Jane’s Story: What She Reports Happened
Jane is a pseudonym. This page summarizes one customer’s experience in a calm, evidence-forward format.
Updated: February 9, 2026
My story
I entered an “Executive Package” contract with Italian Citizenship Assistance (ICA) for $17,290 which promised “start to finish” assistance in obtaining dual citizenship for myself, my brother and my two children. I made a down payment of $9,000 to ICA, and they promised to obtain all the necessary documents, translate them into Italian, prepare all government documents and arrange all appointments with the Italian consulates in the USA and/or government of Italy. ICA did almost none of what they promised. There were long delays in what little work they did do, and that usually only happened when I pushed them. I was shuffled between an unending cast of account manager hand-offs and had to handle the more difficult document procurement myself when ICA gave up after a single attempt. After almost two years, it all came crashing down when Italy changed its citizenship laws. Even then, ICA came asking for more money for the vague promise of a futile lawsuit in Italy. When I declined to pay more money, ICA insisted I sign a nondisclosure agreement as part of retrieving the documents I’d already paid for. They continue to refuse to refund any money or return my family documents.
We cannot tell you what to do, but I can share my experience, what about ICA can and cannot be verified, and what questions any customer should ask before entering a contract, sending money or mailing original documents.
What was promised (as Jane understood it)
• Telephone consultations (no time limit);
• Set-up and management of the applicant’s appointment with the Italian Consulate;
• Retrieval of all the records (in Italy, U.S. ,UK and- with some limitations- anywhere in the world) needed to apply for Italian citizenship;
• Handling of the legalization process of any US records (Apostille, Correction, Emendavit etc.);
• Professional English to Italian translations of all the records and forms as required by the law;
• Preparation of all the forms needed to be filed by each applicant together with his/her records;
• Handling (beginning to end) of the process of preparation the applicant’s file which will be handled directly and exclusively by an Italian expert in dual citizenship;
• Passport request;
• Registration with AIRE.
• If the citizenship kit is deemed incomplete by the consulate or a first and/or second attempt through the consulate fails, ICA will identify missing materials or details, rectify errors if necessary, or prepare additional documents on behalf of the applicants free of charge. This “integration phase” is typically included in the standard service fee. Out-of-pocket expenses will still be the responsibility of the applicant.
What Jane reports actually occurred
ICA obtained U.S. based birth, marriage and death documentation where it was easy to get. My guess is they used VitalChek.com.
When they were unable to obtain records from New Jersey because of a change in surname by my grandfather (like no Italian coming through Ellis Island ever did that before!), ICA stopped trying to obtain the documents. I had to engage outside legal assistance (at my own expense) to eventually obtain the documents.
Extended delays, long periods of “radio silence”.
No measurable milestones or timelines, and progress seemed only to occur when I pestered them. Even now, I still can’t be sure of what, if anything they did, because they refuse to send me my records.
Multiple account manager handoffs (at least four).
Encouragement to press forward after Italy changed its dual citizenship laws (despite ICA already closing down its few licensed business entities).
A demand for more money, a nondisclosure agreement and postage fees in return for being sent my documents from ICA.
Of the 10 things promised, ICA partially performed 1 - they claim they assembled some of the necessary documents.
What Jane reports actually occurred
November 2023
Jane engages the service and pays $9,000 on Dec 7 2023
December 2023
Jane reaches out to ICA since still no contact from them for the start of my executed contract - requests a schedule/timeline from ICA.
March 2024
Jane provided birth & marriage certs she acquired for both her parents.
April 2024
Jane writes to Maryland vital records per ICA guidance to request long form birth certs for her two children.
April 2024
Jane becomes the effective go-between for ICA & State of NJ in securing her father’s birth cert from New Jersey. During this month, Jane repeatedly tried to contact her account manager at ICA. First, she was told the manager was working in Italy and could not be reached. Then later, Jane was told the manager was in Italy for the Easter Holiday. Finally, in early May, Jane was told the account manager had resigned and new one would have to be assigned to Jane's account.
July 2024
Jane brings new account manager up to speed on the cert already in hand and asks for an accounting of what is still outstanding.
August 2024
Jane is informed some of the birth certs need to be in long form (as if this wasn’t known earlier?) Jane asks for a comprehensive list from ICA as to what is needed and what is already obtained.
August-September 2024
Because ICA simply stopped working on the issue, Jane had to engage outside legal assistance in tracking down her grandfather’s name change in New Jersey. Without this document, Jane was foreclosed from obtaining any vital records concerning my grandfather’s and grandmother’s marriage and most importantly - my father’s birth.
September-October 2024
Jane acquires the proper name change for her grandfather & father and sends to ICA Texas address, which turns out to be a UPS Store.
Feb 6 2025
Jane reaches out several times via email and phone and is met with no response
March 17 2025
Jane receives email from ICA Acct manger; to confirm that you will still apply at the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles.
March 19 2025
ICA ordered two certified copies of Janes grandmother's death certificate (Why did this take 1.5 yrs to do??) Throughout the rest of March into April 2025 ICA goes radio silent.
Italy changes citizenship-by-descent rules (impact disputed and case-specific)
April 9 2025
Jane requests return of family documents
May 4 2025
Jane reports ICA requested an extra payment (outside of the original agreement) and requires Jane to sign an NDA which is tied to document return.
Document custody and return
Why documents matter
Citizenship-by-descent applicants often handle original, certified records. Losing track of originals can mean months of delays and significant costs.
What Jane reports about document return
Jane reports she requested the return of family documents she paid to obtain. She reports the company refused to send documents unless she paid additional money and signed a nondisclosure agreement.
In August 2025, Jane sent formal demand letters to multiple addresses associated with Italian Citizenship Assistance requesting the return of her family documents and a $5,000 partial refund from the $9,000 deposit she had paid in 2023. The letters state that only limited document retrieval work had been completed over nearly two years, that outside counsel had been needed to obtain some records, and that the process ultimately collapsed after Italy changed its citizenship rules in March 2025. The letters ask for the return of documents and a refund in exchange for ending the dispute.
After nearly two years of delays, Jane sent this letter to Marco Permunian requesting the return of her documents and a $5,000 refund. The letter outlines the services ICA promised, what work had actually been completed, and proposes a final resolution.
These letters was sent to multiple addresses associated with ICA to ensure delivery.
This letter was sent to Jane from ICA as a reply to her correspondence.
Return of Jane's documents
A refund or partial refund where appropriate
Prevention of similar outcomes for others
Encouraging stronger consumer safeguards in this industry
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