Erie County Clerk
Press Releases

2/24/09

New "Express EDL" Service Launched in Erie County

County Clerk Kathy Hochul Announces Public Outreach for Erie County Organizations to Apply for Enhanced Driver's Licenses

Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul announced today a new service for groups and organizations who want to obtain their Enhanced Driver's Licenses and Enhanced Non-Driver I.D. Cards before the June 1st, 2009 deadline. "Express EDL" service will allow pre-arranged groups to be scheduled for processing at traditionally slower periods at the two larger Auto Bureaus. "We have received many requests from organizations for EDL information, so the next logical step was to offer the opportunity for members to apply together as a group. By scheduling groups at traditionally slower times in the Auto Bureaus and ensuring the applicants have the proper documentation in advance, we are able to process applications more quickly and efficiently," said Hochul.

This week, families in the Western New York Travel Baseball Association will be joined by the County Clerk at the Cheektowaga Auto Bureau, 2122 George Urban Boulevard (at Dick Road) as they apply for these important travel documents from 5pm-6:45pm on Wednesday, February 25th. On Thursday, February 26th from 8:30am-11am at the Downtown Auto Bureau, 77 Broadway (between Elm and Oak streets) NITTEC Coalition Members will take advantage of the new program.

Erie County continues to lead New York State in processing Enhanced Driver's Licenses and the demand is growing. In the first 6 weeks of 2009 more EDL's have been issued in Erie County than in the entire 16 week period they were available in 2008. Beginning in June 2009, the Department of Homeland Security will require travelers to have either a Passport or an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced non-driver ID Card for land/sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

For more information on Enhanced Driver's Licenses including a checklist for required documentation log onto the County Clerk's website at www.erie.gov/clerk. Groups wanting to schedule "Express EDL" service can call Tom Garlick at 858-7754