Success in Miami

[jcat]

While it has been almost one year since I've posted here,I just wanted to chime in and let everyone know that my quest for dual citizenship has been obtained! I just recieved my Citizenship papers from the Italian Consulate in Miami yesterday.....all in all it was a great experience and from beginning to end took about one year and five months.
what really comes to mind the most at this point is the excitement that I felt when I found out that my grandfather did not become a naturalized citizen of the USA until after my father was born,which paved the way for me and made me determined to follow through and apply. my Dad passed away last July and was never able to see me get my citizenship, but he was able to be there with me while I was running like a chicken with its head cut off obtaining documents,both here and in Italy,Apostilles,translations, name discrepancies, etc. and the process brought us even closer together as I would listen to all of his remembrances about our family here and in Calabria, and of his days during WWll when he was in the Army, stationed in Italy absorbing the archives of my family's Italian history! Priceless! .....All I can say is that if anyone is in the process,and believe me, I know the hectic frustrations that one will go through just trying to find out if they even qualify, don't fret over the little things.....take the opportunity and savor the learning experience that goes along with the process,you will get closer to your family and your Italian roots!
I also would like to thank everyone here at Italiangenealogy for the help and support during the moments that I was unsure of what to do next.. you folks are the aces, and for anyone in the process or just wanting to find out if you qualify, I wish you the best of luck and most importantly, don't let the process get the best of you....stay focused on your family and Italian Heritage....
Buona fortuna!!

[johnnyonthespot]

Wow! Congratulations, jcat! I am so sorry that your father is not able to share in your celebration.

[jcat]

Thanks johnnyonthespot! And thanks also for the condolences....I'm certain that he's up there somewhere looking down and smiling!

[Drew927]

Bravo, Bravo!! Congratulations on your success. I too am finding the whole experience quite rewarding. I am glad to hear that the effort was something you were able to share with your Dad. Priceless!!

[petey]

Congratulations
I too am in the process of registering in the A.I.R.E as I am an Italian Citizen from birth acquired from my Father prior to his naturalization.
My Dad just passed Feb 27th at the age of 98.
I was going to surprise him with my Italian citizenship for his 100th.

[jcat]

Just an update and a heads up regarding applying for your passport once you have your citizenship papers...as of April 5th all applicants will need to go into the consulate to be fingerprinted before getting your passport.....before this date a mail in application was all that was needed....It's always a nice ride from Central florida to Miami and to get my Passport, it will be a much more relaxing trip than when going to apply for citizenship....lol!

[KrazyZia]

Thanks for the words of encouragement... I'm on year 4! It has been a wonderfule experience so far and I feel that I'm on home stretch, maybe by the end of the year??!!! Here's hoping.