Interpreters work as independent contractors with the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Standards and policies of these services will be disclosed in this document. In order to have time to secure an interpreter, requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the date services are needed.

Initial Fee: $60–$100* (for a 2-hour minimum requirement)
Hourly Rate: $30–$50 each additional hour
*Initial fee and hourly rate are dependent upon the certification level of the interpreter.

Interpreting Agency
Requests that cannot be filled through our independent contractors and requests made with less than two weeks’ notice may be referred to an interpreting agency. Agencies work with numerous interpreters, thus may be more likely to fill an interpreting need. Note that agency interpreting rates will not be the same as listed above.

Number of Interpreters Required
Due to the taxing nature of the profession, assignments 1.5 hours or longer require a team of two interpreters.

Interpreter Cancellation Policy
The requestor will be billed for the full duration of the assignment if it is cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice of the start time of the requested event or liturgy.

Payment Terms
Interpreter will submit an invoice directly to the party responsible for payment. Payment should be made directly to the interpreter within 30 days.

Responsible Party
The party responsible for payment of interpreting services depends on the type of event or liturgy.

• Parish liturgies, events, and sacramental formation: Parishes are responsible to be as inclusive as possible in providing evangelization, catechetical formation, and sacramental preparation for parishioners with disabilities.¹ If assistance is needed, please note in interpreter request form.

Other examples include:

• Weddings: The family is responsible for paying the interpreter.
• Funerals: According to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the funeral home, as a place of public accommodation, has the responsibility to provide interpreting services for the Deaf.

¹See: Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities I-5.

Please give us more details to help us respond to your request. For instance, if you require more than 3 dates of interpreting services, indicate so in the box provided above.