What is consular submission?
Consular submission is the final stage of the Declaration of Value. Your authenticated and translated documents, application form, identification, and any fees are delivered to the Italian consulate or embassy with jurisdiction. The consulate reviews the file and issues the Dichiarazione di Valore, which describes your qualification in terms Italian institutions understand.
Which Italian consulate handles my documents?
Jurisdiction usually follows the location of the institution that issued your degree, matched against the Italian consular network in the United States. If your degrees come from schools in different jurisdictions — for example, a Bachelor's in Florida and a Master's in Illinois — they may need to be processed separately.
Always verify jurisdiction before submission. See our consulate pages for each office's coverage.
Consulate-specific requirements
Declaration of Value procedures are not identical across every Italian Consulate in the United States.
Application forms, fees, translation rules, submission methods, supporting documentation, return envelopes, and other procedures can all vary from one office to another — and can change without much notice.
Document checklist
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Your exact checklist depends on the consulate and purpose of the Declaration of Value.
Application forms
Use the current application form published by the competent Italian diplomatic or consular authority. Outdated forms downloaded from third-party sites are a frequent cause of returned files. The form typically states the purpose of the request — study, work, or professional recognition.
Fees
Consular fees depend on the purpose of the request and the consulate's current fee schedule, and some purposes may be exempt. Check the current schedule for your consulate; payment methods (money order, card, etc.) also vary.
Submission methods
- Appointment booking
- In-person submission where permitted
- Courier and prepaid return-delivery arrangements
Availability varies by consulate. Some offices accept mail only, others require appointments.
Processing times
There is no universal turnaround. Processing depends on the consulate, time of year (summer admissions season is busiest), completeness of the file, whether verification with the school is needed, and document type.
What happens after submission?
- 1Package submitted
- 2Consular intake
- 3Document review
- 4Verification if required
- 5Declaration of Value issued
- 6Documents returned
Common reasons for delays
Incorrect jurisdiction
Sent to a consulate that doesn't cover the school.
Missing apostille
See our apostille guide.
Incorrect notarization
Defective notarial certificates.
Missing translation
Pages left untranslated.
Unsigned application
The applicant's signature is missing.
Incorrect payment
Wrong amount or method.
Missing identification
No passport or ID copy.
Incomplete academic records
Missing prior degrees in a PhD chain.
No return envelope
Where the consulate requires prepaid return shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I submit my Declaration of Value?
To the Italian consulate or embassy whose jurisdiction covers the institution that issued your degree.
Which Italian consulate handles my university?
Usually the office covering the state where the university is located. Check our consulate pages or ask us to confirm.
How long does a Declaration of Value take?
It varies by consulate, season, and file completeness — from a few weeks to several months.
Can someone submit my DOV for me?
Many consulates allow a representative or mail submission. Rules vary.
Do I need an appointment?
Some consulates require appointments; others accept mail only.
How much does a Declaration of Value cost?
Consular fees depend on the purpose and current fee schedule. Service fees for preparation are separate.
Can I apply from outside the United States?
Often yes by mail, but the consulate with jurisdiction over your school still handles it.
Does the application need to be notarized?
Usually not, but some consulates ask for a signed ID copy or other attestation.
Can documents be mailed to the Italian consulate?
Many consulates accept mail submissions with a prepaid return envelope.
What happens if my DOV application is incomplete?
The consulate may return it or request missing items, which delays issuance.
Ready to submit a consulate-ready file?
We prepare, authenticate, coordinate translation for, and submit Declaration of Value files for Italian consulates across the United States.
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