Page 1 of 1

Non paid bus ticket and naturalisation

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2023 11:22 pm
by marta21
Dear experts, I’ve a silent reader of this forum for weeks. Many thanks first of all for your help throughout my naturalisation application (EU national, settle status since 2019).
Although it was not a really complex one, I have used this site many times to get my doubts sorted.
However, after submitting my naturalisation application (waiting for biometrics appointment) something came to my mind that I did not even remember until just recently. I am not sure if it will affect the outcome and decided to try here to see if someone has an answer.
Long ago I was stopped on a London bus with an out of date weekly travel card (those old days with paper travel cards).
I gave my details (a fine was not issued right on the spot) but soon after moved home and never got to see if I was sent a letter to pay a fine. If that was the case, obviously that fine was never paid. I think it was 2003 (I was so young and irresponsibly stupid then). I had no more issues like this afterwards apart from a speeding fine paid and disclosed in my application.
Could this affect the outcome of my naturalisation? Should I still tell about this in my application? Being so long ago, am I overthinking the issue?
Many many thanks in advance.

Re: Non paid bus ticket and naturalisation

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 6:18 am
by alterhase58
If it was long ago, you can’t remember receiving a letter or a fine, you’re probably overthinking this.

Re: Non paid bus ticket and naturalisation

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 9:58 am
by talreh20
I was once stopped on the London underground in 2013. I didn't tap in the Oyster card at one station as there were no barriers. The inspectors issued a fine of around £50. I paid that asap. I wasn't prosecuted as the person confirmed that he was not prosecuting and only issuing the fine. Since then I successfully got a Tier 2 Visa (2015), ILR (2019), Naturalisation (2023), and finally British passport (2023). I completely forgot about that incident and never declared that in any of the applications. Hope you should be ok.

Re: Non paid bus ticket and naturalisation

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 10:37 am
by marta21
Many thanks both of you for your quick reply. Glad to hear, actually. I thought the fact of never paying the fine (if there was any, I assume there was) could affect my good character assessment, even though it was 20 years ago.
Shame on me actually... those silly days...

and talreh20... congrats really for the process that ended recently with your British passport.
Again thanks to both of you.