Spring Boating Expo in Novi hosts Secretary of State Mobile Office

MAR. 15, 2012

Full-service office services to be available
 

NOVI, Mich. - The full-service Secretary of State Mobile Office will give watercraft enthusiasts the opportunity to get ready for summer during the Spring Boating Expo in Novi today through March 18, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today.

"Save yourself a trip to a branch office at the same time you're enjoying exploring the latest in boats and boating equipment," Johnson said. "Get your Recreation Passport or renew your watercraft. You can also renew your license plate tabs and get duplicate titles and registration. It's easy and quick."

The Recreation Passport allows Michigan residents the option of paying an additional $10 per car or truck or $5 per motorcycle when renewing a vehicle registration or registering a new vehicle. The letter "P" is printed on the vehicle tab of people who have purchased the Recreation Passport. The passport allows entry into all state parks, natural areas and 1,000 boat launches for no additional cost and is valid until the tab expires. As of December 2011, about 22 percent of Michigan vehicles had Recreation Passports.

"The Spring Boating Expo brings together all segments of the boating industry, including boats, motors, trailers, accessories and services, to create an all-inclusive boat buying opportunity just before spring," said Nicki Polan, spokeswoman for the Michigan Boating Industries Association. "We are pleased to have Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson join us at this event, which also brings together many service and safety groups including boating safety instructors."

A free boating safety course is available March 17 beginning with registration at 11 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged at www.SpringBoatingExpo.net. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Oakland County Sheriff's Department Marine Division are offering the course.

The Mobile Office will be open during the show's public days, which runs through March 18 at 46100 Grand River Drive in Novi. Show hours are as follows:

• Today - 2 to 9 p.m.
• Friday, March 16 - 2 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, March 17 - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunday, March 18 - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Residents can also renew their watercraft at www.ExpressSOS.com, the online, no-wait Secretary of State, which allows customers to access expanded online services without having to make a trip to a branch office. Since it launched in October, customers have performed more than 700,000 online transactions through the site.

For more information about office locations and additional services, visit www.Michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/MichSOS and Facebook updates at http://www.facebook.com/MichiganSoS.

Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

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For media questions, please call Gisgie Dávila Gendreau at 517-373-2520.