Book an interpreter

You can book an interpreter

• by filling in an online form
• by text message
• by phone
• by email
• via our remote service
• by mail.

We recommend that you use the online form to book an interpreter. This way we can best ensure that your data is protected.

How to book an interpreter

Give the following information when you book an interpreter:

• your name, date of birth and customer number
• why you need an interpreter (for example to attend a work meeting or for a doctor’s appointment)
• date when you need an interpreter
• start and end time for the interpreting session
• whether you need on-site or remote interpretation.

If you want to book on-site interpretation, please also provide the following information:

• address and municipality where the interpretation will take place
• place where you will meet the interpreter.

If you want to book remote interpretation, tell us what software you use. Send a link to the remote connection or tell us where the interpreter can access the link.

Also provide the following information, if relevant:

• what kind of interpretation you need (for example speech-to-text)
• if the interpreter needs to have knowledge of a specific subject that relates, for example, to your job. (Read more about the interpreter services for persons in working life)
• if there are others present who use the interpreter services
• what your role will be (for example, whether you will make a speech or hold a presentation)
• whether a foreign language will be used during the interpreting session (for example English)
• where the interpreter can find background information to prepare for the interpreting session.

We may ask you for more information, if necessary.

Use the online form to book an interpreter

Book an interpreter through other means

How to use the online form

• You can use the online form to make one booking at a time. If you want to make more than one booking, fill in a separate form for each booking.
• You can use the online form to book an interpreter for a maximum of one day. If you need an interpreter for a longer period of time, please contact the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled.
• After you have filled in the form and pressed Lähetä (Send), you will see a confirmation page. The page will tell you that your booking has been sent to us. If no confirmation page is displayed, your booking has not been sent correctly. If this happens, please contact the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled and give them the following information:
  • your first and last name
  • the date and time you made the booking
  • your region
  • the form ID of your booking.

Contact information for the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled.

How to change or cancel a booking

If you have to make changes to your booking, please tell the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled right away. Let the Centre know if, for example, the time, date, subject matter or meeting place changes. Contact information for the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled.

Remember to cancel your booking if you do not need an interpreter after all. That way another customer can book the interpreter.

If you do not cancel your booking, we will deduct its hours from the interpreting service hours allocated to you. Read more about how many hours of interpreter services you can get.

You cannot use the online form to change or cancel your bookings. If you want to make changes to your booking, please contact the Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled.

How to book an interpreter for someone else

You can book an interpreter on behalf of another person if they cannot do it themselves. You can book an interpreter, for example, if

• you are a parent or a guardian and you want to book an interpreter for your child
• you are an assistant, employer or a home help employee and you want to book an interpreter on behalf of an adult aged 18 or over.

You will always need a mandate (valtuutus) to book an interpreter on behalf of an adult. The mandate can be given to you

• in writing by signing a power of attorney (valtakirja)
• verbally, but only for one booking.

You will usually not need a mandate when booking an interpreter for your child. Kela gets information from the Population Information System that tells us you are the child’s parent or guardian.

If the adult you want to help cannot give you a mandate and they do not have a guardian or a legal representative (edunvalvoja), you can book an interpreter for them without a mandate. However, in that case you must be that person’s close relative or otherwise in charge of managing that person’s affairs. You will also need Kela’s approval.

Please note that an interpreter cannot make a booking on behalf of a customer. However, an interpreter can interpret in a situation where the customer makes a booking themselves.

You can use the online form to book an interpreter for a child or on behalf of an adult. Send us a copy of your power of attorney together with the form if you have not already sent one to Kela before.

Read more about acting on someone else’s behalf at Kela.

Read more about authorising another person to act on your behalf.

If we cannot find an interpreter for you

We will let you know if we cannot find a suitable interpreter for you. The Centre for Interpreting Services for the Disabled will continue to look for an interpreter for you. You may also be asked if you want to reschedule your booking.