Hi Bendrr: Good questions, and I will try to give a good response. While I have not served as an Elder in years, I believe that the procedure is still about the same, with some minor adjustments.
You asked, "My question is regarding one's file with the cong after dissfellowshipping. What is done with it?"
When you are DF'd, your file is sealed with the names of the Judicial Committee members on the outside of the envelop (normally a dark manila envelop) so it cannot be read from the outside. The DF'd card is sent to the Society. When it comes back stamped by the Society, it is stapled to the outside of the Envelop with your name, the date of DF, and a brief statement as to the offense on the card. [This part of the procedure with the offense noted, may no longer appearif they have changed the policy.]
You asked, "Is more information gathered after the df and added to the file?"
Normally, No. But, if you applied for reinstatement, then your letter requesting to meet with the Elders is placed in the file. If you meet with the Elders on your request for reinstatement, and they have additional 'concern', such as additinal information, additional charges, they may ask about these. If true, they might be added to your file. For example, if a person is DF'd for adultery, and while out of the congregation they continue to fornicate, take up smoking, abuse alcohol, or engage in some other DFing offense, then the Elders will likely deal with this upon request for reinstatement.
You continued, "Most important, how can I get my hands on my file?"
You can't, unless one of three things happen:
1. You become reinstated, get appointed an Elder, serve as Secretary and have access to the files. In that case, you could get to your own file. When I became Secretary, I found an old file on me dating back over 10 years. [Elders are supposed to destroy files after 5 years or less of state law requires such, unless there is ongoing action. But many Elders forget this rule and files can hang around for 10, 15, 20 or more years.]
2. You have a criminal or civil suit against the WTS, the Congregation and/or its Elders, and your attorney is successful in getting the Judge to order a subpeona of the files, and the COngregation is honorable enough to surrender the files rather than obstruct justice by hiding or destroying them.
3. The least desirable way is to break into the Kingdom Hall, force open the file cabinet and take your file. This of course is illegal and you run the risk of getting caught and sent to jail.
There are no other ways that I know of unless by some chance you know an Elder who serves as Secretary and you have his sympathies, and he gives you the file.
I know a JW brother who was helping to take care of the Congregation Secretary while he was ill. The Secretary was keeping the files at home against Society instructions. While the Sec was sleeping, the brother reviewed every file. And, I believe him because he was able to tell me about details of files that I was familiar with.
You continued, "Ok, I know this probably sounds petty and insecure to want a few pieces of paper that aren't worth anything. But I would really just LOVE to see the sordid tale that is my life [as told by the theocratic police] after getting fired from the wtbs."
You are not being petty. In normal non-JW society, people have fought for the right to Freedom of Information with respect to Government files, and having access to what the FBI has on them in a file. People fought for consumer rights to have access to their Credit files used by lenders and maintained by credit reporting agencies. You goal is normal and very appropriate.
And, I wish I had saved copies of all the files I had in my possession at one time. It would be most interesting to show some documents to the authorities, especially in cases of child molesting, but for those things not of a criminal nature, it would be most useful to have them too.
Amazing