Questions regarding N-400 application

[juliava 80]

Hello everybody,

I am preparing my N-400 application and I have 3 questions:

1. I recall getting a speeding ticket sometimes in early 2009 for driving 42 miles/hour on a 30 miles/hour road. I paid the fine, it was about $165. I want to mention it on my N-400 form; however, I don't remember the date, and I don't know where my receipt is either in order to provide exact information. Is there a way to access these records so I could provide the right date and the exact amount I have paid for the ticket?

2. On N-400 form there are a couple of questions for me and my husband asking how many times have we been married. This is our first marriage for both of us; hence, should I answer "1"? The same for children - we don't have any; should I simply enter "0" for the question asking how many daughters and sons do we have? I know this may sound silly, but I believe it's always wise to double ckeck!

3. We have a balance with the IRS. However, we have filed our taxes jointly every year and we have been enrolled on an automatic monthly payment plan from the very beginning. I am planning to submit my tax transcripts for the past 3 years, but I do not know what exactly to submit as a proof that I pay the IRS every month. What exactly should I send in that regards and where can I get that documentation from?Is there a way to access it online?

Thank you very much for your responses, you guys are the best!

Edited April 4, 2013 by juliava

[chami123 5]

1. u don't need to include the speeding ticket on ur application, when i did mine i got a citation for my car registration was expired and i didn't include mine, i didnt have any problem i got approve the IO didnt even mention that.

2. thats pretty much self explanatory

3. u do have to show proof that u have a payment arrangement with the IRS, u can try to contact the IRS or whoever set up that payment arrangement to see if they can send u a letter showing that u have payment installment

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

Hello everybody,

I am preparing my N-400 application and I have 3 questions:

A speeding ticket probalby shows up on crimianal background check. Depends on the state. When i got my copy, I joked with the gir1 and said "have i been good?" she said "yes but you need to slow down.".

and other: Go to IRS office and ask for certified copiies of tax transcripts and statement showing payments. You should be getting a monthly statement from them showing payments and balance. If not, ask for these.

[juliava 80]

1. u don't need to include the speeding ticket on ur application, when i did mine i got a citation for my car registration was expired and i didn't include mine, i didnt have any problem i got approve the IO didnt even mention that.

2. thats pretty much self explanatory

3. u do have to show proof that u have a payment arrangement with the IRS, u can try to contact the IRS or whoever set up that payment arrangement to see if they can send u a letter showing that u have payment installment

Thank you for your input. Let me understand this correctly: are you saying that I shouldn't mention my speeding ticket on N-400 form?

[juliava 80]

A speeding ticket probalby shows up on crimianal background check. Depends on the state. When i got my copy, I joked with the gir1 and said "have i been good?" she said "yes but you need to slow down.".

and other: Go to IRS office and ask for certified copiies of tax transcripts and statement showing payments. You should be getting a monthly statement from them showing payments and balance. If not, ask for these.

Thank you for your answer. I will definitely go to the IRS office tomorrow; hopefully it will not be busy!

Did you mention your speeding ticket on your N-400 form? What "copy" were you talking about?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

A speeding ticket is a citation, so you are required to list it. However, you do not have to provide documentation to the fact, although the I.O. has the discretion to ask for it. Most do not. Give information about the time to the best of your ability.

The question is indeed confusing. Write 1 as the correct answer.

You will need to provide proof of a payment arrangement with the IRS. The I.O. basically wants to make sure that you are on good terms with Uncle Sam.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

1. Go to the county court where it occurred. You will have a court record.

2. Yes 1 and yes 0

3. There should be some sort of paperwork that you can get outlining you have a payment plan.

[juliava 80]

A speeding ticket is a citation, so you are required to list it. However, you do not have to provide documentation to the fact, although the I.O. has the discretion to ask for it. Most do not. Give information about the time to the best of your ability.

The question is indeed confusing. Write 1 as the correct answer.

You will need to provide proof of a payment arrangement with the IRS. The I.O. basically wants to make sure that you are on good terms with Uncle Sam.

Thank you!

In your opinion, is it necessary to write a detailed description of the speeding ticket's circumstances on a separate sheet of paper or is it enough just to mention the date of the event, and the outcome in the provided columns?

[juliava 80]

1. Go to the county court where it occurred. You will have a court record.

2. Yes 1 and yes 0

3. There should be some sort of paperwork that you can get outlining you have a payment plan.

Thanks, Vanessa. For some reason, I feel that this process is more demanding than ROC. The speeding ticket occurred in Arlington, VA and I currently reside in Northern New Jersey. Looks like I need to contact the Arlington Court House to figure everything out. Hopefully I won't need to take a trip down to DC for this, that would be ridiculous.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks, Vanessa. For some reason, I feel that this process is more demanding than ROC. The speeding ticket occurred in Arlington, VA and I currently reside in Northern New Jersey. Looks like I need to contact the Arlington Court House to figure everything out. Hopefully I won't need to take a trip down to DC for this, that would be ridiculous.

A lot of the time court records are available online. Give them a call, otherwise you may need to send down an authority to mail it with a return envelope or something.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Thank you!

In your opinion, is it necessary to write a detailed description of the speeding ticket's circumstances on a separate sheet of paper or is it enough just to mention the date of the event, and the outcome in the provided columns?

No.

The I.O. will spend less than a minute on it. It's a non-issue. What matters is that you were honest about it. I had a ticket for answering the cell phone at my naturalization interview and the I.O. looked at the ticket, said "nothing else?" and that was it.

[Hedi 24]

Thank you!

In your opinion, is it necessary to write a detailed description of the speeding ticket's circumstances on a separate sheet of paper or is it enough just to mention the date of the event, and the outcome in the provided columns?

My husband had two tickets that we disclosed on his application. He wrote in the locations, the dates.. under why were you detained etc, he put "speeding ticket" and under the "outcome" he wrote "cleared though traffic school". He did not include any detailed description on a separate piece of paper.

He got he yellow letter today for what he needs to take into this interview next month, and one item is "records of his arrest". Obviously he wasn't arrested, so he will have the court records, the traffic school paperwork and the receipts showing he paid off the fines. I don't think this will be a huge issue as both tickets were under $500, but we felt it was important to disclose both violations, and if he is asked to show proof, he has the documentation.

[juliava 80]

Thank you everybody! I called the Arlington county Court and I was able to request information about my speeding ticket. Also, I sent them a letter with a self-addressed envelope and $1 check to request a copy of that report ( I may use it at the interview).