I am an individual who urgently requires Apostilled documents from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to secure employment abroad. Without these documents, my savings will soon be depleted, leaving me in a precarious financial situation.

The current delays in providing these services are not just affecting me but thousands of South Africans who need to work abroad or conduct international business. The lack of efficiency is causing significant distress and potential financial ruin for many.

It's important to note that the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, which South Africa is a signatory to, necessitates that public documents are certified by one single stamp or 'Apostille' in order to be recognized as authentic in all other signatory countries. This process should be straightforward and efficient, but unfortunately, this has not been our experience with DIRCO. Many who have sent their documents to DIRCO have been waiting for over 12 weeks, whereas the turnaround time according to their website is supposed to be 6-7 weeks.

With the addition of a walk-in, same day service, documents sitting in the backlog are not being prioritised.

We urge DIRCO to uphold its commitment under this convention and provide timely legalisation and Apostille services. We understand the complexities involved but believe that with adequate resources allocated towards this service, it can significantly improve.

Please join us in urging DIRCO to expedite their processes for issuing legalised and Apostilled documents. Your signature can make a difference in our lives – ensuring we don't lose opportunities due to bureaucratic delays. Sign this petition today!