Federal Court Interpreters

If you have been selected to perform court interpreting services for the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota or are interested in doing so, this information will assist you in performing your services according to the specifications of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO).

Interpreter Qualifications

The professional knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a federal court interpreter are highly complex. Communication in courtroom proceedings may be more complex than that in other settings or in everyday life. For example, the parties involved may use specialized and legal terminology, formal and informal registers, dialect and jargon, varieties in language and nuances of meaning.

Types of Interpreters

The AO classifies three categories of interpreters:

• Certified interpreters;
• Professionally qualified interpreters; and
• Language skilled interpreters

Fees for Language Skilled (Non-Certified) Court Interpreters (new rates as of January 1, 2023):

• Full Day: $350
• Half Day: $190
• Overtime: $44 per hour or part thereof
• *Contact the Court for the rates of Certified and Professionally Qualified interpreters.*

Court Interpreting Guidance

• Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol 5: Court Interpreting
• Federal Court Interpreter Orientation Manual and Glossary (pdf)

Contract Court Interpreting Services

• Purchase Order Terms and Conditions
• Standards for Performance and Professional Responsibility (pdf)

Background Checks

A background check (fingerprinting) is required of contract court interpreters who work in the U.S. District Courts.

For a full listing of policies, rates or interpreting standards, please visit:
http://www.uscourts.gov/interpretprog/interp_prog.html.