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Declarations of Value (DV) and Consular Declaration (CD) for School Documents

Declaration of Value (DDV) for Educational Documents and Consular Declaration

The Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore, or DDV) is an informational document issued by Italian diplomatic and consular missions. It describes the value of an educational qualification within the educational system of the country of origin. The DDV does not constitute formal recognition of the qualification; rather, it assists educational institutions and the competent Italian authorities responsible for recognizing qualifications in evaluating such qualifications for the purposes of continuing education, practicing a profession, and accessing public competitions/examinations.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Consulate General of Vancouver is authorized to issue Declarations of Value and Consular Declarations only for educational qualifications obtained from Canadian schools or universities located within its consular jurisdiction in Western Canada (the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon Territory). A list of the Italian consular network in Canada is available at: https://consvancouver.esteri.it/it/chi-siamo/la-rete-consolare/

DDVs are not issued for the purpose of having an educational qualification recognized by an entity other than an Italian Public Administration. The Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver does not issue equivalency certifications for educational qualifications. A DDV is issued for each individual qualification. Therefore, if multiple educational qualifications are submitted, a separate DDV is issued for each qualification.

 

DECLARATION OF VALUE (DV)

A Declaration of Value (DV) may only be issued for documents that have “legal value” in Canada (e.g., a secondary school diploma or university degree). It provides information about the qualification obtained in Canada, such as the official duration of the course of study, admission requirements, the courses/programs to which the qualification provides access, etc. For the procedure and list of required documents, see Section A.

The DDV is issued for educational qualifications obtained in a country other than those of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or the Swiss Confederation, for the purposes of:

  • Academic recognition (Law 148/2002 – Art. 46, Presidential Decree 394/1999);

  • Non-academic recognition (Presidential Decree 189/2009): access to public competitions/examinations; pension and social-security purposes, including in connection with academic curricula; registration with employment centres; access to apprenticeships or internships following completion of a specialist or master’s degree;

  • Professional recognition (Legislative Decree 206/2007): exclusively for regulated professions in Italy listed at the link “List of Regulated Professions and Competent Authorities.”

The issuance of a Declaration of Value is independent of the requirement to have the foreign qualification translated into Italian, given that its sole purpose is to certify the qualification’s validity/effectiveness within the educational system of the country of origin. A translation is required if requested by the administration receiving the document. So-called “bridge” translations made through a third language are not accepted. The Consulate is required to issue the DDV within 30 days of receiving the complete documentation submitted by the applicant.

 

A. HOW TO APPLY FOR A DECLARATION OF VALUE (DV) OF A DIPLOMA/DEGREE (e.g., Grade 12 Diploma, Bachelor, Master, PhD, etc.)

Items that need to be sent by mail to the Education Office of our Consulate General (please note that we don’t accept applications sent via email):

  1. Application form EDUC01 (available in the forms page) signed in original by the applicant (if 18 or older) or by a parent/legal guardian (if applicant is a minor).

  2. Photocopy of the student’s passport (or another valid identity document indicating nationality), and of the parent/legal guardian if the student is a minor.

  3. Original Diploma/Degree and Transcripts* bearing the Apostille issued by the competent federal or provincial government:

    The Apostille must be affixed to the original document or to a certified copy of the educational qualification.

    For secondary school diplomas, a letter of attendance/frequency must be provided by the school (by email or mail) confirming the exact dates on which the student attended the educational institution.

    * For university degrees, check whether the university or employer in Italy requires transcripts to be included in the DV.

  4.  If the name that appears on the applicant’s passport (or other valid government-issued ID) doesn’t match exactly the name that appears on the official document(s), the applicant must submit an official letter from the university or school confirming:
    • Full name (as it appears on the passport or other valid government-issued ID), student number, date and place of birth of the applicant;
    • Details of the document(s) issued to the applicant (i. e., type of document, identification number, date of issue, etc.).
  5. Translation of the Diploma/Degree and Transcripts if required by the Italian school/university or employer. The translation must be carried out by one of the certified translators included in the List of certified translators available in the forms page. The Apostille does not require translation.
  6. Pre-paid, self-addressed trackable mail envelope (Xpresspost or other courier) and form GEN02B (available in the forms page) to authorize the Consulate to return the documents by mail.
  7. The DV is free of charge if the applicant needs it to continue their studies (please specify, in the application form, which studies you intend to undertake and where). In all other cases, it is subject to the payment of consular fees: article 66N, for the issuance of the DV, and art. 69, to legalize the certified translator’s signature (if a translation is included). The Table of Consular Fees is available in the forms page.

 

B. HOW TO APPLY FOR A CONSULAR DECLARATION (CD) FOR ACADEMIC REPORT CARDS OR TRANSCRIPTS

The following list includes all items that need to be sent by mail (we recommend using certified mail with tracking number) to the Education Office of our Consulate General:

  1. Application form EDUC01 (available in the forms page) signed in original by the applicant (if 18 or older) or by a parent/legal guardian (if applicant is a minor).
  2. Photocopy of the current passport (or other valid government-issued ID indicating the nationality) of the student and of the parent/legal guardian if the student is a minor.
  3. Original Report Card or Official Transcript  or certified copy bearing the Apostille issued by the competent federal or provincial government:
    • For documents issued in British Columbia click here;
    • For documents issued in Alberta click here;
    • For documents issued in Saskatchewan click here;
    • For documents issued in Yukon click here.

    The Apostille must be attached to an original document or to the certified copy.

    For high school Report Cards and Transcripts it is necessary to submit an attendance letter issued by the school confirming the student’s exact dates of enrollment. The letter can be submitted via mail or e-mail.

  4. Translation of the Diploma/Degree and Transcripts if required by the Italian school/university or employer. The translation must be carried out by one of the certified translators included in the List of certified translators available in the forms page. The Apostille does not require translation.
  5. Pre-paid, self-addressed trackable mail envelope (Xpresspost or other courier) and form GEN02B (available in the forms page) to authorize the Consulate to return the documents by mail.
  6. The CD is free of charge if the applicant needs it to continue their studies (please specify, in the application form, which studies you intend to undertake and where). In all other cases, it is subject to the payment of consular fee, art. 69, to legalize the certified translator’s signature (if a translation is included). The Table of Consular Fees is available in the forms page.

Last update: 29 Sept, 2026