Your U.S. Degree, Officially Recognized in Italy.
The complete Dichiarazione di Valore pipeline — double statement letters, notarization, Secretary of State apostille, certified Italian translation, and consulate submission — handled end-to-end by our Philadelphia firm so your DoV is approved the first time.
Trusted Declaration of Value specialists.
A decade of consular document work, built specifically for the Italian system.
Recognized in Italy
Every package built to Italian Consulate and MIUR requirements.
All 50 States — Students
We work with graduates from any U.S. institution, coast to coast.
All Italian Consulates
Philadelphia, NYC, Boston, Miami, Chicago, Houston, LA, SF, Detroit.
High School → PhD
Diplomas, transcripts, and degrees at every academic level.
Apostille Certified
Hague Convention authentication accepted across all of Italy.
Certified Italian Translation
Accurate, complete translations meeting consular standards.
Double Statement Letters
Drafted, notarized, and reviewed before they leave our office.
End-to-End Delivery
One firm handles the entire chain — submitted to the consulate for you.
Your DoV, step by step.
Our firm coordinates the entire path — you focus on gathering your original academic documents.
Request Academic Documents
Order official diplomas and transcripts directly from your registrar — issued on letterhead, prepared for international use, and eligible for notarization. For a Master's DoV the consulate requires the full chain: Bachelor's diploma, Bachelor's transcripts, Master's diploma, Master's transcripts.
- Official Diploma(s)
- Official Transcript(s)
- Issued on school letterhead
Double Statement Letters
The school prepares a certification letter on official letterhead verifying the document is authentic and confirming the authority of the signing official. The registrar (or authorized official) signs the letter, and a Notary Public notarizes that signature.
- Letter on school letterhead
- Signed by registrar
- Signature notarized in person
Mail Your Documents
Mail the original notarized documents, order form, payment, and return shipping instructions to our office. Our team reviews the full package against consular requirements before submission to ensure compliance.
- Originals only
- Order form + payment
- Pre-submission review
Apostille Processing
We handle notary and apostille processing in Philadelphia and coordinate directly with every Secretary of State to authenticate your documents under the Hague Convention for use in Italy.
- Filed in the correct state
- Hague Convention compliant
- Tracked end-to-end
Certified Italian Translation
Apostilled documents are translated into Italian — including any English or Latin text — by experienced translators. Every translation is accurate, complete, and reflects all content from the original.
- Includes Latin honors & seals
- Translator certified
- Formatted to consular standards
Italian Consulate Submission
We submit your complete package to the Italian Consulate of jurisdiction, track the application through processing, and return your finalized Declaration of Value securely. Documents can also be shipped back to you on request.
- Filed at correct consulate
- Tracked through pickup
- Secure return shipping
Mailing Address
Please use a trackable shipping method and retain your tracking number until delivery is confirmed.
Estimated durations for each stage.
Depends on school turnaround and registrar availability.
Timing depends on the issuing state's Secretary of State.
Completed by experienced translators familiar with consular standards.
Varies by consulate of jurisdiction and appointment availability.
The 5 most common DoV mistakes.
Rejections cost months. Our firm catches these before your package leaves Philadelphia.
Trying to apostille a copy
This is the #1 rejection. You cannot apostille a photocopy of a diploma or transcript. The Secretary of State authenticates the school official's notarized signature attestation — not the academic document itself. Without that signed, notarized attestation on school letterhead, the apostille will be refused.
Incomplete chain for PhD or Master's
A PhD DoV requires Bachelor's, Master's, AND PhD documents — each with its own DoV. A Master's DoV requires Bachelor's + Master's. If your degrees were issued by schools in different consular jurisdictions, each chain must be processed separately at the correct consulate.
Wrong consulate jurisdiction
Declarations of Value must be processed at the consulate with jurisdiction over the state where the issuing institution is located — not where you currently live. Multiple schools across jurisdictions = multiple consulate filings.
Missing double statement letter
Diplomas and transcripts alone cannot be apostilled. Italy requires a notarized school certification letter — signed by an authorized registrar and notarized in person — confirming authenticity and the signing official's authority.
Translating the apostille itself
Apostilles do not need to be translated. What MUST be translated: diplomas, transcripts, supporting documents, notarization pages, and grading scales. Translating the apostille wastes time and money — and the consulate may still request additional supporting documents.
Philadelphia Notary & Apostille
We are a Philadelphia-based document legalization and translation firm specializing in apostilles, notarizations, and certified Italian translations for academic, legal, and corporate documents. For over a decade we have helped students, professionals, and families prepare U.S.-issued documents for use in Italy and across the Hague Convention.
Led by Brian Perez, our team coordinates directly with school registrars, state Secretaries of State, certified translators, and the Italian Consulate of Philadelphia to deliver complete, consulate-ready DoV packages — reviewed against current requirements before they ever leave our office.
Most DoV firms operate from Italy. There are very few U.S.-based firms helping American graduates prepare their documents domestically — we're bridging that gap.
- U.S.-based firm serving graduates from all 50 states
- Accessible communication on your local time zone
- Affordable, billed in U.S. dollars — no foreign exchange surprises
- Direct coordination with U.S. schools, Secretaries of State, and Italian Consulates
- Document review against current consular requirements before submission
Frequently asked questions
What is a Declaration of Value (DoV)?+
A Dichiarazione di Valore in Loco is an official certificate issued by the Italian Consulate confirming the authenticity and academic level of your U.S. degree within the Italian educational system. It is required for study, work, professional licensing, and citizenship applications in Italy.
I'm applying for a PhD DoV — what do I need?+
Italy requires the full academic chain. A PhD DoV requires DoVs for your Bachelor's, Master's, AND PhD. If those degrees were issued by schools located in different U.S. states under different Italian consular jurisdictions, each DoV must be processed at its corresponding consulate — meaning multiple parallel filings. We coordinate the full chain for you.
Why can't I just apostille a photocopy of my diploma?+
This is the most common rejection. The Secretary of State's apostille authenticates the school official's notarized signature attestation — not the document itself. You need an original certification letter on school letterhead, signed by an authorized registrar, and notarized in person before it can be apostilled.
Which documents need to be translated into Italian?+
Translated: diplomas, transcripts, supporting documents, notarization pages, and grading scales. NOT translated: the apostille itself. The consulate may also request additional supporting documents depending on your program.
Do I need a DoV for Italian citizenship?+
If you are applying for jure sanguinis or other citizenship pathways that require proof of education, yes — a DoV is typically required as part of your consular package.
Which consulate will handle my DoV?+
The consulate with jurisdiction over the state where your school is physically located. We manage submissions across all U.S. Italian consulates.
How long does the full process take?+
Most complete DoV packages are ready for consulate submission in 3–6 weeks, depending on Secretary of State processing times and consulate appointment availability. PhD chains across multiple jurisdictions take longer.
Begin your DoV order
Complete the secure order form below. Prefer a different channel? Call (215) 892-2680.
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Ready to start your Declaration of Value?
Have questions about consulate jurisdiction, document chains, or translations? Contact Brian Perez directly, or scroll up to begin your order.