Parking ticket

[ilngrl777 2]

I had gotten a parking ticket (didn't move car in time for street sweeper) in NJ before my green card was even process (was in status though) and now that I have it and will be looking forward to citizenship, I realize from this forum (and others) that tickets seem to be a big deal.

I paid the ticket a few days after receiving it, but never thought to keep a record of it.

Is it such a big deal and will I need to show the payment when I file for citizenship? And what will happen if I don't mention it since I have no proof I paid it (even though I did)? Should I try to retrieve the payment from the office I paid it at?

Thanks in advance for any contributions.

[No-Where-Man 147]

Hello

First of all, you don't want ever to lie at any of your immigration papers.lying while gaining immigration benefits may cause you to lose that benefits, and in some cases removal from the country.

You got a ticket, you paid it, you did the right thing. You should mention it in your citizenship N-400.

If they found out about it and you did not report it, you will be denied.

If you lost record of it, I am not sure but I believe you can go to the court where you paid your ticket and retain a certified copy as a prove it was paid and taken care of.

Good luck

I had gotten a parking ticket (didn't move car in time for street sweeper) in NJ before my green card was even process (was in status though) and now that I have it and will be looking forward to citizenship, I realize from this forum (and others) that tickets seem to be a big deal.

I paid the ticket a few days after receiving it, but never thought to keep a record of it.

Is it such a big deal and will I need to show the payment when I file for citizenship? And what will happen if I don't mention it since I have no proof I paid it (even though I did)? Should I try to retrieve the payment from the office I paid it at?

Thanks in advance for any contributions.

[ilngrl777 2]

Oh, trust me, lying is not an option for me. I just wanted to know if I needed any evidence of the payment. That's all. But I think it's best I go to the court house and try to get a receipt or something.

Thanks for the reply.

[NickD 203]

All depends on if you get a hard headed IO or not, not really required to provide proof for minor traffic violations or paid parking tickets, just something they started about a year ago. But better to be prepared or will experience more delays.

Murphy's law applies here, if you have proof you paid your fines, won't ask, if you don't, they will.

[pandawars 7]

just giving my two cents...

i didn't really read the fine print in the section about fines and citations and listed none. in reality, i've been pulled over a few times for speeding but never issued a ticket, only warnings. i've probably gotten 20 parking tickets over the course of 17 years of having my driver's license since I turned 16 but didn't write that. i also got pulled over once for not having my registration on my license plates up to date and got my car impounded but again, I didn't receive a ticket.

at my interview, my IO asked me if I had ever gotten a ticket and I said I've gotten a few parking tickets. She asked if I paid them and if there were any outstanding ones, I said, yes I've paid them or have contested them and won. She moved right on without issue.

i think the major thing they're looking for in that section is if you've been arrested for some sort of crime.

again, this is my experience and what happened to me. oh, and I passed my interview and am a citizen as of wednesday.

[No-Where-Man 147]

While som IO might not even mention it, it has been always my way of doing things safely. better being safe than worried.

Take it with you, if asked you are prepared, if not, even better.

Oh, trust me, lying is not an option for me. I just wanted to know if I needed any evidence of the payment. That's all. But I think it's best I go to the court house and try to get a receipt or something.

Thanks for the reply.

[ChetT 9]

I am in the same situation. I see no where on the N-400 application asking about traffic violation/ticket.

It's hard to go to every county court I have ever lived. Do you think the INF-1125 do the trick ?

[ilngrl777 2]

I know the courthouse that I paid the ticket, but I wouldn't even know what information to give them to retrieve it. I do remember paying cash. Would it be under my name? I don't have the plates on the car anymore, nor do I remember what they were.

[No-Where-Man 147]

I do not know about that.

I was able to go to BMV website and I was able to get a free instant driving record, since I did not have any tickets it shows nothing, but may be it shows at your?!

If yes it might be how you get information to take with you to the court.

Hope someone else give more detailed answer to this one

Edited April 20, 2012 by no_where_man

[ilngrl777 2]

I do not know about that.

I was able to go to BMV website and I was able to get a free instant driving record, since I did not have any tickets it shows nothing, but may be it shows at your?!

If yes it might be how you get information to take with you to the court.

Hope someone else give more detailed answer to this one

I appreciate you taking the time out.