A court-certified interpreter is a professional interpreter who has passed a rigorous certification process and is officially recognized by a court system to provide language interpretation in legal proceedings. These interpreters ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) can fully understand and participate in court cases, hearings, and other legal matters.
Court interpreters in the U.S. are generally classified into two types based on their certification level: State Court Certified and Federal Court Certified.
Federal: Certified for only three languages: Spanish, Navojo and Haitian Creole
State: Depends on the state certification process and registration.
Requirements for Court Certification
The specific requirements vary by jurisdiction, but typically include:
- Passing written and oral exams that assess language proficiency, legal terminology, and ethical standards.
- Undergoing training in court procedures and interpreter ethics.
- Passing a background check.
- Adhering to a professional code of conduct.
- Interpret spoken or signed language in real-time (simultaneous or consecutive interpreting).
- Translate legal documents if required.
- Maintain accuracy and neutrality without adding, omitting, or altering meaning.
- Follow court protocols and confidentiality standards.
Court Interpreter Registry by State