Invoice templates for BSL interpreters billing legal, medical, and educational clients for British Sign Language interpreting services.
A sign language interpreter invoice is issued by a qualified British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter to a client for professional interpreting services. BSL interpreters facilitate communication between hearing and Deaf individuals in a wide range of settings: legal hearings, medical appointments, educational environments, corporate meetings, conferences, and public events. BSL interpreters in the UK are typically registered with the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) or the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI). Registration demonstrates qualification to at least Level 6 in BSL and Interpreting, and compliance with a professional code of practice. The Equality Act 2010 requires public bodies and employers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure Deaf employees and service users can access communication. This drives significant demand for BSL interpreters in legal, healthcare, and educational settings.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| BSL interpreting (per hour) | 70 | hour |
| Minimum booking (2 hours) | 140 | booking |
| Conference interpreting (per day) | 500 | day |
| Legal proceedings (per hour, premium rate) | 90 | hour |
| Travel time (per hour, 50% of interpreting rate) | 35 | hour |
| Short notice surcharge (<24 hours) | 50 | booking |
Issue invoices on completion of the assignment. Include the exact start and finish times, the location, and the nature of the assignment (legal hearing, medical appointment, conference) on the invoice. Minimum booking fees are standard in the interpreting profession. A minimum of 2 hours is common to cover the interpreter's preparation and commitment to blocking out their schedule. State this clearly in your booking terms. For legal proceedings, courts, and tribunal bookings, rate premiums apply given the high-stakes nature of the work. Many legal interpreters charge a separate preparation rate for reviewing materials in advance. For government-funded assignments (NHS, education, legal aid), invoicing may go through a central agency or interpreting service contract rather than directly to the client. Confirm the invoicing route at booking.