Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
The state should have a web site where you can get driving records for the past 3-5 years, or they can be requested in person at the DMV.
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Traffic tickets and naturalization (threads merged)
- Thread starter patel789
- Start date
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
Do you know of any where the tickets were more than 5 years old?I agree with Ladybuggy. There've been many "interview experience" posts where the IO demanded proof of payment for traffic tickets that do not meet the $500/DUI/DWI criteria.
Sure, it's better to have them if they're readily available, but as I am in no rush to get citizenship, I am not going to go out of my way to proactively get documentation for a 10+ year old ticket that isn't $500/DUI/etc. and probably isn't obtainable anyway. If they actually ask for it, that's when I'll expend the effort.It's better to bring proof of payment/court dispositions for as many traffic tickets as you can find, rather than be sent home with an RFE and have your interview rescheduled.
Do you know of any where the tickets were more than 5 years old?
That I'm not sure about. In fact, I don't believe anyone ever specified how old the tickets were.
Sure, it's better to have them if they're readily available, but as I am in no rush to get citizenship, I am not going to go out of my way to proactively get documentation for a 10+ year old ticket that isn't $500/DUI/etc. and probably isn't obtainable anyway. If they actually ask for it, that's when I'll expend the effort.
I recently made a post about my experience with old tickets, so I'll paraphrase it here. NYS DMV purges driving records after 4 years, unless the offense is DUI/DWI, in which case it's kept on your record for 10 years. I have 2 tickets (both minor offenses) that fall well outside of that timeframe. I obtained my driver abstract from the DMV, which contained the past 4 years of my record, then filed a FOIA request with the DMV to obtain other records. Since I already spoke with an employee at the DMV's FOIA department, who told me that I cannot obtain records for violations that are older than 4 years, I enclosed a letter with the FOIA request. In the letter, I asked the DMV to provide a letter stating that driver records older than 4 years are destroyed and ,therefore, cannot be provided. I received this letter in about 2 weeks.
On a side note, I am now debating whether or not to disclose those old tickets at all. Since records of them cannot be obtained, what's the point?
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
If USCIS or ICE wants to dig up something against you to strip you of citizenship, they'll find a way to get those records somehow and say that you lied by not disclosing them on the application. The records do exist, even if they're locked away in some old faraway warehouse.On a side note, I am now debating whether or not to disclose those old tickets at all. Since records of them cannot be obtained, what's the point?
While you guys are on the subject. I have a really important question in regards to traffic tickets. Here goes...
On my N-400 where it asks for any citations etc..I put NO for the answer. Don't know what I was thinking!! I do have perhaps 3 or 4 traffic violations in the past 5 years. What are my options? Should I submit a new N-400 with the correction or call USCIS and let them know about this? Please advise.
On my N-400 where it asks for any citations etc..I put NO for the answer. Don't know what I was thinking!! I do have perhaps 3 or 4 traffic violations in the past 5 years. What are my options? Should I submit a new N-400 with the correction or call USCIS and let them know about this? Please advise.
If USCIS or ICE wants to dig up something against you to strip you of citizenship, they'll find a way to get those records somehow and say that you lied by not disclosing them on the application. The records do exist, even if they're locked away in some old faraway warehouse.
True. However, I can just as effectively argue that I simply forgot about a summons that I received 13 years ago. I just want to try to avoid having to file a lawsuit, in case I get an IO who had a bad day and decides to take it out on me by denying my application because I can't obtain proof of something that happened over a decade ago.
While you guys are on the subject. I have a really important question in regards to traffic tickets. Here goes...
On my N-400 where it asks for any citations etc..I put NO for the answer. Don't know what I was thinking!! I do have perhaps 3 or 4 traffic violations in the past 5 years. What are my options? Should I submit a new N-400 with the correction or call USCIS and let them know about this? Please advise.
It's no big deal. I also put NO on my N-400. Bring proof of payment/court dispositions to your interview and ask the IO to amend your application.
It's no big deal. I also put NO on my N-400. Bring proof of payment/court dispositions to your interview and ask the IO to amend your application.[/QUOTE
I would not ask the IO to ammend or anything, just wait till they get to part 4, typically they go through the form in a stepwise fashion, when he comes to "have u ever been cited" mention that never except a couple of speeding tickets. And if they want to go into detail they will.
It's no big deal. I also put NO on my N-400. Bring proof of payment/court dispositions to your interview and ask the IO to amend your application.[/QUOTE
I would not ask the IO to ammend or anything, just wait till they get to part 4, typically they go through the form in a stepwise fashion, when he comes to "have u ever been cited" mention that never except a couple of speeding tickets. And if they want to go into detail they will.
Thanks for the heads up! I've heard about not volunteering any information unless specifically asked for, but I wasn't sure how to deal with the traffic ticket issue. I'll definitely follow your suggestion.
I got a ticket for talking on the cell phone in NYC. I lived in NC, had NC tags at the time and my Drivers License was Washington state?
How would I go about getting my record of this ticket?
Do i need it?
And the officer that wrote the ticket felt so bad for me when I literally broke down in tears that he said don't worry about it as he held me in his arms(lol). But how do I check to see if it is there? please advise!
How would I go about getting my record of this ticket?
Do i need it?
And the officer that wrote the ticket felt so bad for me when I literally broke down in tears that he said don't worry about it as he held me in his arms(lol). But how do I check to see if it is there? please advise!
I got a ticket for talking on the cell phone in NYC. I lived in NC, had NC tags at the time and my Drivers License was Washington state?
How would I go about getting my record of this ticket?
Do i need it?
And the officer that wrote the ticket felt so bad for me when I literally broke down in tears that he said don't worry about it as he held me in his arms(lol). But how do I check to see if it is there? please advise!
You should get a copy of the record, just to be on the safe side. This link should have everything you need to get a record: http://www.nysdmv.com/abstract.htm
Has anyone been denied Citizenship if they miss to list the traffic tickets in N400? I thouht traffic ticket had nothing to do with N-400 unless it is a serious one or numerous times.
I've heard that the USCIS cannot deny your application simply because you have too many tickets. There's a user who used to frequent this forum (lotechguy) who mentioned a lawsuit back in 1968(?), where a denial of naturalization on the basis of "too many traffic violations" was overturned by the court.
what if we did not know and did not list them as citations in N-400? I personally think it should be too much of a problem... if you are really worried, like many said take a new N-400 with everything listed.
My thoughts exactly. Of all the arguments and discussions on this board, traffic tickets are definitely among the most popular. Some people list them, some don't. Both types become naturalized. I think it's a personal decision whether or not to list them.
Citation between Interview and Oath
I have had a citation (stop sign violation) since my interview. How does it affect the oath ceremony? I believe on the oath letter they have a set of questions where they ask if have any citations since the interview. Anybody with such experience?
Thanks,
Vinayak
I have had a citation (stop sign violation) since my interview. How does it affect the oath ceremony? I believe on the oath letter they have a set of questions where they ask if have any citations since the interview. Anybody with such experience?
Thanks,
Vinayak