Local Secretary of State offices around Michigan and the department’s online services will be getting a major computer upgrade this weekend.
After the upgrade, electronic records will eliminate paperwork. Vehicle owners will be able to order a license plate, renew a snowmobile registration or order a state park passport at michigan.gov/sos. Auto dealers and repair shops will find online options, too.
Secretary Jocelyn Benson says the $67 million upgrade will replace aging technology from the 1960s and 70s.
“We feel this modernization is long overdue,” says Benson.
The offices and online services will be closed from 5:00 p.m. Friday until Tuesday morning. And while Benson expects the new computer system will be up and running, she admits Secretary of State employees will probably need the rest of February to get up to speed with new system.
As the department works out the bugs, it’s waiving late fees for people who need to do business with the Secretary of State’s office between now and March 2nd.
