Old Court Records.

[lovecyercat 0]

My Interview for Citizenship is on Friday. Six years ago ( before I was even given my CLPR status) I had a case that was expunged through local municipal court. I had to wait for the court to be finished and after I had proper paper work showing my case has been expunged and I showed it to the immigration officer- I was given my Green Card. Two years later when it was the time to remove my conditions- I have been asked to show the copy of the court records and the expungement document once more, I went to the court- paid $5 and have been given the record right away. Now, when I received my interview notice- I saw - I am required to show that copy once more. So I went to the court, but since it has been more then 5 years, I was told to fill out the form in front of the notary, pay $5 fee and wait... 7-8 weeks!!!!! Since the "court is backed up and it will take them a while to research the records". I was told I will get a phone call once they have it. It's now been 4 weeks and no phone call and my interview is just days away. First of all- I do not understand- why the immigration needs this same paper over and over again- don't they already have it on file? I mean it is the same file and I would not been given my green card 6 years ago if I have not showed it to the officer. Now you may ask me why I simply did not make the copy of the damn document- BUT- the immigration requires the original court certified copy. So what do I do now? If I only knew I'd ask court for 10 certified copies 6 years ago, but for whatever reason I have figured- once they have it- it's always there- in the thick folder they have on me. Now I am writing this is a half rant/half ask for help/advice type of attempt. I am sure worse case scenario they will tell me to just wait until I will get that phone call, get my paper and forward it to them, then they will proceed with my case. But maybe there is someone else out there who had this type of experience? Who has a word of advice for me? And if not- I hope this will be an example for someone else in the future, to get all your ducks in a row WAY before you are thinking to apply for citizenship! And I thought I got everything well covered!!! UGH!

Edited October 31, 2012 by lovecyercat

[TBoneTX 45,309]

Perhaps during your interview, make the forceful point that they HAVE the original -- twice -- in the folders right in front of them. Prove that the copy that you're holding is an exact match of the originals that they have. if that isn't good enough, then the only thing to do is to wait until the court gets around to providing you with another original.

[lovecyercat 0]

Perhaps during your interview, make the forceful point that they HAVE the original -- twice -- in the folders right in front of them. Prove that the copy that you're holding is an exact match of the originals that they have. if that isn't good enough, then the only thing to do is to wait until the court gets around to providing you with another original.

Thank You!

[lovecyercat 0]

Just wanted to update this for future reference! They do have EVERYTHING on file, so if you ever submitted an original form to them- they have it on file! I did not end up needing that document, although it did ARRIVE by the mail to me in the morning of the interview! CRAZY! The interview was very easy! And I got approved!!!!! Can't wait for the Oath Ceremony!

[coloso 6]

Keep up us update hopefully next friday will be of good blessings for you...

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I ended up submitting a copy of the Court letter stating they no longer have any files related to my case (windsurfing without a lifejacket - had to appear in Court and paid a $10 fine). I included the original letter with the AOS petition, then had to get another copy to include with the ROC. I made copies of it before I sent it off. For the N400, I included one of the copies and told them they already had 2 original letters that said the same thing in their file and if they wanted a 3rd, I would get it, but believed that this should be sufficient as nothing had changed. At my interview, she read the copy of the court letter -smiled when she read what the 'offense' was - and moved on to the next page without saying a word.

At your interview, the interviewer will have your WHOLE file right in front of him/her. They will remove the N400 related paperwork from the file for the interview and then return it to the file afterwards, so they will have the originals with them in the office with you in your file folder.

So,I would mention at your interview that they already have two originals on file, that if they want you to provide the third, you have the process in the works, but it isn't going to say anything different than they already have and ask her if they can just refer to that instead - or make a copy of the original and put it in with the N400 paperwork. I suspect they are more concerned about 'new' documentation they don't already have. It would be sensible (but when was USCIS ever sensible!) for the instructions to state 'if not already submitted, submit an original . . . "

Don't worry . Study your test questions and good luck at the interview.

Edited November 5, 2012 by Kathryn41

[TBoneTX 45,309]

Just wanted to update this for future reference! They do have EVERYTHING on file, so if you ever submitted an original form to them- they have it on file! I did not end up needing that document, although it did ARRIVE by the mail to me in the morning of the interview! CRAZY! The interview was very easy! And I got approved!!!!! Can't wait for the Oath Ceremony!

Congratulations, si man!