Traffic Violations and Citizenship Application

Traffic violations can lead to citizenship denials. However, not all traffic violations will lead to citizenship denials.

Do speeding tickets affect citizenship application approval?

Generally, you don’t have to submit documentation when applying for citizenship if you got a speeding ticket that resulted in a penalty of less than $500 or points on your driving record. So it might not affect your citizenship application.

However, if the penalty is higher than $500 you need to submit documentation and it could affect your citizenship application.

If the traffic incident that led to a speeding ticket also involved drugs or alcohol or led to an arrest or it led to seriously injuring a person then you need to submit documentation related to the traffic incident when filing Form N-400. This could lead to citizenship application denial and also a ban on re-applying for citizenship for 5 years.

If you have committed such crimes and you need guidance do not hesitate to connect with a lawyer today.

Does running a red light affect citizenship application?

Generally, running a red light and subsequently paying a traffic penalty for less than $500 or some points on your driving record might not affect your citizenship application and you don’t need to submit documentation about the traffic incident.

However, If you ran a red light and it led to a penalty of $500 or more then you need to submit documentation and it could affect your citizenship application.

If you ran a red light and it led to a ticket that also involved drugs or alcohol or led to an arrest or it led to seriously injuring a person then you need to submit documentation related to the traffic incident when filing Form N-400. This can lead to citizenship application denial and also a ban on re-applying for citizenship for 5 years.

If you have any other traffic violations that are considered serious such as DUI (driving under influence of alcohol or drugs), leading to an arrest, or resulting in serious injury to another person then it can affect your citizenship application. It is recommended to connect with a lawyer before applying for citizenship to go over your options.