Urdu interpreters and translation services.
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan under its Constitution and one of the languages listed in India's Constitution. In everyday speech it is close to Hindi, but it is written right to left in a Perso-Arabic script. California has the third-largest Pakistan-born population of any state, after Texas and New York, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey. AMS supplies Urdu interpreters for depositions and attorney-client meetings, in person in Los Angeles and the Sacramento region and remotely by Zoom or phone. Urdu is not one of California's certified court languages, so tell us about the proceeding and we will match a qualified interpreter.
Most quote requests are answered within 10 minutes.
Urdu varieties and dialects we handle
Standard Urdu
Written right to left in a Perso-Arabic script, usually in the flowing Nastaliq style. Much of its formal vocabulary comes from Persian and Arabic.
Urdu and Hindi
Close in everyday speech, but written in different scripts and apart in formal and legal vocabulary. For testimony, book the language the witness knows best; for documents, the script decides.
Punjabi and other languages of Pakistan
Many Pakistani clients grew up speaking Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, or another regional language and use Urdu as a second language. Confirm the client's first language before booking.
What we do in Urdu
Legal interpreting
Depositions, EUOs, IMEs, arbitrations, mediations, and trials in state and federal court.
Medical interpreting
IMEs, AME and QME panels, psychological evaluations, hospital interpreting, and workers-compensation medical appointments.
Document translation
Certified translation of legal documents, medical records, USCIS submissions, academic transcripts, and corporate materials.
Audio transcription
Verbatim transcription of depositions, recorded statements, surveillance audio, and recorded interviews.
Video remote interpreting (VRI)
Same-day VRI for telehealth, remote depositions, and any matter where on-site is not practical.
Conference and corporate interpreting
Simultaneous and consecutive interpreting for trade shows, internal meetings, and major events.
Cities and metros where AMS supplies Urdu
Why AMS for Urdu
Built around deposition work
Most of AMS's Urdu assignments are depositions, for law firms and court reporting firms, in person or remote.
Matched to the client's language
We confirm whether the client's first language is Urdu, Punjabi, or another language of Pakistan or India before we assign an interpreter.
One point of contact, anytime online scheduling
Request a quote online anytime and keep one scheduling contact from quote through invoice. For short-notice requests, call our office at (800) 919-2029.
Urdu interpreting questions, answered
Does California certify Urdu court interpreters?
No. Urdu is not on the Judicial Council of California's list of certified spoken languages. The Judicial Council lists Urdu among its registered languages, which have an oral proficiency exam in the language. AMS supplies qualified Urdu interpreters; ask about a specific interpreter's credentials when you request a quote.
Can a Hindi interpreter cover an Urdu speaker?
Do not assume so for testimony. Everyday Urdu and Hindi are close, but formal and legal vocabulary differ, and documents use different scripts. Tell us the client speaks Urdu and we will book an Urdu interpreter.
Does AMS provide Urdu interpreters for depositions?
Yes. Depositions are most of AMS's Urdu work. We cover them in person in Los Angeles and the Sacramento region and remotely by Zoom or phone anywhere in California.
Is there a federal court certification for Urdu?
No. The federal courts' interpreter certification program covers Spanish; the programs for Navajo and Haitian Creole are no longer offered. Federal courts use professionally qualified or language-skilled interpreters for Urdu.
Does AMS translate Urdu documents?
Yes. AMS translates Urdu documents for litigation, USCIS filings, and the courts, with the translator's certification statement those filings require.
Further reading
Which California languages need a certified interpreter
How the designated language list works, how to verify the current position yourself, and what to do when a language is not on it.
Certified or registered: which you may use at a deposition
The tier is set by statute and turns on whether the Judicial Council has designated the language.
What is a certified court interpreter, and why does it matter?
The three working tiers of court interpreter, and the consequences of hiring the wrong one.
California Court Interpreter Program: what counts as certified
How California certifies court interpreters, what languages are covered.
Court interpreter ethics: the four canons
The ethical standards that govern interpreter conduct in legal proceedings.
How to hire a medical interpreter for an IME
A practical checklist for scheduling medical interpretation.
Video remote interpreting (VRI): when it works and when it does not
A practical guide to choosing between on-site, telephonic, and video remote interpreting.
Certified vs. notarized translation: what each one means
The most common translation document statuses, explained for non-specialists.
Schedule an Urdu interpreter
Same-day Urdu interpreting is available. Request a quote or call our scheduling team.
Most quote requests are answered within 10 minutes.