Traveling is known to broaden one’s mind and to open up opportunities to discover unique locations and learn about diverse cultures. Some people may choose to travel to foreign countries to immerse themselves in beautiful natural landscapes, visit historical sites, try the local cuisine and experience new cultures and ways of life. Other people may decide to travel to countries with which they have a special connection that goes back many generations and that ultimately draws them to explore and rediscover their roots. This is the case for Girolamo Ingrande, for example, who visited Italy with his three children Pietro, Domenico and Giovanni a few years ago.
Their trip to Italy was an opportunity to reconnect with their Italian heritage and to learn about Italian culture; however, it was also a transformative experience that inspired Girolamo to apply for Italian citizenship by descent.
“My journey towards Italian citizenship really began in the summer of 2017. I took a family vacation to Italy for the very first time and absolutely loved it. Although I grew up in a large Italian family, I had never been to Italy until that time. It was at that moment, when I decided to pursue citizenship for myself along with my three sons.”
Once Girolamo decided he wanted to file an application for the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent, he started wondering about the process to apply. During the initial research he conducted, he came across Italian Citizenship Assistance (ICA), which offered him a preliminary consultation and a free assessment of his case. ICA determined that Girolamo and his sons were eligible to apply and their case was assigned to a citizenship specialist who guided Girolamo and his family through their journey towards Italian citizenship. As Girolamo’s father was born in Italy, Girolamo was able to apply as a first-generation case via the Office of Vital Statistics at the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles. Girolamo’s father became naturalized in 1981, thus before the Italian government allowed for dual citizenship, nevertheless, as the father was still an Italian citizen when his son was born, ICA helped him to collect all the necessary documents to prove to the consulate that he was eligible to apply for Italian citizenship by descent. In particular, ICA retrieved the father’s birth certificate, his marriage records and the naturalization records that proved that he acquired US citizenship after Girolamo’s birth. ICA also took care of booking an appointment for Girolamo, which he attended in person in 2019. Finally, ICA helped Girolamo register his three son’s birth certificates in order for them to be recognized as Italian citizens.
“The experience was long as it took over a year to obtain citizenship; a lot of paperwork and official documents were needed, but it was absolutely worth the wait! The good people at ICA were with me along the way. My main representative was Alice Scaroni and she was extremely helpful, responsive and professional throughout the entire experience. I could not have done this without her assistance. What made the experience extra special was that we received our citizenship during lockdown in 2020 so it was nice to have a positive event in our lives when going through the early stages of the pandemic. The experience of working with ICA, and particularly with Alice Scaroni, was tremendous. Although I conducted research on the necessary information needed for citizenship, I could not have successfully translated and obtained all the required documents without ICA’s help. They also worked on scheduling my appointments at the Italian consulate so that I was adequately prepared. If you are planning on obtaining your Italian citizenship in the near future, I would highly recommend contacting ICA. You will not regret it.”
Girolamo is one of the many U.S. citizens with Italian heritage who have decided to apply for Italian citizenship in recent years. There are many benefits to obtaining Italian citizenship; some would say that among them is the Bel Paese’s delicious and healthy Mediterranean cuisine, its favorable climate and relaxed lifestyle, and also the ability to work, study and reside in any of the EU’s member states.
“The main reason for obtaining citizenship was to pass it on to my sons and open up additional opportunities for them as citizens of Italy and the United States. However, my wife and I do plan on investing in a second home and potentially retiring to Italy.”
Today, Girolamo and his family are officially Italian citizens and they are enjoying their lives as dual citizens. If you would like to learn more about Italian citizenship and the application process, please contact us at [email protected]. Feel free to check out our website and podcast to learn more about Italian citizenship by descent.
Girolamo Ingrande has agreed to serve as a subject of this success story and has granted ICA the right to use his name and image.
