U.S. State Department Extends Processing Time to 12 Weeks

U.S. DOS, Office of Authentications, Institutes Significant Increase in Turnaround Times

WCS confirms that documents submitted to U.S. DOS are now taking 12-13 weeks to process. A substantial increase from the 5 weeks previously promised, the revised timeline presents a new pain point for those needing document authentication for overseas use. WCS continues to advocate, as we did during the pandemic, for improved timelines, working closely with elected officials and State Department authorities. The cause of the new timeline expansion is a dramatic increase, post-pandemic, in U.S. passport applications, which taps the same manpower resource as document authentication.

Expedited Services Available for Key Countries

A list of countries, recognizing the importance of global trade and supply chain efficiencies, has approved workaround procedures to expedite document authentications. Most comprehensive is the program of Vietnam, implementing expedited procedures for all types of documents: general and Federal. Egypt, Kuwait, U.A.E, Taiwan, Lebanon, and Iraq offer restricted programs, with expedited handling available for restricted document categories. Details about which documents qualify for this type of rush handling are easily accessible at www.wcss.com, using WCS Express™ for online ordering. Our consultants will clarify any concerns you may have before choosing the Rush option. You may contact us directly at wcs@wcss.com to inquire further.

Speed to Market: Our WCS Commitment

We recognize that prolonged processing times impose consequences upon global trade and the effective delivery of crucial products, such as medicines and medical devices, to the hands of those in need. WCS remains confident that our involvement with government officials and advocacy posture will eventually result in better turnaround times. Meanwhile, we maintain our focus on process efficiency and optimal delivery schedules.

Pakistan accedes to the Apostille Convention

Fifty-two years after the Apostille Treaty was created at the Hague Convention, growth in new signatories continues: On March 9^th,2023, Pakistan will become the newest participant.

As of this date, the Pakistani Embassy will no longer accept documents for the legalization process, but rather engage in the streamlined Apostille process, as established by the treaty.

At WCS, we have already prepared for a smooth transition. WCS will provide you with an apostille for Pakistan. From there, your document will be completed and ready for use in Pakistan—no additional steps are required.

Processing time at the U.S. Department of State is currently 11 weeks. All new document authentications, therefore, will be processed as apostilles starting March 9, 2023.

Pakistan will abolish the traditional requirement for legalization, which is often a lengthy and costly legalization process, with the issuance of a single Apostille certificate. This simplified framework facilitates the international circulation of public documents for individuals, families, and regulatory operators.

The HCCH 1961 Apostille convention has over 120 contracting parties and has become one of the most widely applied multilateral treaties in legal cooperation, with several million Apostilles issued each year.

Pakistan now joins recent new participants to the Hague treaty, such as Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. As always, you can count on WCS to manage the transition.

WCS – Westex Group Gains Advisory Board Seat at the Global Chamber

WCS and its sister company, Westex Group, were delighted to host the Global Chamber’s Autumn event in support of global trade. During the event, Varghese George, founder and CEO was welcomed and introduced as the newest member of the Advisory Board by the Chamber’s Mi Jeong Hibbitts.

Varghese George recounted how his company began in a one-room office on Washington’s storied K Street corridor. He professed optimism for the future of global trade and breakthroughs in the supply-chain system. On K Street, situated among Washington’s influential power-brokers, he built a dynamic enterprise in the mid-1980s, exporting American goods to international infrastructure projects.

Shortly after, he saw a new business opportunity and founded WCS (Washington Consular Services) to meet the documentation requirements of the same businesses sending goods abroad. As developments have progressed, WCS is now a pioneer in document legalization and apostille services for the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. Many of the most well-known global brands in various areas are represented on the company’s esteemed client list.

WCS, or Washington Consular Services, handles direct, comprehensive, and trustworthy document authentication services for international corporations. Westex Group is a renowned supply-chain management service specializing in locating materials, managing procurement, and facilitating export while adhering to budgets and deadlines. Please reach out to our associates at:

WCS: wcs@wcss.com

Westex: Sales@westexgroup.com

Saudi Arabia Joins Apostille Treaty

Exciting news in the world of document authentication: Saudi Arabia, on December 7, 2022, will become the newest participant in the Apostille Treaty, created at the Hague Convention in 1961.

As of December 7, 2022, Saudi Embassy will no longer accept documents for the legalization process, but rather engage the streamlined apostille process, as established by the treaty.

At WCS, we have already prepared for a smooth transition. WCS will provide you an apostille for Saudi Arabia and, as an add-on service, we can provide a Bilateral U.S.-Arab Chamber stamp.

Processing time at the U.S. Department of State is currently 11 weeks. All new document authentications, therefore, will be processed as apostilles. (Any current legalization would miss the cutoff date of December 7, and be ineligible for completion.)

This will save regulatory managers from overlapping processes or any confusion. Saudi Arabian document authentications will now run as quickly and simply as any apostille!

We have a lot to be thankful to those international leaders who convened in the Hague in 1961 to fashion an agreement that has forever simplified the process of international trade and documentation.

With recent new participants to the Hague treaty, such as Indonesia and Singapore, Saudi Arabia now joins more than 100 nations. As always, you can count on WCS to manage the transition.

WCS Announces Major IT Roll Out

In constant pursuit of enhanced Customer Experience, WCS has entered the final stage of our latest investment in online service-delivery.

Leading the way in apostilles and legalizations, WCS has already placed many of the new features online, including a new Conversation Tab, accessible on the Order page.

In one consolidated folder, clients can conduct dialogues with our expert document-processors, as well as review document orders, including pricing, timeline, geographical distribution, and more.

Another significant feature, nearing completion, is the consolidation of WCS Express™ (our ordering platform) and WCS SecureShare™ (our encrypted document transmission platform) into a unitary sign-in.

In June, we established our International tab, enabling clients to designate documents with OUS origination (Outside of U.S.).

We have also upgraded our reporting and data-management capabilities, enabling advanced and customized reports for revenue performance, customer spend, and ancillary costs.

Additionally, clients will be automatically prompted to upload shipping labels when placing an order, saving time and money later in the process. As always, however, we provide the convenient option of providing shipping via Fedex.

Even better than sending original documents is having a process that can be completed with digital copies. We keep you current on the growing number of document-types and destinations that qualify for 100% digital transactions. Our client simply uploads the document—and we take it from there.

Recently, we had a certified third-party run a PEN test, and we achieved the highest levels of cyber security. Specifically, we passed the stringent security requirements of the European Union.

Taken as a whole, these enhancements serve a core purpose: to alleviate your staff’s workload and increase your speed-to-market.

Set up an account today—at www.wcss.com. . . and let WCS manage your documentary needs, with apostilles and legalizations made easy.

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U.S. State Department Extends Processing Time to 12 Weeks

Pakistan accedes to the Apostille Convention

WCS – Westex Group Gains Advisory Board Seat at the Global Chamber

Saudi Arabia Joins Apostille Treaty

WCS Announces Major IT Roll Out