Sono italiana!!
For those who aren’t familiar with my journey to dual citizenship you can check out these blog entries here, here, and here, to get caught up.
Okay, now that you are all caught up I can announce the good news…
I am officially an Italian citizen!!!
That’s right, after a year of filling out forms, waiting for documents, filling out more forms and even more waiting, I can say most proudly and happily that the wait is finally over…my citizenship has been processed and I now have my Italian citizenship.
I had called the consulate a week ago to check on the status of my citizenship and was told that they couldn’t give me that information over the phone and I had to go in person to find out. They suggested that if I wanted to get my Italian passport (which I did) that I could do that when I came in. So this past Friday I got up early and made my way downtown to the Italian consulate.
Words will never do justice to the feelings I felt when the woman behind the counter said, “You are Italian”. At that moment, all the repetitive annoying forms and all the waiting just didn’t seem to matter anymore. I finally had it; it was all worth it!
I thanked her many times over as though she was the one responsible for making it all happen. I know so many people have had nightmares dealing with their respective consulates but for me, it has been the most amazing experience. I know I can thank my dad for making this so smooth for me, I really do believe he has helped me on this journey. The woman behind the counter was extremely helpful after I told her that my intention for all of this was to eventually move to Italy.
She handed me a blank piece of paper and a pencil and began listing off things to look into and places to contact for more information. I scribbled down as quickly as I could, trying to process everything. As the end of the page drew near she told me to begin with these things before anything else, or it will all become too overwhelming. I had to pinch myself.I’ve heard stories of people pulling teeth to get information. And here this woman was sitting across from me filling me with knowledge and advice. Was this really happening? I have been so extremely blessed with all of this and I don’t for a second take it for granted.
So, what’s next?
Well, I have applied for my passport and will be making the trek back into the city to pick it up in a couple weeks. I have also applied for my codice fiscale, which takes a bit longer to get. So, now I have to continue chipping away at and putting into motion the master plan to make the move to Italy. It’s incredibly exciting and equally scary but with a will and a dream, I hope to make it happen!
I guess it’s time to hit the books even more and work on my Italian language skills!
Are you getting your dual citizenship? What’s your story?
If you want to find out what I’m up to here in Calabria, you can keep up with my daily life and musings over on the Calabrisella Mia Facebook Page and Instagram!
Comments are closed.
susan
April 9, 2009 at 2:00 pmAuguri!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you!
I keep telling myself Im going to apply for my Italian passport….I really better get to it!
You inspire me!
Abbracci!
farfalle1
March 30, 2009 at 12:45 amComplimenti and auguri! You’ve worked so hard on this I’m sure your job search will be equally successful. My husband is in year 4 of his citizenship journey – and we live there. But the light is visible at the end of the tunnel – we think – if we are in the right tunnel. Good for you! Brava.
Chuck Aflitto
March 27, 2009 at 1:28 pmCongratulations!! I bet that feeling was like no other, hear them words!! Enjoy
milanesemasala
March 26, 2009 at 8:43 amWelcome to the club!! It must be a relief. I got my citizenship through marriage so it took me a lot longer, over three years. It was such a pain getting all the paperwork done, the fingerprints, the rubber stamps, going to the Italian consulate in Toronto (who were rather rude to me).
Anyway, to make a long story short, I finally got my citizenship while pregnant with my second child and proudly went to the town hall with my “pancione” to swear my allegiance to the Republic. It was thrilling! Now I can vote and even become Prime Minister one day ; )
HUGE relief!! It’s still a bit hard to believe sometimes. Your process seems ALOT more thorough than mine was. Although, the first day I went in they told me you are Italian already you just need to recognize it now. If you run for Prime Minister I’ll totally vote for you…because now I can!! 😛
Lenora
March 25, 2009 at 11:40 pmI’ve been gathering documents for 3 years, but now both kids and I finally have the appointment to apply for dual citizenship. I think it was harder because my grandfather never became a US Citizen, so it took longer to prove that. Doesn’t seem like there are many jobs in Italy though. Do you know best places to find out about jobs? My son may be interested in the near future.
Hi, Lenora! I have heard so many stories and each one is so very different although the goal is always the same. I was lucky in my situation and it made it very easy for me. My brother and sister (both younger than me) would have a more difficult time because my father was a Canadian citizen when they were both born.
Much like most parts of the world right now the job market is very tight. It is even tighter in areas of Italy as well. However, depending on your skills, and if you are fluent in both languages it could help. Obviously having the citizenship will help as well since then companies don’t have to worry about work visas, etc. I’m personally going to go to Italy with the intent of teaching English. At this point in time, it is the best option for me as my Italian language skills are not up to par. You can tell your son to check out http://www.monster.it it covers many different jobs across Italy. I’m certainly no expert in this field as I haven’t moved and actually started applying for jobs or actively searching just yet, but if there’s a will there is most certainly a way! 🙂
Grace
March 25, 2009 at 5:05 pmCongratulations! My family is currently working on this (2 years and still going). We have an appointment at the consulate in Chicago in June. There is so much red tape, but it is fantastic to hear that it happens for people (with patience). Congratulations, looking forward to reading more beautiful Italian stories and adventures. A presto!
Thanks, Grace. I hope you get good news at your appointment with the consulate! I think patience is the key (and also the hardest part for me)! All the best, let me know how it goes.
Leanne in Italy
March 24, 2009 at 8:11 amYAY! Don’t worry about getting the codice fiscale in Canada…really it is SO easy to get over here. You just go into some office in Rogliano, fill in some form, they give you number on a piece of paper there and then…and then in a few months the card gets sent in the post. But all you need is the number so the card is not important. If it becomes too much of a hassel, seriously do it when you are over here.
Ci vediamo presto – spero xxxx
Yay!!!! I am not too concerned about the codice fiscale. I’ve put in the application for it and will have it in a couple months…I’m not planning to be in Italy before July/August so I’m not worried about it. At least I know it’s simple enough to get in Italy! I can’t wait till everything is more official and I know exactly when, where and how I’m getting to Italy….I can’t wait to meet you for reals!!
Carla
March 24, 2009 at 7:05 amCongratulations! That’s awesome! What great news! 🙂
Thanks bella! I can’t believe it sometimes….I remember our chats about it and it seems so surreal that it’s actually done!!
Anait
March 23, 2009 at 2:57 pmcongratulazioni!!!!!!!!! good for you, all that hard work paying off 🙂
I’m working on getting Armenian dual citizenship, so I understand the struggle!
It can be frustrating at time but you just have to keep your eyes on the prize. The waiting was the worst for me…I’m such an impatient person! 😛
Laura at Ciao Amalfi
March 23, 2009 at 2:19 pmCongratulations!! Auguri!!! I am so happy for you! It is so encouraging to hear your story and to hear about your good experiences with the consulates. I am an American living in Italy, but am currently struggling to figure out how to stay here for longer terms. I know I have an adventure ahead of me, but I look forward to the day when I can know firsthand how you feel now! I hope you celebrated with a nice spumante! 🙂
Grazie mille!! I can’t even imagine how much more complex it must be for you…I hope you are able to get a hold of the papers you need to stay longer!! Oh, and I definitely celebrated!! 😉
charlie
March 23, 2009 at 1:50 pmCongratulations (if thats the right thing to say!) I guess I am lucky that I dont have to do anything like that. I would hate not to be English!
I’m just so thankful that I was able to get the dual citizenship….I was very lucky!
Bitter Chocolate
March 23, 2009 at 12:48 pmCongrats! I’m so happy for you! Hope things will continue going as smoothly, I can’t wait to read about the next steps you take on your journey 🙂
Thanks! It’s all so exciting and new and scary and a whole bunch of other emotions. I’m keeping my *fingers crossed* that the momentum continues in the direction of Italy. 🙂
Liz
March 23, 2009 at 11:18 amYay! Congrats to you! I can’t imagine the feeling. If I remember correctly, I told you about my dual citizenship story. I’ve been seriously reconsidering it, but haven’t made up my mind yet…. So I’m assuming by this time next year, you’ll be blogging from teh Bel Paese, perhaps with stories of a Bel Ragazzo 🙂
Thanks! Yes, I remember your dual citizenship story…you should think about it. I know it can be annoying and aggravating at times but at the end of it all it really feels great! Here’s hoping I’ll be blogging from the bel paese very soon!! 😉
Tina
March 23, 2009 at 10:09 amMy gosh! Congratulations! 🙂
And only a year, too! I’m really glad for you.
Thanks bella! 🙂 It seemed like forever but compared to others, a year isn’t really that long. I have been blessed no doubt!!
Michelle | Bleeding Espresso
March 23, 2009 at 10:04 amAUGURI!!!!!!! I remember the feeling well. It really is indescribable 🙂
Grazie!! I wanted to jump around screaming but couldn’t move at the same time…it was surreal! 🙂