The state has extended the Enhanced Driver License and Identification Card services to the Downtown Seattle Licensing Service Office.

The Department of Licensing will begin scheduling appointments in May.

It's been two months since the enhanced license program was introduced and over 9,500 enhanced license 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 Washington State Department of Licensing.

By June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens will need a passport, an enhanced license, or other federally accepted alternate travel document to return to the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Washington is the first state in the nation to "embrace the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative head-on, implement cutting-edge technology, and provide an acceptable alternate travel document to preserve trade and tourism across our borders," the department said.

Participation in the enhanced license program is voluntary. Applicants can call toll-free (866) 520-4365 to make an appointment to apply in-person at 13 participating Licensing Service Offices throughout the state. They need to bring specific documents to prove their U.S. citizenship, identity and Washington state residency. It costs $15 more than a regular driver 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 this new program and the list of participating Licensing Service Offices is available at the DOL's Web site at www.dol.wa.gov.