DMV will only issue driving record going back 10 years

[H&B 0]

What to do if you cannot be sure exactly how many alcohol related convictions on record? DMV will only furnish ten years of records. All of my offenses would be over ten years ago but I don't know if they would total 3 or not (been a long time and multiple states). Should I say no and hope for the best? I doubt the background check would be limited to ten years of data like I am:( What will be the likely affects of the way I answer the question....I can't say yes because I am not sure. If I say no how bad will it be if it turns out to be three or more convictions?? At worst is it a delay.....that they just want to make sure the beneficiary will be made aware of all convictions? I cannot change the past and don't need to hide it, just want to get thru this part as smoothly as possible. Anyone have experience to share about them finding things you did not state/ what were the results? Thanks

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I'm not picking on you, (okay maybe a little) but it must be a big number if you can't remember!

What to do if you cannot be sure exactly how many alcohol related convictions on record?...

[desert_fox 32]

Even if you dont remember, it will come up on your FBI backgroud check. Any one arrested in this country has there finger prints etc. sent to the FBI.

You dont need your DMV records, but the court records. Can be obtained from the court where you were convicted.

[H&B 0]

I'm not picking on you, (okay maybe a little) but it must be a big number if you can't remember!

What to do if you cannot be sure exactly how many alcohol related convictions on record?...

Well....I don't think the number means anythng to anyone but me. I think here we deal with the process and try to help each other regardless of the personal details, how to navigate the immigration process based on each of our unique situations. If you have a perfect past...well bless you my son You can just send a few papers and go to the airport to get your fiance....

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I'm not saying I have a perfect past. But I would certainly think most people would remember being pulled over for an alcohol related offense! Those are treated pretty seriously and tend to become indelible in peoples minds. I was pulled over 30 years ago on New Year's. You better believe I, not only remember this one time, but the gratitude shown by the officer who allowed me to get home with no citation (since I was only two streets away).

I'm not picking on you, (okay maybe a little) but it must be a big number if you can't remember!

What to do if you cannot be sure exactly how many alcohol related convictions on record?...

Well....I don't think the number means anythng to anyone but me. I think here we deal with the process and try to help each other regardless of the personal details, how to navigate the immigration process based on each of our unique situations. If you have a perfect past...well bless you my son You can just send a few papers and go to the airport to get your fiance....

[pushbrk 13,217]

Nevertheless, the man doesn't remember for certain whether the number is more than two. I take it he knows it's at least two. Our opinion about his not remembering is completely off topic and judgmental.

The relevant IMBRA question requires a yes or no answer. If you answer yes, you'll need to get the court records. You can't do that unless you can find three sets of court records. Unless you have three places to obtain records, a yes answer will stymie you ability to even file. The remaining option appears to be a "no" answer.

I'm not saying I have a perfect past. But I would certainly think most people would remember being pulled over for an alcohol related offense! Those are treated pretty seriously and tend to become indelible in peoples minds. I was pulled over 30 years ago on New Year's. You better believe I, not only remember this one time, but the gratitude shown by the officer who allowed me to get home with no citation (since I was only two streets away).

I'm not picking on you, (okay maybe a little) but it must be a big number if you can't remember!

What to do if you cannot be sure exactly how many alcohol related convictions on record?...

Well....I don't think the number means anythng to anyone but me. I think here we deal with the process and try to help each other regardless of the personal details, how to navigate the immigration process based on each of our unique situations. If you have a perfect past...well bless you my son You can just send a few papers and go to the airport to get your fiance....

[H&B 0]

Yes, most people would, especially those that were very good boys and I am happy that you did not have this issue in your case, seriously. If this mild New Years Eve interaction was the worst thing of my past I would likely remember clearly like you, except I would remember showing gratitude toward the officer....I don't think he owed you any This post has potential value only to those that do have an issue or those that would like to extend positive advice or insight on the topic such as pushbrk has. I am sure that the background check coming up with more convictions than were reported is a common occurrence. I would like to know what happens in these cases. How does USCIS react to this, do they get really pissed and assume you purposefully witheld information or do they just require you to go and get the documents for the offenses they find so they will have their data to provide to the beneficiary? This would amount to a delay, unwelcome but not the end of the world. I have not spent a lot of time here or felt the need to analyze the intended nature of the website or forums...seems pretty simple, we are here to learn and share, no room for judging or personality conflicts, thanks.

I'm not saying I have a perfect past. But I would certainly think most people would remember being pulled over for an alcohol related offense! Those are treated pretty seriously and tend to become indelible in peoples minds. I was pulled over 30 years ago on New Year's. You better believe I, not only remember this one time, but the gratitude shown by the officer who allowed me to get home with no citation (since I was only two streets away).

I'm not picking on you, (okay maybe a little) but it must be a big number if you can't remember!

What to do if you cannot be sure exactly how many alcohol related convictions on record?...

Well....I don't think the number means anythng to anyone but me. I think here we deal with the process and try to help each other regardless of the personal details, how to navigate the immigration process based on each of our unique situations. If you have a perfect past...well bless you my son You can just send a few papers and go to the airport to get your fiance....

[pushbrk 13,217]

I don't know what will happen if you answer no and the correct answer is yes. I just know that if you answer yes, and don't provide the court records, you're dead in the water. So you can either find three court records or you can't.

Yes, most people would, especially those that were very good boys and I am happy that you did not have this issue in your case, seriously. If this mild New Years Eve interaction was the worst thing of my past I would likely remember clearly like you, except I would remember showing gratitude toward the officer....I don't think he owed you any This post has potential value only to those that do have an issue or those that would like to extend positive advice or insight on the topic such as pushbrk has. I am sure that the background check coming up with more convictions than were reported is a common occurrence. I would like to know what happens in these cases. How does USCIS react to this, do they get really pissed and assume you purposefully witheld information or do they just require you to go and get the documents for the offenses they find so they will have their data to provide to the beneficiary? This would amount to a delay, unwelcome but not the end of the world. I have not spent a lot of time here or felt the need to analyze the intended nature of the website or forums...seems pretty simple, we are here to learn and share, no room for judging or personality conflicts, thanks.

I'm not saying I have a perfect past. But I would certainly think most people would remember being pulled over for an alcohol related offense! Those are treated pretty seriously and tend to become indelible in peoples minds. I was pulled over 30 years ago on New Year's. You better believe I, not only remember this one time, but the gratitude shown by the officer who allowed me to get home with no citation (since I was only two streets away).

I'm not picking on you, (okay maybe a little) but it must be a big number if you can't remember!

What to do if you cannot be sure exactly how many alcohol related convictions on record?...

Well....I don't think the number means anythng to anyone but me. I think here we deal with the process and try to help each other regardless of the personal details, how to navigate the immigration process based on each of our unique situations. If you have a perfect past...well bless you my son You can just send a few papers and go to the airport to get your fiance....

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Oh, VJ is far from that simple. We all get opinionated from time-to-time. That's what makes these forums fun and interesting.

We all aren't Lord Pushbrk, that silver tongued devil (i mean angel).

...I have not spent a lot of time here or felt the need to analyze the intended nature of the website or forums...seems pretty simple, we are here to learn and share, no room for judging or personality conflicts, thanks.

[pushbrk 13,217]

Oh, VJ is far from that simple. We all get opinionated from time-to-time. That's what makes these forums fun and interesting.

We all aren't Lord Pushbrk, that silver tongued devil (i mean angel).

...I have not spent a lot of time here or felt the need to analyze the intended nature of the website or forums...seems pretty simple, we are here to learn and share, no room for judging or personality conflicts, thanks.

Opinions are common and expected. In my opinion, off-topic judgmental opinions are best kept to yourself. They are not helpful.

What if when you asked a question, somebody responded with, "I just don't see how any US Citizen could ever consider marrying a commie."? Mind you, that's an example only. My wife is the daughter of retired General of the People's Army of "Communist" China, so we're as liable to see such a comment as you are. Let's just keep the judgments out of the forum.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Well, I'm hardly the only one that expresses free opinions in these forums.

Do you get that often Pushbrk? Every now and then I get someone, off the street, with that ####### too. "Why do you want to marry a commie?" Depending on my mood, I either answer, because I'm one too! (and ready myself for the response!) or explain that "Gorbie" is no longer in office and there have been some changes!

That is truly interesting regarding your wife.

Opinions are common and expected. In my opinion, off-topic judgmental opinions are best kept to yourself. They are not helpful.

What if when you asked a question, somebody responded with, "I just don't see how any US Citizen could ever consider marrying a commie."? Mind you, that's an example only. My wife is the daughter of retired General of the People's Army of "Communist" China, so we're as liable to see such a comment as you are. Let's just keep the judgments out of the forum.

[ronnielee67 2]

What to do if you cannot be sure exactly how many alcohol related convictions on record? DMV will only furnish ten years of records. All of my offenses would be over ten years ago but I don't know if they would total 3 or not (been a long time and multiple states). Should I say no and hope for the best? I doubt the background check would be limited to ten years of data like I am:( What will be the likely affects of the way I answer the question....I can't say yes because I am not sure. If I say no how bad will it be if it turns out to be three or more convictions?? At worst is it a delay.....that they just want to make sure the beneficiary will be made aware of all convictions? I cannot change the past and don't need to hide it, just want to get thru this part as smoothly as possible. Anyone have experience to share about them finding things you did not state/ what were the results? Thanks

Hey Man,

I haven't been here in a long time. I want to tell you about me previous alcohol problems .

When I packed all the records from every county I had a previous charge in, I simply put a note in that read. " The root of these charges is obvious. I Quit drinking in 2002. Thus, no more charges."

It was the truth. I had one charge from 1991 for "terrorizing the people of Gaston county. On the print out , it read, " Go Armed To Terror." I was drunk and carrying a 45 cal. Assalt rifle down the street. Even though it was dismissed through a deal with the D.A. to have the weapon destroyed, it was still on my record. "Terror"! A hell of a word to have in your history.

Now, I may be wrong , but I don't think they can use your convictions against you for aproval or not. It's purpose is to let your fiancee know about your history. Right?

I was honest with her and everyone else in this process about my alcoholism and everything turned out the way it was suppsed to. Ilyana has been here with me just over a year now.

Day 2205 sober

[akdiver 3]

What to do if you cannot be sure exactly how many alcohol related convictions on record?

Definitely, stop drinking. When you get so many DUIs that you can't keep track of them all, that's a definite indication of a problem.

It's too bad that DUI isn't a capital offense - or at least a mandatory lifetime ban on obtaining a driver's license nationwide. I'd much rather see Congress pass a law like this than concerning itself with drug use in baseball.

As for the form - you can add attachments to you explain your answers. For that question, just add an attachment and say you've had so many that you can't remember them all, don't know what states you have been convicted in, and ask them to do an extra thorough FBI check so that maybe they can find them all.

Edited September 24, 2008 by akdiver

[truffles 2]

If you cannot remember is it possible you could get the court records yourself to be sure exactly what you have on your records?

My understanding is that it just isnt worth taking the risk of getting it wrong - they could interpret any discrenpancies in a negative light. Remember that they do ask you to sign the form with the understanding that the information you give is correct,.

The USCIS site offer a guide to filling in the form and it might be worth taking a look at that.

Good Luck with your journey.

[MsZ 6]

Can't you request your own FBI records through a freedom of information act request? Then you'll know what they know.