The United States Sending State Office (USSSO) for Italy is the US Department of Defense (DoD) diplomatic-legal office responsible for supervising the administration of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in Italy.  While the USSSO performs as the legal advisor to the U.S. Defense Attachè, the Office of Defense Cooperation, and the US Embassy Country Team, the Office is primarily the legal representative in Italy for the U.S. European Command (EUCOM). The USSSO also coordinates and advocates U.S. Forces’ positions on numerous SOFA and non-SOFA issues to the Italian Government and its military, the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, and the Ambassador’s Country Team.

The USSSO was originally established by the Secretary of the Navy on 8 May 1956, and placed under the authority of a U.S. Navy command in Naples, Italy.  The principal mission then was to provide facilities and services for the execution in Italy of Articles VII and VIII under the NATO SOFA relating to the exercise of criminal jurisdiction and processing claims for damage or injury, and to perform such other legal and liaison duties at the seat of the Italian Government, as assigned by competent authority.  Since its inception, the USSSO has shifted its reporting responsibilities and, as of 1 October 1990, now reports directly to the J5, EUCOM.

USSSO is diplomatically-credentialed to represent U.S. interests for all matters involving the U.S. military Forces in Italy before: Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Defense; Ministry of Labor; and, Ministry of Transportation.

USSSO Italy Phone Book

USSSO’s DSN number: 314-626-3322

NOTE: Add +39 when calling commercial numbers from outside Italy

VOICE COMMERCIAL: 06-4674-2303 / 06-4674-2354

FAX COMMERCIAL: 06-4674-2653

OFFICE EMAIL: RomeUSSSO@state.gov