SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

New SOS customer option at SUPER!Centers, PLUS offices

Customers now have the convenient option of using their MasterCard credit or debit card at the counter in SUPER!Centers and PLUS offices, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced today.

"Paying by credit or debit card is a convenience many people appreciate and we're very pleased to expand the options available to our customers," Land said.

The Department of State currently accepts the Discover Card at the counters of its six SUPER!Centers and 29 PLUS offices across the state.

MasterCard recently changed a longstanding company policy and now allows the department to assess a nominal fee for branch face-to-face credit card transactions in order to cover MasterCard service fees. This change enabled department officials to move forward in agreement with MasterCard. VISA has a policy similar to MasterCard's old one.

"We're thankful that MasterCard was willing to change its policy so we can offer people another easy way to pay for their transactions," Land said, adding that she is hopeful VISA will soon follow suit.

VISA continues to be accepted for transactions conducted by Internet, mail, touch-tone phone and at Self-Service Stations.

Land created SUPER!Centers and PLUS offices in 2004 to offer services beyond those provided by traditional branch offices. Advantages include expanded hours, additional staffing and the ability to obtain personal driving records and instant titles on site.

Visit the department's Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos or call 1-888-SOS-MICH for more information about office locations and services.