reviews

The interface and editor experience were great. I also like the way you handle speaker identification and naming. Pretty slick. Nice timestamp frequency / formatting too.
JD
JP D.
Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I ran through your software and it is fantastic! For what we need it's a game-changer.
GW
Geoff W.
Sydney, NSW Australia
I tried several programs and Sonix was by far the best one.It gave me very accurate scripts
KA
Keti A.
Tbilisi, GA, USA
I loovvvve that the audio is transcribed so quickly.
SB
Sandra B.
San Francisco, CA USA
The experience is fantastic, the system is easy to use, and transcription quality in different languages is unbeatable. Sonix is the best system I've tried so far...and I know one ...
LM
Lana M.
Bern, Switzerland
The best service available for my language (Czech) - thank you very much for saving me a LOT of work!
TF
Tamara F.
Prague, Czech Republic
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