MARCH 30, 2009

New PLUS offices in Grand Rapids and Holland opened today, giving customers extended Wednesday hours and more services in their area, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced.

"Convenient, timesaving services are what customers expect in the 21st century," Land said. "We listened when people asked for added customer options, and we delivered with expanded offices hours, Self-Service Stations and more services available outside of Lansing."

Other benefits of the new Northeast Kent County PLUS Office at 3472 Plainfield Ave. N.E. and the Ottawa County PLUS Office at 587 E. 8th St., include instant titles, payment by MasterCard and Discover at the counter, and added hours on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Ottawa County PLUS Office also allows 24-hour use of its Self-Service Station, which offers customers an easy way to renew their license plate tabs.

The two offices were formed by upgrading existing traditional offices. The new PLUS office in Holland is the first such office available to serve Allegan and Ottawa county residents. The new Grand Rapids PLUS is Kent County's first, although area residents already are served by the Grand Rapids Area SUPER!Center, which also offers document certification and Saturday morning hours.

The new PLUS offices are among six offices that Land selected to be upgraded in 2009. Also as part of her plan to expand customer convenience, eight additional offices across the state will receive Self-Service Stations and all Secretary of State offices now allow people to buy a copy of their driving record.

Land's efforts to revolutionize the branch office system began in April 2004 and have resulted in the development of 38 PLUS offices and six SUPER!Centers. Customer satisfaction has consistently been high thanks to the modern, convenient services these offices provide.

Land reminds residents who have Internet access to check out the department's online services and Branch Office Locator at www.Michigan.gov/sos before visiting any office. For example, license tabs and watercraft registrations can be renewed online. Browsing the site helps customers know what documents they'll need to bring when they go to an office.