Translation and Interpretation Services for PCS Moves

Military OneSource provides free translation and interpretation services to military spouses during OCONUS moves and foreign-born spouses coming to the U.S. These services, offered by the Defense Department, help to ease stress for military personnel and families during PCS transitions to overseas installations or those new to the United States.

What services are available?

• Real-time help via the Military OneSource telephone interpretation service
• Interpretation services for more than 150 languages
• Document translations in more than 150 languages
• Document translations done in two or three days
• Translations of birth certificates, college transcripts, marriage documents, divorce documents and other paperwork
• Translations of leases, utility service agreements, employment contracts and employment-related benefit documents

You can also get documents translated from another language into English and from English into another language.

How does translation work?

Military OneSource translators will certify, notarize and include a certificate of authenticity. You can get translations in two to three days if the document is under 5,000 words. More time is required to process longer documents.

Medical documents, flyers, brochures that advertise installation events or family support programs do not qualify for translation. Military OneSource will direct you to the right people who can translate non-qualifying documents.

Call a Military OneSource consultant at 800-342-9647 if you need assistance with document translations. You may call collect if you are calling outside the United States or Canada and do not have access to the toll-free number. Make sure to have the document you need translated handy when you call.

What help is available to military family members who may not speak the language at their current location?

Whether stateside or overseas, moving to a place where you may not speak the language can be difficult. Military OneSource can help connect you with people who speak your preferred language. You can obtain language interpretation services over the phone. Military OneSource works diligently to interpret all languages for military families.

Anyone eligible for Military OneSource services can take advantage of free translation services. Visit the Military OneSource website or call 800-342-9647 for information about language interpretation services. OCONUS/International? View calling options. If your native language cannot be interpreted by Military OneSource, its staff will find community and government resources that can help.