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Office of Interpreter Services (OIS)

Office of Interpreter Services (OIS)

From Afghani to Zulu, Superior Court's Office of Interpreter Services (OIS) obtains interpreters for more than 160 different languages to assist non-English speakers with court matters. OIS has offices in all three of Superior Court's primary facilities.

****INTERPRETATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST FOR ALL COURT EVENTS****

King County Courthouse
516 3rd Avenue
Room C-701
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 477-1415
Email: scinterp@kingcounty.gov
Maleng Regional Justice Center
401 N. 4th Avenue
Room G0243
Kent, WA 98032
Phone: (206) 477-1415
Email: scinterp@kingcounty.gov
Youth Services Center
1211 E. Alder Street
Room 225
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 477-1415
Email: scinterp@kingcounty.gov

THE OFFICE OF INTERPRETER SERVICES REQUIRES 3-5 BUSINESS DAYS TO SUCCESSFULLY PROCESS INTERPRETER REQUESTS.

Click HERE to request an interpreter.

Interpreters assist litigants during attorney-client consultations and arraignments, hearings, trials, and other court events. They also interpret for deaf jurors, classes for parents and truant youth, and appointments with court personnel.

In most cases, OIS does not assist with child abuse and neglect cases. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families coordinates interpreter services for these cases.

For more information on securing interpreters for trials and other court matters, please read this Court Operations Memorandum.

OIS provides orientation for interpreters and education for judges, attorneys, and court personnel about procedures for obtaining and utilizing interpreters. The program has been cited as a national model and clearinghouse for interpreter-related information.

In accordance with state law, OIS strives to provide only court-certified interpreters in the following languages:

  • Arabic (Egyptian)
  • Arabic (Levantine)
  • Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian
  • Cantonese
  • French
  • Korean
  • Laotian
  • Mandarin
  • Marshallese
  • Punjabi
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese

OIS carefully screens interpreters in all other languages, or when no court-certified interpreter is available.

Form Name Word PDF
KCSC Interpreter Invoice Word PDF
KCSC Juror Interpreter Invoice Word PDF
KCSC Interpreter Information Record
(Note: Prospective interpreters should complete this form and mail it to OIS.)
Word PDF
KCSC Interpreter Payment Policies
PDF
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