Washington State’s Department of Licensing has added Mount Vernon to the list of participating EDL/ID Licensing Service Offices. The DOL began scheduling appointments for the Mount Vernon office beginning May 1.

“I’m always in favor of putting government services closest to the people they’re intended to serve, so I think DOL expanding their Enhanced Drivers License program to the Mount Vernon Licensing Service Office is a great idea,” said Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, in a released statement.

“People in the north Puget Sound region are among those most likely to benefit from having an Enhanced Driver’s License for crossing the border, so DOL should do whatever it can to make obtaining an EDL as easy and efficient for them as possible,” said Haugen, who serves as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

In the two months since the EDL/ID program was introduced, more than 9,500 EDL/ID cards have been issued and there are close to 22,000 appointments scheduled.

“We’ve been working hard to increase capacity in our existing offices and also expand services to Licensing Offices in regions where we’re seeing the highest demand,” said Liz Luce, Director of the Department of Licensing.

By June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens will need a passport, an EDL/ID, or other federally accepted alternate travel document to return to the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Participation in the EDL/ID program is voluntary. To make an appointment to apply in person, call 866-520-4365. Applicants need to bring specific documents to prove their U.S. citizenship, identity and Washington state residency.
An EDL/ID costs $15 dollars more than a regular driver’s license or ID card and is valid for land or sea border crossing between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

More information about the program is available at the DOL’s Web site at http://www.dol.wa.gov.