The Declaration of Value is an official document certification issued by the Italian Consulate with territorial jurisdiction and attached to the diploma and transcript relating to a foreign educational qualification. It provides information about the institution’s level, the duration and entry requirements of the course, the grades obtained, and the qualification’s value in the country where it was awarded. This information helps Italian authorities and educational institutions evaluate the qualification for further studies or professional recognition in Italy.
A Declaration of Value does not constitute a recognition of the degree, but it is an informative document that can be used by the Italian educational institutions and administrations responsible for the recognition of degrees, for the purpose of the continuation of studies, professional recognition, and so forth.
Information regarding the recognition of foreign qualifications in Italy is provided by the Italian Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence (CIMEA). The establishment of CIMEA corresponds to the commitments undertaken by our Country by signing and ratifying the Lisbon Convention on the recognition of qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region.
Depending on the level of the qualification and the purpose for which a recognition is requested (e.g. continuation of studies, access to public competitions, etc.), there are different procedures and administrations responsible for the recognition.
An overview of the various recognition procedures can be found at https://www.cimea.it/EN/pagina-procedure-riconoscimento-titoli.
To request a Declaration of Value for a diploma or degree issued by a school, college, or university within this Consulate’s jurisdiction please complete the application form and attach all required supporting documents listed below.
The documentation will need to be sent by mail:
Consulate General of Italy in Miami – Student Office
4000 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Suite 590
Coral Gables, FL, 33146
For further information, interested parties can contact the Student Office at studenti.miami@esteri.it.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST
Before submitting your application, please ensure that all required documents listed below are included. A separate application must be submitted for each educational qualification, along with the corresponding supporting documents.
For example, if you are requesting a Declaration of Value for both your High School Diploma and your Bachelor’s Degree, you must submit two separate applications, each with its own set of required documents and fees.
- Completed and signed application form.
- Original diploma and transcript or certified copies of both documents. The Principal or Registrar of the school, College, or University must sign the documents before a Notary Public. The notarized documents must then be authenticated with an Apostille issued by the competent Secretary of State. The student, the student’s parents, and the exchange program coordinator are not authorized to certify that the documents are true copies before a Notary Public. Notarizations performed in this manner will not be accepted.
- Italian translations of the diploma and transcripts. Applicants may translate them themselves if accurate, faithful to the originals and following the original layout. Do not translate the original credential name or the Apostille. If translations were sworn before an Italian court, provide the original sworn translations with court stamps; in that case Art. 72A does not apply.
- Copy of the applicant’s valid passport.
- Fully prepaid FedEx/DHL/UPS return envelope with applicant as shipper and recipient; photocopy of envelope/label; and signed section 7 “RETURNS OF DOCUMENTS BY MAIL — AUTHORIZATION”, if return by mail is requested.
- Money order, if fees apply. The Declaration of Value is issued free of charge only upon submission of proof of admission to a university program in Italy. Otherwise, fees under Art. 66O (Consular Declaration) and, where applicable, Art. 72A (certification of English-to-Italian translations), calculated per sheet (front and back), apply. Consular fees