Translation and interpreting services in Kansas City

Language access rules in Missouri

Court interpreter program

Missouri courts appoint qualified interpreters under RSMo 476.800 to 476.806, with interpreter fees for parties and witnesses paid by the state from appropriated funds; the Missouri State Committee of Interpreters in the Division of Professional Registration separately licenses sign language interpreters.

Court-certified languages

RSMo 476.800 defines a qualified court interpreter as an impartial and unbiased person readily able to render a complete and accurate interpretation or translation between English and the non-English speaker's language; for deaf and hard of hearing persons, the commission recognizes RID (CSC, CI/CT, CDI) and NAD level 3-5 certificates and a provisional public school certificate under RSMo 209.322, and RSMo 209.321 requires a state interpreter license to practice.

The rule

RSMo 476.803 requires courts to appoint qualified interpreters and translators in all legal proceedings in which a non-English-speaking person is a party or witness, and for the non-English-speaking parent, guardian, or custodian of a juvenile; RSMo 476.753 requires auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters, for deaf persons in judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings.

State-paid court interpreters (2025 amendment)

As amended by SB 218 effective August 28, 2025, RSMo 476.806 makes interpreter and translator fees in civil, juvenile, and criminal proceedings payable by the state when the person needing the interpreter is a party or witness, with other interpreter costs taxable to the parties.

Deaf access beyond the courtroom

RSMo 476.753 requires auxiliary aids and services for deaf parties, jurors, and witnesses in any judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, including administrative hearings and mental health commitment proceedings, and in prison and juvenile-facility disciplinary hearings, medical care, counseling, and educational programs, and makes statements taken from a detained or arrested deaf person before an interpreter or auxiliary aids are provided inadmissible.

Sign language interpreter licensure

RSMo 209.321 prohibits anyone from representing themselves as an interpreter or practicing interpreting for deaf and hard of hearing people in Missouri without a license, and requires licensees to limit practice to their documented areas of competence.

Official language

Article I, Section 34 of the Missouri Constitution makes English the language of all official proceedings, defined as meetings of public governmental bodies, and RSMo 1.028 recognizes English as Missouri's common language.

Refugee program

Missouri stopped administering the federal refugee program in 2017, when the International Institute of St. Louis became the replacement designee and created the Missouri Office of Refugee Administration; beginning October 1, 2025, the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement requires states rather than nonprofits to receive and administer the funds, and the FY2027 budget carries $37.9 million in federal refugee resettlement funds under the Department of Social Services.