What ALTA Language Services Does

ALTA Language Services is a private translation and interpretation company that works with government agencies, courts, hospitals, and businesses. They do not run a public-facing program where you sign up for a discount card or membership. Instead, they are a vendor — an organization that gets hired by institutions to provide interpreters and document translation when those institutions need them.

If you need a document translated or an interpreter for a medical appointment, court hearing, or business meeting, you will not contact ALTA directly in most cases. Instead, the organization that needs the service — your hospital, your local court, your school district — contacts ALTA and pays them. You may encounter ALTA's services without knowing it, or you may be told by an agency that ALTA will be providing your interpreter.

ALTA operates in all 50 states and works in over 200 languages. They employ staff interpreters and also contract with freelance interpreters and translators. The company has been in business since 1973 and holds certifications from the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters and other professional bodies.

Key Takeaways

  • ALTA is a private company hired by courts, hospitals, schools, and government agencies — you do not contact them directly to request services.
  • If an institution tells you ALTA will provide your interpreter or translator, that service is usually paid for by that institution, not by you.
  • ALTA works in over 200 languages and provides both in-person and remote interpretation and document translation.
  • You can verify whether an interpreter sent by an institution is actually from ALTA by asking for their credentials or contacting the institution directly.

When You Might Encounter ALTA Services

Courts use ALTA interpreters for hearings, depositions, and legal proceedings. If you are involved in a court case and do not speak English fluently, the court may assign an ALTA interpreter at no cost to you — the court pays ALTA's fee. You will be told in advance which interpreter will be present, and you have the right to request a different interpreter if you have a valid reason (for example, if the assigned interpreter is a close relative or has a conflict of interest).

Hospitals and medical clinics use ALTA for patient appointments, emergency room visits, and medical consultations. If your doctor's office books an ALTA interpreter for your visit, you will not receive a bill for that service. The medical facility pays ALTA directly. Some hospitals use ALTA's phone and video interpretation services so an interpreter can join your appointment remotely.

Schools sometimes use ALTA for parent-teacher conferences, special education meetings, and communication with families who speak languages other than English. Government agencies — including immigration offices, social services departments, and licensing boards — may use ALTA interpreters for interviews and hearings.

Businesses occasionally hire ALTA for client meetings, depositions, or internal communications that require interpretation. In these cases, the business pays ALTA, not the individual who needs the interpretation.

How to Know If an Interpreter Is Actually From ALTA

If someone tells you that ALTA will provide your interpreter, you can verify this. Ask the institution (the court, hospital, school, or agency) for the interpreter's name and credentials. Professional interpreters carry identification or certification cards. You can also ask the interpreter directly for their credentials — this is a normal, professional request.

ALTA interpreters who work in legal or medical settings typically hold certifications such as Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI) or court certification through your state's court system. These credentials are separate from ALTA employment but are often required by the institutions that hire ALTA.

If you are suspicious that someone claiming to be from ALTA is not actually a professional interpreter, contact the institution that arranged the service and ask them to confirm. Do not proceed with a sensitive conversation — such as a medical appointment or legal proceeding — with someone whose credentials you cannot verify.

ALTA's Interpretation Services and Formats

ALTA offers three main formats for interpretation: in-person, phone, and video. In-person interpretation means an interpreter physically attends your appointment or hearing. This is standard for court proceedings and many medical visits. Phone interpretation connects you to an interpreter by telephone — useful for quick questions or when scheduling an in-person interpreter is not practical. Video interpretation uses a screen so you can see the interpreter while they work, which some people find easier than phone-only.

The institution hiring ALTA chooses which format to use based on the situation. You do not select the format yourself, but you can ask the institution why they chose a particular method and request a change if there is a good reason — for example, if you are deaf or hard of hearing, video interpretation may work better than phone.

ALTA also provides document translation for written materials: contracts, medical records, legal documents, birth certificates, and other papers. Again, the institution or business that needs the translation orders it from ALTA and pays the fee. Translation turnaround time depends on document length and language pair, but ALTA typically quotes timelines when you request a translation through the hiring organization.

What ALTA Does Not Do

ALTA does not provide free translation or interpretation services to the general public. You cannot call ALTA and ask them to translate a document for you at a discount or no cost. They are a business-to-business vendor, not a consumer service.

If you need a translation or interpreter for a personal matter — such as translating a family document, getting help with a personal letter, or interpreting a conversation with a friend — you will need to hire a translator or interpreter independently or look for community resources like nonprofit organizations, libraries, or community colleges that may offer low-cost services.

ALTA also does not provide legal information, medical information, or any information beyond accurate interpretation and translation. An interpreter's job is to convert words from one language to another as accurately as possible, not to explain what something means or to give you guidance on what to do.

Your Rights When Working With an ALTA Interpreter

You have the right to a may have access to, professional interpreter in legal and medical settings. If ALTA provides your interpreter, that interpreter should be trained, certified (where required), and impartial. They should not be a family member, friend, or someone with a personal stake in the outcome of your appointment or hearing.

You can request a different interpreter if you have a legitimate reason — for example, if the assigned interpreter is someone you know personally, if you believe they have a conflict of interest, or if you do not feel comfortable with them. Make this request to the institution (the court, hospital, or agency), not to ALTA directly. The institution will work with ALTA to find a replacement.

You also have the right to confidentiality. Professional interpreters are bound by codes of ethics that require them to keep what they hear private. This applies whether the interpreter is from ALTA or any other company.

Finding Low-Cost or Free Interpretation in Your Area

If you need interpretation or translation for a personal matter and cannot afford to hire a private company, several options exist. Many communities have nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost interpretation services. Your local library often has information about these organizations or can direct you to them. Call 211 (a free helpline in most areas) and ask for translation or interpretation services in your language.

Community colleges sometimes offer translation services at reduced rates through their ESL or foreign language programs. Religious organizations, immigrant advocacy groups, and community health centers may also provide interpretation at no cost or on a sliding scale based on income.

If you are involved in a court case and cannot afford an interpreter, tell the court. Courts are required to provide interpreters at no cost to people who need them, and they will arrange this — they may use ALTA or another vendor, but you will not be charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request ALTA specifically if I need an interpreter?

No. The institution that needs the interpreter — your court, hospital, or agency — decides which company to hire. You cannot request ALTA by name. However, you can ask the institution which company they use and whether they have other options if you have concerns about the one they selected.

Will I be charged for an ALTA interpreter if my court or hospital uses them?

No. Courts, hospitals, schools, and government agencies pay ALTA directly. You will not receive a bill. If a private business hires ALTA for a service you are involved in, the business pays, not you.

What languages does ALTA interpret?

ALTA works in over 200 languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Arabic, Korean, Tagalog, Russian, French, and many others. If you need interpretation in a less common language, ask the institution to confirm that ALTA can provide it before your appointment.

Can I use a family member as an interpreter instead of ALTA?

Courts and hospitals usually do not allow family members to interpret in official proceedings or medical appointments, even if the family member is bilingual. Professional interpreters are required because they are trained to be impartial and accurate. If you prefer a family member, ask the institution — they may allow it in some situations, but do not count on it.

How do I know if an interpreter is may have access to?

Ask for their credentials. Professional interpreters in medical and legal settings hold certifications such as Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI), Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI), or court certification. You can ask the interpreter directly or ask the institution that hired them to confirm their qualifications.