Every interpreter, except those certified under the rules of the Supreme Court and who have taken the prescribed oath of office, appointed pursuant to sections 25-2401 to 25-2407, before entering upon his or her duties as such, shall take an oath that he or she will, to the best of his or her skill and judgment, make a true interpretation to such person unable to communicate the English language of all the proceedings in a language which such person understands and that he or she will, in the English language, repeat the statements of such person to the court, jury, or officials before whom such proceeding takes place.
§ 25-2405.Interpreters; oath.
Article 24: Interpreters · Last amended 2009 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section requires every interpreter appointed under sections 25-2401 to 25-2407, except one already certified and sworn under Supreme Court rules, to take an oath before serving to interpret truly for the person needing help and to repeat that person’s statements in English to the court, jury, or officials.
Full Text of § 25-2405
Source
Laws 1973, LB 116, § 5; Laws 1987, LB 376, § 15; Laws 2002, LB 22, § 11; Laws 2009, LB35, § 14.
Plain-English Summary
Section 25-2405 adds a formality to the appointment process: before taking up the assignment, an interpreter must swear an oath. The oath commits the interpreter to make a true interpretation, to the best of the interpreter’s skill and judgment, of all the proceedings into a language the person understands, and to repeat that person’s statements in English to the court, jury, or officials.
The section carves out one exception. An interpreter already certified under the rules of the Supreme Court, who has already taken the prescribed oath of office that comes with that certification, does not need to take a separate oath for each appointment. Everyone else appointed under this article takes the oath described in the section before starting the assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every interpreter have to take a separate oath before each appointment?
No. An interpreter already certified under Supreme Court rules and who has taken the prescribed oath of office for that certification is exempt.
What does the oath require the interpreter to promise?
To make a true interpretation, to the best of the interpreter’s skill and judgment, of the proceedings in a language the person understands, and to repeat that person’s statements in English to the court, jury, or officials.
When must the oath be taken?
Before the interpreter enters upon duties in the proceeding.
Why does a certified interpreter skip this oath?
Certification under Supreme Court rules already comes with a prescribed oath of office, so the section does not require a duplicate oath for each case.
What if an interpreter serves without taking the required oath?
The section does not spell out a specific remedy; it states the oath as a condition an interpreter must satisfy before serving, apart from the certification exception.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: court interpreter oath requirementnebraska interpreter oath of officecertified interpreter oath exceptiontrue interpretation oath statuteinterpreter sworn duty nebraska