N-400 question 23... traffic tickets?

[teresaandkurt 2]

Are they really interested in a plain old vanilla traffic stop? (i.e my australian husband did once get a ticket for.... driving the wrong way/on the wrong side of the road...)

I seem to remember some exception on some prior set of forms that anything with a fine of less than some amount was not relevant....

[No name 88 48]

Are they really interested in a plain old vanilla traffic stop? (i.e my australian husband did once get a ticket for.... driving the wrong way/on the wrong side of the road...)

I seem to remember some exception on some prior set of forms that anything with a fine of less than some amount was not relevant....

This question comes up a lot. Some people say yes and some people say no. The I/O may ask for a court record if reported.

It would first be good to understand the ticket in that state and look up the law. Some states count some traffic infractions as a criminal charge so it would require reporting.

In general you're not required to report traffic tickets on the N-400 if the fine was less than $500 and didn't involve a DUI. It does say any citation on the form but apparently they are not interested in petty tickets as reported by previous VJ members actual experiences. Just ensure the fine on the ticket had been paid and if asked about tickets at the interview you tell them about the ticket, what the fine was and that you paid it.

I did fined this interesting poll. It seems the best answer is don't put it on the N-400 and odds are the IO won't ask or won't really matter if they do. I bet the people required to provide court documentation had a DUI in this poll.

View Poll Results: For those who have been interviewed, and had traffic tickets: 264 Votes.

• I mentioned them on the N-400. The IO did not ask about them

  11.36%

• I mentioned them on the N-400, and told the IO about them

  5.68%

• I mentioned them on the N-400, and told the IO about them. He/she asked for court dispositions

  3.41%

• I mentioned them on the N-400. The IO asked me about them

  12.50%

• I mentioned them on the N-400. The IO asked me about them. He/she asked for court dispositions

  6.82%

• I did not mention them on the N-400. The IO did not ask about them

  34.09%

• I did not mention them on the N-400, and told the IO about them

  14.02%

• I did not mention them on the N-400, and told the IO about them. He/she asked for court dispositions

  1.89%

• I did not mention them on the N-400. The IO asked me about them

  7.58%

• I did not mention them on the N-400. The IO asked me about them. He/she asked for court dispositions

  2.65%

Edited March 19, 2014 by Todd&Hanh

[Tom_Jim 40]

Todd & Hanh, fascinating poll. Thanks for sharing.

Todd & Hanh, fascinating poll. Thanks for sharing.

[Birdo 16]

Interesting poll! Very varied distribution of outcomes. But since it seems at least somewhat likely that the IO might ask about the infraction, from my perspective I would a) list it on the N400, and b) have any paperwork showing the ticket has been cleared.

I fall into the category of I listed on the N400, had some paperwork with me and IO couldn't have cared less about it. All she said when I brought it up was "you paid the ticket, right?"

In theory any traffic ticket under $500 that does not involve DUI should be disclosed on the N400 but documentation is not required. But the IO can ask whatever they want and what are we to do? Tell them no?

So go figure...

[Messybrownhair 251]

I am disclosing my speeding ticket ($110 fine, paid, no traffic court or points off) because to me the instructions seem like you are supposed to disclose everything, but will not need to show any documentation about it if its less than $500.. so I shouldn't have to show proof that I paid it or whatever. I will have it with me, just in case.

[teresaandkurt 2]

Thanks all for the replies. I'li probably end up going to dig up the receipt for the fine anyway, but it's reassuring to hear the responses....

[youngwanderer 2]

I listed two traffic tickets (both under $500 fines, neither were DUIs) on my application. I was given an N-14 Request for Evidence at the end of my interview for court dispositions, to be mailed back to USCIS within 30 days of my interview, before my application can be approved.

It was incredibly frustrating because my officer told me after my interview that I should have just not listed the tickets because they don't care if they're under $500 and don't involve drunk driving. He said they would never have found out about the tickets.

The worst part is I received these tickets over three years ago when I lived on the west coast (I'm in NY now) and it's been a nightmare trying to contact the courts for these documents. These courts destroy ticket records after three years and I can't physically walk in to request a certified court letter saying I paid my fines and I'm clear. I have to mail in written requests and it'll take at least 45 days to turn around. So frustrating. I wish I had not listed my tickets.

[Birdo 16]

If you list them, prepare to bring evidence of payment/cleared etc. with you. Because here's how it works in life: if you are prepared or over prepared, things seem easy and in regards to Interviewing Officer for our cases, they don't care about the tickets and/or go by the actual rules they are supposed to go by. Which are: Anything under $500 does not require documentation, so the officer should not require any documentation from you. Even if you disclose it, they are not supposed to ask for documentation, but you cannot argue this point with the officer because it will not get you anywhere with the USCIS.

Youngwanderer: I'm sorry this happened to you. It's frustrating dealing with the whole USCIS, and I hope you will be able to get your clearances from the courts.

[dioxide45 25]

This is perhaps the most frustrating question on the entire form. I had one single moving violation over 15 years ago before I even moved to the US. Sure they are not supposed to require documentation if the fine is less than $500, but if I answer yes to that question the only way to prove that the fine was less than $500 is to have the driving records to back it up. Getting ones hands on 15 year old driving records, while not impossible, isn't easy. Especially when you no longer carry the drivers licence you got the ticket under.