<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-09-25</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001255821</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NUVEEN DIVERSIFIED DIVIDEND &amp; INCOME FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JDD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001228060</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RYAN JOHN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>75 STATE STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02109</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Officer of Investment Adviser</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John E. Bruno - Attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

