What Is the Dichiarazione di Valore (DoV)?

Often met by Turkish students applying to higher education in Italy, the Dichiarazione di Valore (DoV) is an official document showing your degree’s value in the Italian system. In this post we explain what the DoV is and how it is obtained.

What is the DoV?

The Dichiarazione di Valore in Loco (the DoV for short) is an official declaration issued by the Italian consulate, explaining what education level a foreign degree corresponds to, which institution it belongs to, and how it is positioned in Italy. For Turkish students, the DoV is one of the bridge documents ensuring their degrees are assessed correctly by Italian universities. The DoV documents not the content of the degree but its value and validity within the system. In this it differs from a simple translation; it carries the nature of an institutional verification. Many Italian universities want the DoV or an equivalent recognition document in the application.

How do you get a DoV?

The DoV is obtained through the Italian consulate in Turkey (usually the Istanbul Consulate General). The process needs the apostilled and sworn-translated form of your degree and the additional documents the consulate wants. The application is made by the procedure the consulate sets, and preparing the document can take time. So you must plan the DoV as an early step of your application calendar. For the translations needed for consular procedures, see our translation for the consulate page.

DoV or CIMEA?

There are two main ways to have a degree recognised in Italy: the consulate-sourced DoV and the recognition reports issued by the CIMEA centre (Statement of Comparability / Verification). Some universities want the DoV, while others accept or prefer the CIMEA report. Which is needed varies by the university and programme you apply to. So confirming exactly which recognition document the institution wants before applying prevents needless cost and loss of time. Both ways require the apostille and translation of your degree.

The required documents

A DoV application typically wants the original and apostille of your degree, a sworn Italian translation, the transcript, identity documents and the application forms the consulate requests. Preparing the documents in full and in the right order is critical for the process to move without delay. The apostille and translation being done correctly in particular ensures the consulate accepts the document. Working with an experienced office for the preparation of these documents makes it easier to build a file suited to the consular requirements.

How long does it take?

The time to prepare the DoV varies by the consulate’s workload and the state of your documents; it can take longer than a few weeks. Also, the apostille and translation steps that must be completed before the DoV are added to the total time. So the DoV is one of the steps of the application process that must be started earliest. Leaving it to the last minute creates the risk of not reaching the academic year. Planning the process from the start and preparing the documents early is the safest way.

After the DoV

Once your DoV is ready, you add it to your university application or Universitaly pre-enrolment process. The DoV eases your degree’s recognition, but the final acceptance decision still belongs to the university. In some cases the university may want an additional document or explanation. Submitting the DoV in full and on time strengthens the academic side of your application. For the details of the recognition process, see our DoV guide page.

Common problems

The commonest problems in the DoV process are: the apostille or translation being missing/incorrect, name inconsistencies in the documents, and overlooking the consulate’s current requirements. Also, some students confuse the DoV with the CIMEA report and prepare the wrong document. These problems may require starting the process from scratch. Learning the institution’s exact requirement before applying and preparing the documents in the right order prevents most of these hitches. For translation and apostille tracking, you can take a free quote.

Time-saving tips when getting a DoV

The most effective way to speed up the DoV process is to meet the consulate’s current requirement list in full from the start. The apostille and translation being done correctly, consistency of name spellings and the application forms being filled correctly ensure your document is accepted first time. Also, if you will apply to several universities, considering the CIMEA report alongside the DoV gives flexibility; some institutions prefer one, some the other. Running the process with an experienced office makes it easier to prepare a file suited to the consular expectations and prevents needless back-and-forth.

Frequently asked questions