Court Interpreter & Translation Rules by State (All 51 Jurisdictions) | Jurilingua

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Court Interpreter & Translation Rules by State

2 min read Updated August 2026 Aligned with ABA Standards 7 & 8

Search and filter the rules that decide whether a translated document is accepted in each U.S. jurisdiction: the court instrument, the driver licensing standard, whether any translator credential exists, and how each state lines up with the ABA Standards for Language Access in Courts.

Benjamin Thomas Founder, Jurilingua · Member, American Translators Association

Fifty-one jurisdictions, four regulatory approaches, and no state credential for written translators.

5require a translator affidavit by rule

5name translators in a statute or court rule

8address translation in a language access standard

33rely on their general rules of evidence

Alabama

General rules

In court: General rules (Ala. R. Evid. 604); AOC interpreting guidelines
Driver licensing: Certified translation Birth certificate translated and certified by embassy of issuing country (Driver Manual)
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Alaska

General rules

In court: General rules; Admin. R. 6 (interpreter services)
Driver licensing: State form or exact wording Certified translation on DMV COFAT form; translator may not be applicant
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Arizona

General rules

In court: General rules (Ariz. R. Evid. 604; A.R.S. 12-241)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with MVD
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Arkansas

Affidavit rule

In court: Ark. R. Evid. 1009: translator affidavit, 45-day service
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with DFA
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

California

Affidavit rule

In court: CRC 3.1110(g): translation certified under oath; Evid. Code 753
Driver licensing: Certified translation Certified translation or affidavit of translation
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Colorado

Language access standard

In court: General rules; Chief Justice Directive 06-03
Driver licensing: State form or exact wording Exact affirmation wording + translator DL/ID number, same page as translation
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Connecticut

General rules

In court: General rules; Judicial Branch ITS unit
Driver licensing: Approved-translator list DMV-approved translator only (approved translator number on translation)
Translator credential: DMV approved-translator list
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Delaware

General rules

In court: General rules (D.R.E. 604); Admin. Directive 107
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; originals or certified copies required
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

District of Columbia

Language access standard

In court: Filings must be in English; D.C. Code 2-1902 (interpreters)
Driver licensing: Certified translation Embassy translation on letterhead, or certified translator with stamp
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 References ATA or NAJIT
Contacts: Language access page

Florida

General rules

In court: General rules (Fla. Stat. 90.606; Rule 2.560)
Driver licensing: Certified translation Translation certified by translator (titling, F.A.C. 15C-1.013); written English translation for DL
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Georgia

Language access standard

In court: Rules for Legal Interpreting (2024), Rule 7-1(9): written translation before proceeding
Driver licensing: Certified translation Professional translating service, non-profit, consular official or DDS-approved entity; originals required
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Hawaii

General rules

In court: General rules (HRE 604)
Driver licensing: Certified translation Certified translation or affidavit of translation (county licensing; HRS 286-104.5)
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Idaho

General rules

In court: General rules (I.R.E. 604; Idaho Code 9-205)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with ITD / county office
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Illinois

Language access standard

In court: General rules; Supreme Court Language Access Policy distinguishes translators
Driver licensing: Certified translation Full translation certified complete and accurate + dated, signed competence statement
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Indiana

General rules

In court: General rules (Ind. Evid. R. 604; IC 34-45-1)
Driver licensing: State form or exact wording Translation on letterhead of government, accredited school or translation agency; not for family or friends
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Iowa

Translator statute

In court: Iowa Ct. R. 47.13: certified translator = ATA/NAJIT credential; Iowa Code 622A.2
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with Iowa DOT
Translator credential: Courts recognize ATA/NAJIT credential
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 References ATA or NAJIT
Contacts: Language access page

Kansas

General rules

In court: General rules (K.S.A. 60-243(e); 75-4351 et seq.)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with Division of Vehicles
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Kentucky

General rules

In court: General rules (KRE 604; KRS 30A.400-435)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with KYTC
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Louisiana

Translator statute

In court: C.E. art. 604.1 (2024) defines translation; C.C.P. art. 192.2
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with OMV
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Maine

General rules

In court: General rules; Admin. Order JB-06-3
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with BMV
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Maryland

Language access standard

In court: General rules (Md. Rule 1-333); AOC recommends ATA translators
Driver licensing: No published standard MVA lists translation providers; standard not published online
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 References ATA or NAJIT
Contacts: Language access page

Massachusetts

General rules

In court: General rules (G.L. c. 221C; Guide to Evidence 604)
Driver licensing: Certified translation Certified translation required (RMV checklists; RMV translation certification flyer)
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Michigan

General rules

In court: General rules; MCR 1.111 (interpreters)
Driver licensing: Certified translation Foreign passport or marriage record "with English subtitles or translation"; subject to SOS approval
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Minnesota

General rules

In court: General rules; Gen. R. Prac. 8
Driver licensing: State form or exact wording Minn. Stat. 171.069: sworn translation, translator not related, 7 qualifying categories; form PS33210
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 References ATA or NAJIT
Contacts: Language access page

Mississippi

General rules

In court: General rules; Miss. Code 9-21-71 et seq. (court interpreter program)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with DPS
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Missouri

Translator statute

In court: RSMo 476.803: courts appoint interpreters and translators; COR 19.04
Driver licensing: No published standard Documents must be in English; no published translation standard
Translator credential: Courts define certified translator (COR 19.04), no separate list
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Defined in court rules
Contacts: Language access page

Montana

General rules

In court: General rules (Mont. R. Evid. 604); Policy 890
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with MVD
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Nebraska

General rules

In court: General rules (Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2401; Ct. R. 6-701)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with DMV
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Nevada

General rules

In court: General rules (NRS 50.054; NRS 1.510-1.550)
Driver licensing: Approved-translator list DMV-approved translator with translator number only; new applications currently closed
Translator credential: DMV approved-translator list
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

New Hampshire

General rules

In court: General rules; Crim. R. 47; Language Access Plan
Driver licensing: Certified translation Notarized translation for certain driving-record substitutes
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

New Jersey

Language access standard

In court: General rules; Language Access Plan Std 4.4 (evidentiary submissions)
Driver licensing: State form or exact wording N.J.A.C. 13:21-8.2: certified translation (issuing government, ATA-type certified translator, or MVC certificate form)
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 References ATA or NAJIT
Contacts: Language access page

New Mexico

General rules

In court: General rules; Court Interpreters Act; bilingual constitutional provisions
Driver licensing: Certified translation Foreign birth certificate with notarized English translation
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

New York

Affidavit rule

In court: CPLR 2101(b): English translation + translator affidavit
Driver licensing: Certified translation Certified English translation (form ID-44); consular or government certification for foreign licenses
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

North Carolina

Language access standard

In court: General rules (N.C. R. Evid. 604); OLAS Standards 18.2 (certified translations)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with NCDMV
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

North Dakota

General rules

In court: General rules (N.D.R.Ev. 604; Admin. R. 50)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with NDDOT
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Ohio

General rules

In court: General rules (Evid.R. 604); Sup.R. 80-89 (interpreters and translators)
Driver licensing: Certified translation Translation by "an approved translator" (OAC 4501:1-1-21), undefined
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Oklahoma

Translator statute

In court: 12 O.S. 2604; 20 O.S. 1703(D): certified interpreters deemed qualified to translate
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with Service Oklahoma
Translator credential: Certified interpreters deemed qualified translators
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Defined in court rules
Contacts: Language access page

Oregon

Translator statute

In court: ORS 111.255 (probate: translation certified by translator); otherwise general rules
Driver licensing: No published standard Staff may accept foreign document if understood; passport with English translation (OAR 735-062-0020)
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Pennsylvania

General rules

In court: General rules (Pa.R.E. 604; 42 Pa.C.S. 4401-4438)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with PennDOT
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Rhode Island

General rules

In court: General rules (R.I. R. Evid. 604)
Driver licensing: Certified translation Certified translation into English (REAL ID FAQ)
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

South Carolina

General rules

In court: General rules (SCRE 604; S.C. Code 15-27-155)
Driver licensing: State form or exact wording Form 4030; translator ATA-accredited or employer letter on letterhead
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 References ATA or NAJIT
Contacts: Language access page

South Dakota

General rules

In court: General rules (SDCL 19-3-7; 19-19-604)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with DPS
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Tennessee

General rules

In court: General rules (Tenn. R. Evid. 604; Sup. Ct. R. 42)
Driver licensing: State form or exact wording Certificate of Accurate Translation form (Dept. of Safety)
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Texas

Affidavit rule

In court: Tex. R. Evid. 1009: translator affidavit, 45-day service, 15-day objection
Driver licensing: Certified translation Translation service or consulate (foreign licenses); certified English translation (marriage records)
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 References ATA or NAJIT
Contacts: Language access page

Utah

Language access standard

In court: General rules (Utah R. Evid. 604); UCJA 3-306 (language access)
Driver licensing: Approved-translator list DLD-approved translator list; word-for-word, no extracts
Translator credential: DLD approved-translator list
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Vermont

General rules

In court: General rules (V.R.E. 604)
Driver licensing: No published standard Translation "if applicable" for name-linking documents; no standard stated
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Virginia

General rules

In court: General rules (Va. R. 2:604; Va. Code 8.01-384.1:1)
Driver licensing: Certified translation Certified English translation by a professional translator
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Washington

General rules

In court: General rules (ER 604; GR 11; RCW 2.43)
Driver licensing: Approved-translator list DOL translates if possible; otherwise DSHS-, court- or federally certified translator, or consulate
Translator credential: DSHS certified translators (accepted by DOL)
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

West Virginia

General rules

In court: General rules (W. Va. R. Evid. 604; W. Va. Code 57-5-7)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with DMV
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Wisconsin

Affidavit rule

In court: Wis. Stat. 901.09: court may require translation + translator affidavit; objection procedure
Driver licensing: Certified translation English translation attached to foreign license; DMV46 guidance for foreign documents
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

Wyoming

General rules

In court: General rules (Wyo. R. Evid. 604)
Driver licensing: No published standard No published standard located; confirm with WYDOT
Translator credential: No, interpreters only
ABA Standards: Std 7 Not addressed · Std 8 Interpreters only
Contacts: Language access page

No jurisdiction matches those filters.

Reading the ABA line: Standard 7 (Translation) is marked Addressed where the jurisdiction has an instrument of general application dealing with written translation, whether a rule of evidence or procedure, a statute naming translators, or a judiciary language access standard. Standard 8 (Qualifications of Language Access Providers) reflects whether translator qualifications are defined or referenced anywhere in the court system’s rules. No U.S. jurisdiction certifies written translators; every credentialing program covers spoken-language interpreters.

Every citation links to its official source. Full detail per state in our 50-state guide, and the analysis in our 51-jurisdiction study. Reproduce with attribution and a link. General information, not legal advice.

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