OP, mother is 100% correct with the advice.

Ask for it first to be removed and it most likely will be, on the spot, as our latest neutral would be,  we checked and it qualifies for various reasons, except in our case we much preffer to keep it - as a souvenir you might say.

If they refuse defamation form will do the trick.

They will tell you that you have max 60 days since f/back was left,

but with someone we know they removed the neg after almost 6 months - as she didn't know she can have it removed to ask earlier.

Good luck with it.

Cheers, January.