I can’t quite remember when I found out I was eligible for Italian citizenship, but I do know I had been working on the process for many years before I contacted ICA. My cousin suggested I may be eligible as she had activated hers. It only took her a matter of months, as her side of the family had all of their documentation in hand, and I thought maybe my process would be similar, and so I tried to do it myself.
In my free time I sat down and mapped out my family tree and collected the paperwork that defined the lives of my ancestors. Birth, marriage, and death certificates were thrown into a pile on my desk as they arrived, along with whatever translations were required. There always seemed to be a handful of pieces missing, be it something from the US Government, documents from Italy, and appointments at the consulate. After many years of working on the process I started to lose faith that I would be able to complete it. A chance encounter changed everything.
I was having a drink with someone in San Francisco and they mentioned that they had recently become an Italian citizen. They mentioned that they hired ICA to handle the entire process, from carrying out the genealogy research to filing the paperwork, and already had their passport in hand. Intrigued, I decided to reach out to the firm to see if they could help.
Immediately after I received a response, I knew I had the right team on my side. Emilia, my primary case manager, understood that I had completed a significant amount of work and picked up right where I had left off. She quickly determined what additional documentation was necessary, what appointments needed to be made, and, in my situation, worked with the ICA team to file my case with the Italian Court.
As the date for my case approached, I was filled with some apprehension. Certainly, I was looking forward to the end of what had become a very long journey, but I was concerned that I wouldn’t receive a successful outcome and a multi-year effort would be a failure. Within a few days of my court date I received an email from Emilia saying that I was now an Italian citizen! The combination of relief and joy is difficult to describe, and I was almost too stunned to process it. The reactions of my family and friends to the news showed me how important this truly was, and how life changing receiving my Italian Citizenship would be.
For many years I had been spending time in Italy, and have been presented opportunities to work in the EU. I had built part of a life there, filled with friends and family, and was able to connect more deeply with my roots. With my citizenship in hand and the remaining paperwork nearly complete I started looking for a home not too far from my cousin, and I am excited for what is to come!
Simply put I would not have my citizenship if I did not contact ICA. I tried navigating the process on my own, and at one point with the help of a genealogist, but encountered roadblock after roadblock. I would, and have, recommended their services to everyone interested in gaining their Italian citizenship.
Written by Adam O.
