British Citizenship – Good Character Requirement FAQs

[skhoshroo]

I would worry about the FPN now, there is little that can be done. I'd expect success.

Many thanks Amber for your kind reply. Just to be sure, the above suggests my friend shouldn't worry? Also, would your experience suggest that a cover letter explaining the situation sent directly to the UKBA would further complicate and confuse the situation?

Thanks again!

[Amber]

Yes.

[I]

Hi Guys,

I would appreciate some help or information before I apply for Naturalisation. I have an ILR and I had a FPN for a broken tail light (last Aug). There was a fine which was paid. Quite recently, I broke a red light (not speeding, but mistake on my part in figuring out the right signal). The case has gone to court (I pleaded guilty by post), where I have been given 3 points and a fine.

Can I apply for naturalisation or do I have to wait for some more time?

Any help would be appreciated....

[Jde]

I have a CCJ that was issued to me in 09/2009 about a parking ticket and just detected that about 8 months ago when I wanted to send my application in. I was told by the council agent that I should try and get that paid or settled. Even though I was not the one driving the car at that time, I was the registered keeper of the car thus why my name was on the CCJ. I have called the court Northampton CCBC to enquire further and was told to contact the company that issued the PCN. I got in touch with the company and was told that the parking company does not exist anymore and they could only find the car registration number and nothing more so they are unable to take payments. It was £164 for the CCJ. Since the court and the defunct parking company are unable to take payments and I am in the middle of this mess, the Council agent called the home office and enquire more about and she asked me to send it and put note about it. I have also contacted the court again and was told to write to mcol@hmtcs.gsi.gov.uk to put the file before a district judge. Even though it will be 6 years next year to be written off, I am a little bit worried LOL. Does any one have any experience about this kind of issues or something close. Advice welcome.

[Psalm]

Hi Amber & Other senior members,

I need your advise on my situation. I am eligible for naturalization from 28/9/2014. In 2011 around September (Can't remember the date i was stopped at the train station for not having the right ticket(Out of oyster zone). I touched in at the start of my journey but unfortunately Oyster was not accepted at dartford station which was my destination(I didn't know as i was not familiar with route).

The TFL staff fined me 20 pounds which i paid instantly. Though he collected my details.

My questions are these:

1) What category of offense is this?
2) Do i have to declare this in my naturalisation application
3) Will this affect my naturalisation application.

Thank you

[Amber]

No.

[Psalm]

No.

Thank you very much for your prompt response. This got me worried. Its feels good to know i don't have to state it in my application

[newbie14]

Hi,
Do we have latest on this please as FPN and PCN is still very much ambiguous.

[Amber]

No.

[tinuola77]

hello everyone,

Am new to this site but i would like to share my experience if anyone can be a bit of help!

i apply for nationalization back in 2011 but i was refused because of my conviction as i was given a community service which fall on the ground of (non-custodian offence) and the letter send to me say i should re-apply by 28/July/2014 during that time it was 5 years "Rehabilitation act 1974" but law change in 2013. i manage to wait till 5 years for my conviction to become spent, now i have applied for nationalization again through NCS on the 07/08/2014, i received acknowledgement dated 15/08/2014.

Can anyone help me what will be the decision as i am really scare?

Any suggestion will be appreciated.

cheers.

[Amber]

You'll be fine.

[tinuola77]

Thank you Amber,

I forgot to mention above about my conviction, I got a job as a team leader in a residential home back in 2008, but on my application I used a colleague for reference with another name. When d case went to court, I was charge for "false representative" then back in 2011, I was refused for naturalisation state to me that I should re-apply again when my conviction become spent. Now is spent n have put in another application.

Am just a little bit worry! Not sure want will be d outcome.

I need advice pls, bcos the letter that HO send to me in 2011 state about 5 yrs rehabilitation period 1974 but law change, so i don't know who's category law I should follow. .....rehabilitation 1974 or d new law.

Advice me which one I mine belong to.
Thx

[Amber]

Assuming it was a non-custodial sentence, you should be fine. You must declare the conviction.

[AChaudhary]

Hi All,

I am planning to apply for naturalization but I have one offense and I am not sure that should i declare this or not .

I was using my wife monthly travel card on underground around more than 5 Years ago and and this happened only after 1 year arriving in the Uk. Case went to court and court fine me around 260 +court cost ets which ends up total 460 pound. I paid all the amount in six months time after the court decision.

I did not declare this offense in my ILR application as court clerk informed me its non recorded offense. its already more than 5 years old offense. Should I declare in my naturalization application or not ?

Please advise

[alinet_99]

Hello everyone,

I am about to make my British Citizenship application.I will be very grateful if someone will help me with clarification on information to declare.

In november 2006 I was given a notice of fine/collection order from the Magistrate’s court in regards to the following offence ”attempt to travel on railway without paying fare”, which I’ve paid promptly. I did not disclose about the incident when I’ve applied for ILR in 2013 and had no problem.

I also had a CCJ which was wrongly issued to be and I fought back and the court Granted me leave and set it aside.

Do I have to declare these two incidents to the HO for the purpose of Good Character requirements?

Appreciate your advice.

Thanks

[Amber]

The conviction must be declared.

[AChaudhary]

Hi Amber,

Thanks for your reply. I have already submit my application and did not declare this conviction as its more than 5 Years old and its non recorded and no police involved in this. I checked with the court and they informed me its not available in police records.

Council NCS officer also informed me that I don't need to worry about this as its more than 5 years old.

Do you think I should withdraw application or inform to the home office after acknowledgement ?

[Amber]

You face a refusal and ban for deception. That was very stupid if not negligent of the NCS to say that.

Write and inform the HO of the conviction ASAP, send via 1st class recorded delivery.

[AChaudhary]

Hi Amber,

Thanks for the reply.should I wait for the acknowledgement as I have not any reference number .

Please guide me if there is any other way to send the letter before the acknowledgement

thanks a lot.

[alinet_99]

Hi Amber,

Thank you for the quick response, do i have to also declare the CCJ even though it was issued in error and "Set Aside" by the court or should i just add that in the additional information section as it was issued in error ?

Thank you.

[AChaudhary]

Hi All,

I have spoken with NCS today again and they re-confirm if minor offense happened over a 5 years ago no need to worry. They repeated that they have spoken with the Case worker and they confirm if its due to mistake not declare it will not make any difference. They go only consider minor offense happened in last 3 years.

[Amber]

That is bad advice given by the NCS, all convictions whether spent or not must be declared, failure to do so can result in a refusal and 10 year ban for deception.

A CCJ that has been set aside means you do not have one, therefore, how can you declare something you do not have?

[alinet_99]

Thank you Amber for the prompt reply.

[olax985]

HI AMBER,

AM NEW ON THE FORUM BUT COULD DO WITH ADVICE ON WEATHER TO APPLY FOR MY BRITISH NATURALIZATION OR NOT. BASICALLY I HAVE BEEN IN UK SINCE 2001 AND GOT MY PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN 2005. HOWEVER, IN 2007 I WAS NAUGHTY WITH THE LAW (DRIVING OFFENCE-NO INSURANCE) AND MANAGE TO GET A FINE AND 6POINT. I HAVE A BRUSH WITH THE LAW IN 2010 AGAIN(GOT A 12MONTH CONDITIONAL DISCHARGED FOR 'THEFT'- WAS ACTUALLY THEFT BY FINDING BUT SAYS THEFT ON RECORDS) ALL THIS CONVICTION HAVE NOW BEEN SPENT AND I AM DUE TO APPLY NOW. HOWEVER I WAS READING THE GUIDANCE YESTERDAY AND IT CLEARLY STATES THAT ALL CONVICTION WILL HAVE TO BE DECLARED NOW AND PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS ('GOOD CHARACTER') CAN BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN APPLYING AND THERE IS A CHANCE OF IT BEEN DECLINED. MY WORRY NOW IS SHOULD I APPLY AND HAVE FAITH IT WILL BE ACCEPTED OR WAIT LONGER. I AM A BIT CONFUSED ON WHAT TO DO. ANY ADVICE IN THE HOUSE WILL BE APPRECIATED.

PS: I DID APPLY IN 2007 AND WAS DECLINED ON THE REASON OF 'GOOD CHARACTER'. THIS WAS DUE TO MY DRIVING CONDITION AT THE TIME.

[olax985]

HI AMBER,

AM NEW ON THE FORUM BUT COULD DO WITH ADVICE ON WEATHER TO APPLY FOR MY BRITISH NATURALIZATION OR NOT. BASICALLY I HAVE BEEN IN UK SINCE 2001 AND GOT MY PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN 2005. HOWEVER, IN 2007 I WAS NAUGHTY WITH THE LAW (DRIVING OFFENCE-NO INSURANCE) AND MANAGE TO GET A FINE AND 6POINT. I HAVE A BRUSH WITH THE LAW IN 2010 AGAIN(GOT A 12MONTH CONDITIONAL DISCHARGED FOR 'THEFT'- WAS ACTUALLY THEFT BY FINDING BUT SAYS THEFT ON RECORDS) ALL THIS CONVICTION HAVE NOW BEEN SPENT AND I AM DUE TO APPLY NOW. HOWEVER I WAS READING THE GUIDANCE YESTERDAY AND IT CLEARLY STATES THAT ALL CONVICTION WILL HAVE TO BE DECLARED NOW AND PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS ('GOOD CHARACTER') CAN BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN APPLYING AND THERE IS A CHANCE OF IT BEEN DECLINED. MY WORRY NOW IS SHOULD I APPLY AND HAVE FAITH IT WILL BE ACCEPTED OR WAIT LONGER. I AM A BIT CONFUSED ON WHAT TO DO. ANY ADVICE IN THE HOUSE WILL BE APPRECIATED.

PS: I DID APPLY IN 2007 AND WAS DECLINED ON THE REASON OF 'GOOD CHARACTER'. THIS WAS DUE TO MY DRIVING CONVICTION AT THE TIME.