If you don't speak English well or don’t feel comfortable speaking English, you have the right to get free help in your language when using government services.
What kind of language help can I get?
You can get:
- A free interpreter to help you talk to people
- Free translations of important documents
You don't have to:
- Bring your own interpreter
- Ask family or friends to interpret
- Pay for an interpreter or translations
What is an interpreter?
An interpreter is someone who helps people who speak different languages talk to each other. They can help:
- In person
- Over the phone
Where can I get language help?
You can get free language help at places that get money from the U.S. government, like:
Courts and Legal Offices:
- Federal courts
- State and local courts
- Legal services offices
Government Offices:
- Social Security offices
- Immigration offices (USCIS)
- Social services or welfare offices
- Unemployment offices
- Police departments
Healthcare and Education:
- Hospitals
- Schools
Remember: These places cannot refuse to help you just because you don't speak English well.
What if I don't get language help?
If you are not given language help, you can file a complaint:
How to file a complaint:
- Get the complaint form on the US. Department of Justice website.
- Fill out the forms
- Make copies for yourself
- Mail the original forms to: Federal Coordination and Compliance Section - 4CON Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20530
Need help filing a complaint? Call:
- English and Spanish: (888) 848-5306
- Voice: (202) 307-2222
- TDD: (202) 307-2678
You can also check if the agency you want to complain about has its own complaint process.
Last Reviewed: January 10, 2025