recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Over 25 million Italians have emigrated between 1861 and 1960 with a migration boom between 1871 and 1915 when over 13,5 million emigrants left the country for European and overseas destinations.
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belmoro19
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recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by belmoro19 »

First I would like to say thank you to all of you that have help me on my quest. Even at times when I asked a ridiculous question.
My apointment at the Philadelphia Consulate was yesterday. After years of searching and almost throwing in the towel, it all came to a terrific outcome.
I arrived at the consulate at 8:30am in the middle of a very icy morning. I was told that I had to wait until 8:45 before I could go up upstairs to the 10th floor where the consulate is located. When I got upstairs I realized I was the only one there. I got nervous that the consulate was closed but then I saw a worker and knew they were open. At 9:00 I was welcomed in and right behind me came another couple for their appointment. It was just us. We were told that Lia- who handles citizenship was running late due to the weather.
At 9:45 Lia arrived. She is a very sweet woman. She greeted very kindly and took me into the large meeting room where we began the interview. She first took my passport and I.D and went to make copies. While she did that she had me begin filling out AIRE form. She returned and we got down to business. She gave me a file # and started making folders for each descendant in line. I wasnt told to fill out declaration of living or dead descendant. Dont know why but she never brought that up.

First my greatfather- handed her each document. There were a Few discrepancies on marriage certifcates but not in direct line so she dismissed them. I handed her an affadavit with the list of discrepancies on it and she was pleased with that. He also was not naturalized so i gave the non existence letter to her and the certified copy of 1910 census. She said she was pleased with that also.
Grandfather- Here was where I got nervous. I gave her his birth certificate with discrepancies in his mother's name and his. His name ws Antonio and on document was Andonio. She thought that was funny and dismissed it. I also gave her his baptismal certificate(all correct spellings on it) which she took and added to his folder. She told me very good. I was also missing his marriage record but I gave her a certified copy of his 1950 census record showing him and my grandmother as husband and wife and with my mother listed. She said it was acceptable. Thank god for that because I thought that would be the deal breaker. She also took all the NO RECORD letters I had stating that the certificate could not be found.
Mother- born in 1949 which was a blessing. Everything was great with her documents.
Me- I am not married and no children so mine was pretty easy so I thought. Gave her my birth certificate and she noticed that there was no space in my last name but on my U.S. passport there was. She gave the option of fixing my U.S. passport or fixing my birth certificate. Apparently with a space or no space it can be two different last names. I chose to fix my birth certificate since it wouldn't take as long. She agreed. She told me once I send in corrected birth certifcate she would then go ahead and register my documents with the comune of my great grandfather. I was ecstatic. I confirmed to her what I just heard and she said yes, everything is order you will receive your certificate of I talian citizenship and then you can come to obtain your passport. I almost wanted to give ger a hug but shook her hand instead.
So as far as I am concerned it was a success and couldn't be happier. All the blood sweat and tears was well worth it. Now just to correct the birth certifcate(which I mailed out yesterday to be corrected and all is good. Lia also told me it would take 4-6 months to get everything registered (once i send back the certificate)and to receive my certificate. She was very pleased with the amount of work I put into this and told me she was very happy about that. My OCD does come in handy sometimes lol.
Don't give up hope out there. It is possible to get want you want. I truly belive that. Good luck to everyone and keep the faith. I hope this can help someone and give you some piece of mind.
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JavaisLife
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by JavaisLife »

Good luck w/ such a successful appointment. .... I love NYC, seriously I do --- but for this one time in my life, I wish I was living elsewhere ;)

- Marie
jennabet
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by jennabet »

Congratulations. Philly Consulate does good work.
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by JPMessina44 »

congrats belmoro, great news.....I'm in a similiar boat myself....I had a one day off on my great grandfathers birthdate between his italian birth record and death from NYC......

NYC will fix this for me in one week, and I, too, will get recognized cause everything else is in order.

Its a great feeling with all the money and hard work, to be rewarded with a positive outcome...awesome job and soon youj will be entering Italy as an Italian citizen, with your passport! Congrats
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jmirra3
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by jmirra3 »

I apologize in advance for my ignorance, but what is the benefit of having dual citizenship?
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mler
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by mler »

It depends on your situation.

Some obtain dual citizenship for the intangibles--a connection and affirmation of one's heritage.

On a more practical level, Italian citizenship provides you with the ability to live and work anywhere in the EU for extended stays without the necessity of obtaining visas. It simplifies the process of attending school in Europe.

On the downside, Italian citizenship may limit your ability to obtain a job that requires a high level security clearance in the U.S.
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Post by jennabet »

Another plus is that if you have an Italian passport and are repatriating to Italy, you can ship your goods and not have to pay any duties to collect them on the other end.

Also, while all non-citizens wait in a longer line at the airport, you go right through the line for Italian citizens.

And while foreigners in Italy must make at least a yearly trip to the Questura (Police Station), you never have to go there except to renew your passport -- but that's only once every ten years.

Being on the National Health Insurance roles is another plus. They practice good medicine in Italy. And there is no paperwork for you. Once you get your card (Tessera Sanateria), you never have to worry about deductibles, co-pays, etc., or receiving an unexpected radiologists bill in the mail. In fact, you don't ever get anything in the mail relating to health matters. La dolce vita.
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musaccosteve
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by musaccosteve »

I didn't realize that the National Health Insurance in Italy was all "free." Is this true? I am retired and I am fortunate to have very good insurance in the U.S., but I do have deductibles and copays.
jennabet wrote:
Being on the National Health Insurance roles is another plus. They practice good medicine in Italy. And there is no paperwork for you. Once you get your card (Tessera Sanateria), you never have to worry about deductibles, co-pays, etc., or receiving an unexpected radiologists bill in the mail. In fact, you don't ever get anything in the mail relating to health matters. La dolce vita.
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by jennabet »

You don't pay anything to your primary physician -- EVER. You may be required to make a one-time payment of 20 Euros the first time you see a specialist but after that, every time you see that specialist, it's free. If you see a different specialist, the one-time 20 Euros applies and then all subsequent visits free. Lab tests are free. Emergency room free. You may pay a small percentage for for some medicines, depending on what it is, but most prescriptions from the pharmacy cost One Euro (it's not a typo). Bottom line, you will never receive a bill. They don't do billing. If any payment is required, you pay cash at the time of the service.
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musaccosteve
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by musaccosteve »

Wow!! That is amazing. Is this typical in Europe?
jennabet wrote:You don't pay anything to your primary physician -- EVER. You may be required to make a one-time payment of 20 Euros the first time you see a specialist but after that, every time you see that specialist, it's free. If you see a different specialist, the one-time 20 Euros applies and then all subsequent visits free. Lab tests are free. Emergency room free. You may pay a small percentage for for some medicines, depending on what it is, but most prescriptions from the pharmacy cost One Euro (it's not a typo). Bottom line, you will never receive a bill. They don't do billing. If any payment is required, you pay cash at the time of the service.
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by jennabet »

I don't know about other countries in the European Union but this is how it works in Italy. I lived there ten years as a citizen and was fully covered.
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musaccosteve
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by musaccosteve »

Thank you for sharing this information.
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by jennabet »

Prego.
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musaccosteve
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Post by musaccosteve »

Hi Jennabet,

Since you spent 10 years in Italy, I have a few more questions about health care there.

How does it compare with the quality of U.S. care, if you are fortunate enough to have good insurance in U.S.?

How long was your wait when you called for a medical appointment with a family practitioner? For a specialist? For Emergency room?

What region did you get your medical service? Is there a lot of variance between regions with regard to medical care .. quality and timeliness?

Thank you,
Steve
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Re: recap of philly appintment yesterday- long post sorry

Post by jennabet »

Steve, I sent you a PM.
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