Applying for Citizenship 5 year rule, traffic tickets, reschedule interview and travel planning..

J

jefkorn

Registered Users (C)
Hi everyone!
I meant to post this for Aug 15 community calls but missed the deadline so posting it here for fellow members. I would love to hear your take/experience on these.

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Dear Rajiv,
Thanks for continuing this service, it's greatly appreciated. Few questions regarding applying for citizenship based on 5 year rule (employment based GC)

1. What's your opinion on disclosing traffic tickets especially when one doesn't even remember where and when was the traffic ticket given? Should one request a driving report from all states where the applicant lived and attach that with teh applications even if it came out all clear? I know in some cases the record may not be present in the state's central system but going by memory the applicant has some vague recollection of getting a ticket and paying it but can't lcoate the exact details?

2. Does one need to attach additional documentation such as income tax transcripts from IRS for last five years,
driving record to prove that applicant tried to find the record of any traffic tickets but no record was found in the state's DMV system OR apply with simply the N-400 form along with fee, photographs?

3. Husband and wife are applying together but wife may need to travel after finger printing, is there a ball park estimate of how long it may take from finger printing to call for interview?

4. How can one go about reschedule an interview if one can't attend it for personal reasons? Applicant might be out of country at the time of interview date. Is rescheduling ais a big no-no or is it normal and doesn;t introduce a hole lot of delay in the processing?
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I was active five years ago but then took a break from the forum. Can't believe it's been 5 years and I'm back in the citizensship forum.

Best regards!
 
jefkorn said:
1. What's your opinion on disclosing traffic tickets especially when one doesn't even remember where and when was the traffic ticket given? Should one request a driving report from all states where the applicant lived and attach that with teh applications even if it came out all clear? I know in some cases the record may not be present in the state's central system but going by memory the applicant has some vague recollection of getting a ticket and paying it but can't lcoate the exact details?

I believe if no arrest and its a simple traffic ticket <$500 then no need to disclose. I assume if you dont remember any, they likely were not worth much

2. Does one need to attach additional documentation such as income tax transcripts from IRS for last five years,
driving record to prove that applicant tried to find the record of any traffic tickets but no record was found in the state's DMV system OR apply with simply the N-400 form along with fee, photographs?

Apply with fee and photos, and for stuff where they ask for attachments such as travel or arrest

3. Husband and wife are applying together but wife may need to travel after finger printing, is there a ball park estimate of how long it may take from finger printing to call for interview?

probably about a month

4. How can one go about reschedule an interview if one can't attend it for personal reasons? Applicant might be out of country at the time of interview date. Is rescheduling ais a big no-no or is it normal and doesn;t introduce a hole lot of delay in the processing?
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YOur interview letter provides instructions on rescheduling

I was active five years ago but then took a break from the forum. Can't believe it's been 5 years and I'm back in the citizensship forum.

Best regards!
Click to expand...

See within
 
Thanks Dedo! and I saw your other post about your experience at Baltimore after I posted my reply. so congratulations on your journey! Let me read your expereience at http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?560072-My-22-year-journey-comes-to-a-close

One month between fingerprinting and interview? That sounds promising but should I take that to mean that case could be approved at the interview? My current district office is Boston and it shows approx time as five months for N-400 applications. I know those posted processing times are estimates and not exactly how long it might take for them to process application.

Regarding reschedung the interview, I wanted to find out if it's trivial process or requires one to move heaven and earth like most thinns with USCIS?

Tickets were below $500 but I may still run the online DMV driver history which in MA costs about $6 and I'm assuming it will show me all tickets and any details about fines.

Applying for N-400 doesn't seem to require a whole lot of documentation upfron but I understand that one needs to have the supporting docs ready for interview.
 
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jefkorn said:
Thanks Dedo! and I saw your other post about your experience at Baltimore after I posted my reply. so congratulations on your journey! Let me read your expereience at http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?560072-My-22-year-journey-comes-to-a-close

One month between fingerprinting and interview? That sounds promising but should I take that to mean that case could be approved at the interview? My current district office is Boston and it shows approx time as five months for N-400 applications. I know those posted processing times are estimates and not exactly how long it might take for them to process application.

Regarding reschedung the interview, I wanted to find out if it's trivial process or requires one to move heaven and earth like most thinns with USCIS?

Tickets were below $500 but I may still run the online DMV driver history which in MA costs about $6 and I'm assuming it will show me all tickets and any details about fines.

Applying for N-400 doesn't seem to require a whole lot of documentation upfron but I understand that one needs to have the supporting docs ready for interview.
Click to expand...

Here is my timeline and the Baltimore office shows average 6 months end to end:
03/20/13: N-400 mailed to Dallas, TX
03/24/13: N-400 delivered
03/29/13: Check cashed
04/01/13: NOA received
04/04/13: FP notice received
04/19/13: FP done
05/09/13: In line for interview scheduling
06/29/13: Interview scheduled
08/06/13: Interview done
08/06/13: Oath Ceremony
08/08/13: Applied for Passport
XX/XX/13: Received Passport

To address your questions:
Mine was little more than 1 month from interview letter received to the actual interview, and 3.5 months from fingerprinting to actual interview

Yes, most cases are approved right at the end of the interview, unless the officer needs to do more due diligence, so make sure you go fully prepared with all documentation to avoid sending stuff in later

If Boston is showing 5 month for the full process it could happen faster

Not sure how hard it is to reschedule, but only do so if absolutely necessary. Why mess with it otherwise?

Makes sense to run a DMV check if you are unsure

Yep, not a lot of documentation required with the application unless you answer a question that requires supporting documentation.

My advice: Go fully prepared. Take everything with you...there is a huge checklist in one of the sticky posts on this forum, and while it may be overkill, I think it never hurts to be over prepared. You do not need to share anything at the interview unless they ask or if you feel the need to clarify something. I took most things on that list and never needed one of them. However, the officer knew i came prepared and he knew all was going to be smooth.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
 
Hey dedo! thanks for taking the time to detail your journey with dates..very helpful. You are right..it's ALWAYS better to be over prepared and not being asked than say being asked a silly little thing and not have the doc to support it.

It will be interesting to see what the driving record shows..I hope it shows the traffic tickets..I had slid and hit the guard rail so got a ticket for speeding or property damage but I don't remember it to be over $500..

I'm getting in the grove of things after 5 years..I had to file WOM to get my GC and I way active then on the forums...felt like a real community and I'm getting the same feel again with members like you and of course the rest here. ;)
 
You are welcome. Its exciting and there are a lot of questions that one has during this stage. I know I asked a lot of seemingly simple questions during this stage. Ask away, lots of good help here
 
I noticed that processing times for Baltimore show as following:

N-400 Application for Naturalization December 1, 2012

Looking at your timelines, it doesn't appear that your case follows the timelines posted. I guess that's a good news for me. Looking at Boston office timelines, they are posting 5 months time.

Also I don't know when does wait clock start? Is it from the time the application is delivered to national processing center or when it 's sent to district office?

How does one know if the file has been transferred to local district office?
 
jefkorn said:
I noticed that processing times for Baltimore show as following:

N-400 Application for Naturalization December 1, 2012

Looking at your timelines, it doesn't appear that your case follows the timelines posted. I guess that's a good news for me. Looking at Boston office timelines, they are posting 5 months time.

Also I don't know when does wait clock start? Is it from the time the application is delivered to national processing center or when it 's sent to district office?

How does one know if the file has been transferred to local district office?
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I think it starts when at National Processing. i dont think there is a way to know when it goes local
 
jefkorn said:
Regarding reschedung the interview, I wanted to find out if it's trivial process or requires one to move heaven and earth like most thinns with USCIS?
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Requesting a reschedule is trivial. But once you request a reschedule, the interview date become highly unpredictable. You could get another interview date in 1 month, or you could still be waiting after 6 months.
 
Thanks Jackolantern! That's helpful. I guess the bottom line is unless one is ok with the potential delay, don't reschedule. But it's not that bad if one absolutely has to do it for personal reasons!
Jackolantern said:
Requesting a reschedule is trivial. But once you request a reschedule, the interview date become highly unpredictable. You could get another interview date in 1 month, or you could still be waiting after 6 months.
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For others who want something close to definitive regarding traffic tickets, look here

Share what you have found in your experience, an opinion from an attorney online or offline. thanks
 
Ok so I posted my questions with slight variations for conference call and got Rajiv's response to them.

First of all I have to say that I'm honored and pleasantly surprised that Rajiv remembered me as an old forum member and recognized my contribution to the forum in today's conference call. I really appreciate and value that. So Thanks Rajiv :-) That really meant a lot to me..I can finally brag to my wife (and possible others on the forum) that jefkorn is was recognized by Rajiv ;)

It's an honor to be a member here and help others by our shared experiences!

Onto the transcription of Rajiv's relevant phone response:

"jefkorn oh I think I know this particular member of our community, yeah because he is been member since June 2002, almost a 1000 posts wow. yeah I remember you, we have talked also before. Now you are filing your naturalization excellent, ok very good. "

1. What's your opinion on disclosing traffic tickets especially when one doesn't even remember where and when was the traffic ticket given? Should one request a driving report from all states where the applicant lived and attach that with the N400 application even if driving history report simply says "no offence found"? I know in some cases the record may not be present in the state's central system but going by memory the applicant has some vague recollection of getting a ticket and paying it but can't lcoate the exact details.
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RAJIV's Answer:

You can attach a letter, you can say that there are traffic ticket that I don't remember the exact details and you can also put down whether they were moving violations or misdemeanors or minor violations such as parking tickets so it's always a good idea ti disclose it and let the Govt do what they want to do with it. If you can't find out and don't know where they are, in the FBI check they should be able to pull out any serious problems. So usually a good idea and you can put down the fact that when I look at he driving history I can't find anything but I know there were some things so go ahead and attach a letter or statement.

2. Does one need to attach with the application additional documentation such as income tax transcripts from IRS for last five years to prove timely filing of tax returns,driving record to prove that applicant tried to find the record of any traffic tickets but no record was found in the state's DMV system OR apply with simply the N-400 form along with fee, photographs and copies of GC?
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RAJIV's Answer:
Whatever the N400 asks for that and only that.

3. Attaching a Cover letter with the application, is that a good idea? Or is it not really required for "simple" cases?
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RAJIV's Answer:

Sure, it's not really required but I want yo uto talk about your traffic offenses.

4. On form N400: Question C. If you have ever used other names, you will have a chance to enter them below.

Say my full name is "John Al Smith".

In the beginning of my immigration journey, trying to make sure that my name appears as it should, I have some times used "John Al" in the first name (given name) fields on some older H1 applications and Smith as the last name. In other cases, I may have used "Al Smith" as the last name and "John" as the first name. But in the end if you were to provide full name it would always end up being "John Al Smith".

I don't think I have ever provided this variation in names in my I-485 or more recent immigration filings.

Should it be brought up now on N-400 form keeing in mind that name variations were never mentioned in prior immigration filings under the particulat sections that ask for "other names used"?
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RAJIV's Answer:

You should always give all your names. It makes it easier for them to do a security check for you so go ahead and whatever names you used during your life list them all. So if you used John Smith or Al Smith or John Al, list them all down.

Do I run the risk of mulitple name check runs and potentially getting stuck in mulitple name checks?
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RAJIV's Answer:

I think it's a good idea even if they do muliple name checks. I want you to get your naturalization absolutely clean. There should be no doubts. So disclose everything or overdisclose it if necessary.

Some more comments of encouragement from Rajiv:

"Anyhow good luck and it's great to see that you are still around 1000 posts wow! you have worked hard with us."
 
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