LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Wednesday, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced advances to the department’s service-driven operating model, and applauded the bipartisan support for legislation that affirms the model.
“Right now anyone can access in-person services at our 130 branch offices by walking up, calling ahead or going online to schedule a visit, and no matter what they choose every Michigander is now provided accurate information on when they will be served and the certainty that their office visit will take on average just 20 minutes,” Benson said in a statement. “This operating model moves the department forward, and I want to thank members of the Michigan House of Representatives who worked with us to craft bipartisan legislation in support of it and our post-pandemic plan to continue providing convenient and efficient in-person services for all Michiganders.”
Michigan residents can schedule office visits online at Michigan.gov/SOS, by calling 888-SOS-MICH, or by stopping by an office to speak with staff.
When residents arrive at offices unannounced staff serve them immediately if there is availability, tell them when the next opening is and invite them to wait inside or come back, or assist them to schedule a return visit at a convenient time for them, often the next day.
Benson also announced two advances to the model:
- Offices will soon offer additional hours, opening earlier and closing later to address the transaction backlog caused by the pandemic. From July 19 to Sept 30, all offices will stay open until 6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and open at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. (Current office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.)
Residents who want to schedule visits at these times will be able to do so online, by phone or in person starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, when the extra hours for the entire following week will become available.
- Most driver’s licenses and state IDs with an expiration on or after July 1 can now be renewed without an office visit, thanks to a technology upgrade.
More than 1,600 Michiganders have already taken advantage of the upgrade and renewed their license or ID online or at a self-service station now that in-person visits for new photos are only required every 12 years instead of every eight. Residents who recently received a renewal mailer saying they need to renew in person are encouraged to first try renewing online or at a self-service station, as mailers sent before July couldn’t reflect the change until it took effect.
