Sharon's Story: Applying for Portuguese Citizenship and the Portuguese Proficiency Exam, CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira

---

Today, we're going to talk to Sharon, who, a few years ago, embarked on a mission to reclaim her Portuguese roots. What began as a simple curiosity soon became a transformative journey, punctuated by the arduous task of passing the CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira), a mandatory exam for many applicants who seeking Portuguese citizenship. It evaluates whether the test-taker has a basic understanding of Portuguese, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

Q: Tell us a little bit about your background Sharon; and why you wanted to obtain Portuguese Citizenship. 

SHARON:  I'm 58 years old, and I was born in Boston. Growing up, I always felt a strong connection to my Portuguese roots through my grandmother's stories. My grandmother and grandfather were both born in Portugal (Madeira) and immigrated to US.  My grandmother's tales really resonated with me. It was more than just curiosity; I felt a deep longing to experience the country for myself and honor my family's heritage. But I was lost at first--I didn't even know where to start!

Q: Can you tell us about the process of applying for Portuguese citizenship?

SHARON: Focusing on citizenship by descent, I started doing research on the viability of doing so if my closest relatives who were Portuguese citizens were my grandparents. I found out it was possible, but I had to get a lot of documents together. The document-gathering process was quite extensive. My parents and grandparents have already passed away, so I asked my aunt for help. She was born in Portugal and still has cousins there that were willing to help me. Even so, I spent months gathering birth certificates and marriage records, understanding the legal requirements, and navigating the bureaucratic hurdles. It was daunting at times, but each document I found brought me closer to my goal and felt like another piece of my family's puzzle falling into place.

Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced?

SHARON: After trying to obtain all the documents, the language barrier was the biggest challenge. As a grandchild of a Portuguese Citizen, I needed to prove basic proficiency in the language. I only understood a few words, based on what little I learned from my grandparents when I was a child. I basically had to start from scratch. I enrolled in language classes and dedicated countless hours to studying. It was a steep learning curve, but I was determined to succeed.

Q: How did you prepare for the CIPLE exam, and what was the exam like?

SHARON: Preparing for the CIPLE was intense. The exam covers listening, speaking, reading, and writing, so I had to ensure I was well-rounded in all aspects. I threw myself into it! I practiced speaking with native Portuguese speakers, immersed myself in Portuguese media, went to Portuguese events and forced myself to absorb as much as I could.  There were moments of frustration, but also moments of triumph. It took me about a year to feel confident enough to take the test. When I took the test, it was about 10 minutes of speaking, then I had to do the vocabulary and a written portion and then listening. The vocabulary and listening is multiple choice. I was sweating bullets the whole time!

Q: How did you feel when you received your results?

SHARON: When I saw that I had passed, I was overjoyed. It wasn't just about passing a language exam; it was about proving to myself and honoring my grandparent’s legacy. It felt like a huge accomplishment and a significant step in reconnecting with my roots. 

Q: What advice would you give to others seeking Portuguese citizenship?

SHARON: My advice would be to stay determined and embrace the journey. In the end, it took me over three years, from start to finish. There will be challenges, but each step brings you closer to your goal. Immerse yourself in the language and culture, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. It's a rewarding experience that goes beyond obtaining a citizenship—it’s about embracing a part of yourself.

Q: What did you do next, to get your Portuguese passport?

SHARON: After I was notified that my Portuguese birth certificate was ready, I went to the nearest Portuguese consulate to request my Cartão Cidadão,(Citizenship card) and Portuguese passport. That took about 2 months back and forth because I couldn't do both at the same time. 

Q: How do you feel now that you’ve achieved your goal?

SHARON: I feel incredibly fulfilled and connected to my heritage. I went to Portugal for the first time this summer and met several cousins that I had never met before. It was wonderful to be able to communicate with them. I don’t feel like a visitor—I feel like I’ve come home. This journey has been transformative and deeply meaningful.

Sharon’s journey to Portuguese citizenship is a testament to her determination and love for her heritage. Her story is an inspiring reminder that reconnecting with our roots can be a challenging, but profoundly rewarding experience. 

​