I'm a welder without a certification, Can I find a job????

Hello forum,
Is possible for someone that knows how to weld find a job without any certification or any kind of paper that say "you are a good welder" ????

I'm almost 40 years old, Italian and I had been residing in the US for over 10 years.
In Italy I start to work when I was 13 as an auto repair mechanic and my first welding was an old rusty muffler, done with the torch. I then worked as a mechanic for heavy industrial vehicle such 18 wheel trucks, busses, cranes, trailers construction/modification, you named! I also worked as a metal construction company, inside and out in the field.
I'm able to weld everything, metal bending, metal construction, etc, etc, etc,

All my past experiences are in Italy and here I do not have any prove of my skills.

I'm single, no kids, no mortgages and ready to move any where in the world for a high pay job that seems to be this pipeline welder position. I had been re-searching here and there and it's very confusing. Many people are pushing to enjoy the union and get a certification ($) but others are saying that those schools are just ripping you off and useless.

Kindly reply me to italiano306@hotmail.com
All your advices will be very appreciated,
Thanks all..

You can goto the community college and pay to take a test, and when you pass it you get your certification. Its about 150 dollars, I think, and you dont have to be a student.

Paper has always been highly valued in the US and today probably more than ever. Welding is considered high-risk. Someone who "says" he can weld might ruin expensive metal fabrications, burn himself and burn down a factory. Employers are usually not willing to take that risk.
If it is at all possible for you, get your certificate.
If you can't, the only welding job you might be able to get would be for an artist or a small repair shop, like a bike shop.
But those are a matter of being in the right place at the right time.