Legal Interpreting Guidelines in Guam

Requirements for Certified Interpreters in Guam

Certified interpreters are not mandatory in Guam courts, but courts are encouraged to use them.

Court systems in Guam periodically offer exams for certification in the following languages:

Candidates must pass the written exam in order to qualify to take an oral examination. The oral examination measures a candidate’s ability to accurately perform simultaneous as well as consecutive interpretation and sight translations as encountered in the federal courts.

Classification of Interpreters in Guam

Guam classifies interpreters in the following two ways:

• Certified Interpreter: An interpreter who has passed both a written exam as well as a three-part oral exam, completed a two-day orientation seminar, and upholds the Guam Interpreter Code of Conduct.
• Registered Interpreter: An interpreter who has successfully passed a written exam, completed a two-day orientation seminar, and upholds the Guam Interpreter Code of Conduct. Registered interpreters may also be required to submit to an oral examination.

For other languages, individuals may contact local federal courts to determine if that court has a need for the language of expertise. The local federal court will determine on a case-by-case basis whether the prospective interpreter is able to work in the court system.

Call Legal Language Services at 1-800-788-0450 to find Guam interpreters who meet interpreting rules for courtroom trials, hearings, depositions, arbitrations and other legal proceedings.

Common Languages Spoken in Guam

Although English is the primary language used in Guam, other languages spoken on the island include:

Please Note

The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The information about legal interpreting guidelines in Guam is believed to be accurate at the time of posting; however, Legal Language Services is not responsible for any errors or omissions.