If you're willing to pay the fine, then pay it ASAP and bring the payment receipt to the oath. I've read numerous accounts on this forum where an applicant received a ticket before the oath and was refused oath until the ticket was paid or dismissed. If you are really guilty and know that you won't win if you challenge the ticket in court, then you have a couple more days to pay it. If you are not guilty and think that you can get it dismissed, I'd suggest thinking about going to court, as most traffic violations can cause your insurance rates to skyrocket for the next several years.
Traffic tickets and naturalization (threads merged)
- Thread starter patel789
- Start date
If you're willing to pay the fine, then pay it ASAP and bring the payment receipt to the oath. I've read numerous accounts on this forum where an applicant received a ticket before the oath and was refused oath until the ticket was paid or dismissed. If you are really guilty and know that you won't win if you challenge the ticket in court, then you have a couple more days to pay it. If you are not guilty and think that you can get it dismissed, I'd suggest thinking about going to court, as most traffic violations can cause your insurance rates to skyrocket for the next several years.
Yes, I believe you should mention it and attach an explanation with it as to why you had not mentioned it before.
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
Do you have a copy of the I-485? I filed mine a little more than three years ago, and it asks if you have ever "been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, fined or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance, excluding traffic violations". So if that was the wording of the question on the version of the I-485 form you filled out, there was nothing wrong with omitting that incident.
It depends if you're potentially willing to delay your oath date. Worst case scenarios is that you'll have to wait after original oath date to pay ticket and they ask you at oath date to provide proof of payment of ticket before they can administer oath. Best case scenario is that you mention ticket at oath, but that they don't ask for proof of payment and let you proceed with oath. It's really hard to say how they will rule as it can go either way.
I did get a reckless driving ticket in TN 6 plus years back...I have not even mentioned in the form. I did not go to court as I lived in MD and sent them a letter. The fine was less than $500 for sure and I had to pay it. Not sure what should I do for my interview? If I have to get the records for out of state ticket, how can I get it? Do they even keep records more than 3 year old?
nyc_nyc_nyc
Registered Users (C)
why did u do it? u should becareful at the times of things like that dont u agree..be very careful
Some municipalities keep records for more than 3 years, some don't. For instance, the NYS DMV purges driver records once they turn 3 years old. However, Nassau County (eastern Long Island, NY) has its own traffic violations bureau that apparently doesn't report to the NYS DMV and keeps records for considerably longer than that. I was able to get a payment record for a ticket that I received in 1999.
Triple Citizen
Registered Users (C)
Since it was a citation you need to mention it. Reporting requirments differ between an N-400 and an I-485. You should be ok.
If I go to this site, they have records for only 3 years and it doesn't say if the ticket was paid...
http://www.dmv-department-of-motor-vehicles.com/TN_Tennessee_dmv_department_of_motor_vehicles.htm
rick92
Volunteer Moderator
The NYS driver abstract doesn't say if the ticket was paid either. However, it does explicitly state the status of the license. If it's valid, then there are no outstanding tickets. NYS DMV automatically suspends your license if you don't answer a ticket within 15 days of issue.
Someone on the NYC thread mentioned that he contacted the DMV and requested that they send him a letter indicating that all tickets have been paid. Perhaps you can request a similar letter from the TN DMV?
No problem. You'd better hurry up, though, since you only have 3 weeks from today! Also, make sure you tell the person at the DMV that you need this for a naturalization interview. That may prompt them to respond quicker.
rick92
Volunteer Moderator
Not any more, the updated I-485 has similar language as the N-400 now. Almost all the questions are similar covering the following: moral character, affiliations, removal, exclusion, and deportation proceedings sections. They even have a blurb about selective service now - reminding male applicants to register.
Specifically is asks this in the new I-485: "Have you ever, in or outside the United States been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, fined or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance, excluding traffic violations?"
So those who did not provide info about arrests or tickets because the language was different in the older forms may need to mention this on the N-400 application and take proof of payment or dismissal. I would also take a copy of the I-485 as well. When I filled out the I-485 form it had 3 pages and now it has 4.
Last edited by a moderator:
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
But don't bring it to their attention. Just list it on the N-400 and keep quiet. If they ask about the discrepancy between the I-485 and the N-400, that's when it is time show them that the older version of the I-485 specifically excludes traffic violations.Please, cite N400 reporting requirements and their differences with the I-485.
rick92
Volunteer Moderator
got it... tricky questions on old forms and new forms for tricky people... and if you miss anything.... hummm.... sounds like a trap... rather....
http://epwsgdp1.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/caseSearch.do
this site for virgina has the court information relating tickets that I think should be enough to take for interview purpose.
this site for virgina has the court information relating tickets that I think should be enough to take for interview purpose.
spygame1122
Registered Users (C)
Speeding ticket 4 days before OATH
Hi,
Just received a Speeding ticket today for goin 45mph on a 30mph limit. my Oath is on Tuesday 7/15 at 1.30 (SFO).
Should i mark "YES" for point 4 'Have you been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, convicted, fined or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance , including traffic violations' on Form N-445 Notice of Oath Ceremony.
Officer informed the citation will not be in the system for 2 to 3 weeks.
Should i take the citation "notice to appear" with me to oath ceremony. will they let me take the oath ceremony.
please help.
Hi,
Just received a Speeding ticket today for goin 45mph on a 30mph limit. my Oath is on Tuesday 7/15 at 1.30 (SFO).
Should i mark "YES" for point 4 'Have you been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, convicted, fined or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance , including traffic violations' on Form N-445 Notice of Oath Ceremony.
Officer informed the citation will not be in the system for 2 to 3 weeks.
Should i take the citation "notice to appear" with me to oath ceremony. will they let me take the oath ceremony.
please help.