Unsure about whether to apply for citizenship

[Undecided 78]

Hi I’m new here (although not new to the USA). I’ve been a green card holder for almost 35 years (married to a us citizen) and to be honest, I’ve never felt the need to get naturalized. Any way I have recently started to think about it and to that end I’ve been going through the application and  notes. Now while it will be a pain to get all the documents together (marriage, divorces for both of us, bc for kids etc) the thing that does give me pause is this. When I was 18 (45 years ago) I got an official caution from the Chief constable of Dorset because I dinged a police car in a parking lot. Yes, I know, I know. Well I haven’t thought about except as a story you tell but looking through the form I’m wondering if that has to be included. I wasn’t fined or anything, and the only reason I got it was because it was a police car. Embarassingly, I cannot remember if I mentioned it when I got my visa and my husband doesn’t remember either. So do you think I need to get the paperwork for this? It is apparently possible to get although not exactly easy. And if I didn’t mention it then, should I mention it now? I know the general rule is to simply be open and honest about 

everything but is this actually something I need to mention. I wasn’t arrested, or charged as far as I remember - I just got this caution sent to me a few weeks afterwards.

 

Thoughts?

Edited June 22, 2019 by Undecided

[Amadia 711]

I'd say disclose it. The first question under Criminal history asks if you were ever cited but not arrested. So the answer for you would be Yes.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

You can order a UK police certificate from ACRO https://www.acro.police.uk/acro_std.aspx?id=2379

It will have the record if there is one. Then you'll know if you have to remember it or not. 

[Undecided 78]

Yes it’s the ACRO thing I was thinking about,

 

Well I’ll think about whether I want to do it at all.

 

incidentally I do wish the instructions for completing the form were more on point. As you say the text of the form talks about cite (and obviously you have to go with the text) but then the instructions for filling out that section don’t mentioned the word cite at all. All it does it talk about arrests and detention and charges or not charges. Now I recognize that that is just referring to documentation that needs to be provided rather than incidents that need to be mentioned but not documented like speeding tickets but you can see why people get confused.

 

And it’s this following paragraph that that is specifically confusing me.

 

“NOTE: You must submit documentation of traffic incidents if: (1) The incident involved alcohol or drugs;
(2) The incident led to an arrest; or
(3) The incident seriously injured another person.
You do not need to submit documentation for traffic fines or incidents that did not involve an arrest or did not involve drugs or alcohol, if the only penalty was a fine of less than $500 or points on your driving record.”

 

because it was a traffic incident and there was no fine and no points.

 

I feel I need to mention it but I’m still unclear if I need to document it.

 

Sigh. But yes I know what the advice will be, so thank you.

Edited June 22, 2019 by Undecided

[Wuozopo 4,293]

53 minutes ago, Undecided said:

I feel I need to mention it but I’m still unclear if I need to document it.

 

If you mention it, then you need to document it. 

 

53 minutes ago, Undecided said:

Sigh. But yes I know what the advice will be, so thank you.

I know what I would do. #seniorcitizen, #iforgot 😂

 

Edited June 22, 2019 by Wuozopo

[Undecided 78]

But why does it need to be documented when the section of the instructions I quoted says it does not? Yes I get the belt and braces approach, and if I decide to go ahead I will do because why waste all this time, effort and money, but I have to say it’s less than clear.

 

I mean to say my case is a little different to a speeding ticket so maybe. But what you are saying there is if you mention for example a speeding ticket (because yes, you were cited) you also need to document. And the instructions say you don’t have to. ???

[Undecided 78]

Whoops and I forgot to say thank you. So thank you 😊 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, Undecided said:

But why does it need to be documented when the section of the instructions I quoted says it does not? Yes I get the belt and braces approach, and if I decide to go ahead I will do because why waste all this time, effort and money, but I have to say it’s less than clear.

 

I mean to say my case is a little different to a speeding ticket so maybe. But what you are saying there is if you mention for example a speeding ticket (because yes, you were cited) you also need to document. And the instructions say you don’t have to. ???

Purely my thoughts, not based on instructions.

"Let sleeping dogs lie"

 I imagine ...if you start talking about it, then they may ask if you have documentation. I was asked. So if you are going to talk about it , then bring the braces. How would they know the charges or if less than $500 if they didn't have the documentation.  A  Cambridge bloke from my visa time got delayed at citizenship because he mentioned letting air out of the neighbor's tires when he was 12 years old and the police were called. He had to order an ACRO police certificate.  But a delay after interview probably doesn't bother you since you've waited 35 years without taking the leap.

[Undecided 78]

Do you think it’s ok to have all the documentation for interview, or should one get it to upload with the application?

[little immigrant 801]

2 hours ago, Undecided said:

Do you think it’s ok to have all the documentation for interview, or should one get it to upload with the application?

Is there a specific place for it where you can upload it? I haven't done my application online, only by paper. I suggest to upload it if there is a dedicated question for it or to bring it if there is no dedicated question. Report back on what you decide as I'm sure it will be helpful to others 😊

[Wuozopo 4,293]

6 hours ago, Undecided said:

Do you think it’s ok to have all the documentation for interview, or should one get it to upload with the application?

Mine was all on paper. I did not list a traffic incident due to the instructions. I later got documentation of the paid fine. At interview when they go over every question, I said "I wasn't clear on this one if I had to list a speeding ticket and $100 fine". Do you have documentation? Scribbling notes on my application. Never said yes required, but took the document.