Court & Hearings

Yes. Under the Illinois Supreme Court Language Access Policy, every circuit court The lowest level of court in Illinois must provide a qualified or certified interpreter at no cost in all civil and criminal proceedings when needed.

An interpreter must be provided for any of the following people in a case:

• The plaintiff A person or party that starts a lawsuit
• The defendant The person or organization being sued in a lawsuit
• A victim
• A witness A person who answers questions in court under oath

Judges may also appoint interpreters for others if needed to ensure fairness and understanding in court.

Anyone who has Limited English Proficiency (LEP) can get an interpreter. This means someone who:

• Speaks a language other than English as their primary language,
• Has a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English, or
• Needs an interpreter to be able to speak in a court case.

You can request an interpreter even if you speak some English. If legal language or the pace of the hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer makes it hard for you to understand, tell the court.

People who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities also qualify for communication assistance such as American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or captioning.

Under the ADA, courts must also provide other communication aids when needed, such as real-time captioning (CART) or assistive listening devices. For ADA accommodations, visit the Illinois Courts website. There, you can find ADA Reasonable Accommodation A change to a location or job that will help a person with a disability Request forms and information about court access for persons with disabilities.

You or your lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice can request an interpreter if you are one of the following:

• A party A person or business involved in a court case in a role like plaintiff, petitioner, defendant, respondent, or intervenor. in the case (plaintiff A person or party that starts a lawsuit or defendant) The person or organization being sued in a lawsuit
• A person filing on behalf of a minor A person under 18 years old or an adult Any person 18 years old or over with a disability A substantial impairment that functionally limits a person in carrying out major life activities, such as walking, lifting, seeing, or learning.
• A parent or guardian of a minor or adult with a disability who is a plaintiff, defendant, or victim
• A witness A person who answers questions in court under oath
• A victim
• A juror (for sign language only)
• A spectator (for sign language only)

Learn how to ask for a court interpreter.

Friends or family members usually cannot interpret during a court hearing. When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer A judge may allow it only in very rare and urgent situations, such as for a simple matter or if no court interpreter is available and delaying the case would cause significant harm. A judge will not allow someone to interpret if they are involved in the case or not fully fluent. You should always tell the judge right away if you need an interpreter so the court can provide a qualified one.

Illinois courts are required to pay for interpreters for people who qualify. You do not have to pay for an interpreter.

If you believe you did not receive effective language assistance, for example, if the interpreter was not qualified, or the interpretation was inaccurate, you can submit a grievance.

As soon as possible. A qualified interpreter may not be available right away, especially for less common languages. When you submit your request early, it gives the court time to schedule one. Some courts may require advance notice, so it is a good idea to ask the circuit court clerk about local deadlines.

Learn how to ask for a court interpreter.

No. All court filings and forms submitted to an Illinois court must be in English. Judges and court staff can only accept and review documents that are written in English.

You may see translated versions of official court forms on the Illinois Courts website. These versions are provided only as a guide to help you understand what the English form says. The translated forms cannot be filed in court. You must still complete and file the English version of that form.

If you need to file a document written in another language, like a birth certificate, A legal document with a person's place of birth, time of birth, and parents marriage certificate, or contract, you must include an official English translation of that document. The translation must be certified by the person who translated it to confirm that it is accurate. Certified translations usually include a simple signed statement from the translator. A notarized translation is only required if the court requests it.

While interpreter services in court are free, the translation of written documents is your responsibility unless the court orders otherwise. You may ask the judge for more time if you need to get a document translated before filing.

Yes. State agencies such as the Department of Human Services (IDHS), Department of Employment Security (IDES), and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) must provide free language access services during administrative hearings.

If you have limited English proficiency or are Deaf or hard of hearing, When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer you can get free language assistance in most federal courts and federal agencies.

In federal court, interpreters are provided in criminal cases and may also be appointed in civil cases when needed to make sure everyone can understand and participate fully. If you have a federal case, you can contact the clerk’s office at your U.S. District Court to ask for an interpreter.

Many federal agencies, such as Social Security, Immigration, Veterans Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development, also offer free interpreters and translated materials. You can ask for an interpreter at any point during your case or interview.

It depends on the city. Some cities, like Chicago, have language access ordinances that guarantee interpreters for residents who have limited English proficiency or who are Deaf or hard of hearing. When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer Other local governments may not have formal policies, but can often arrange for interpreters upon request. If you receive a notice for a city or local hearing, contact them right away to ask if interpretation is available and how to request it.

In immigration court, interpreters are provided free of charge by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) for people who do not speak English well enough to fully understand the hearing. When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer The interpreter may be provided in person, by phone, or by video. You should tell the court as soon as possible if you need an interpreter.

For other immigration appointments, including USCIS interviews, asylum office interviews, ICE check-ins, and other federal immigration proceedings, the interpreter rules are different. Some agencies may provide an interpreter, while others may require you to bring your own. Interpreter availability depends on the agency and the type of interview or hearing.

Language access policies for federal immigration agencies continue to change, so it is important to request an interpreter early, read your appointment notice carefully, and ask the agency whether they will provide an interpreter or if you must bring your own.