Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Renewing a license at the Michigan Secretary of State Office

Renewing anything at the Secretary of State is a task I dread. In days gone by, the process meant taking time off work or school and/or dragging kids to the most boring place ever, dealing with unfriendly clerks, waiting in long lines to complete task A, finding out I filled in the wrong form, and shuffling to another line to complete task B and so on. At best, it meant 90 minutes of my life spent in dreariness.

Hate to admit it, but this is why I procrastinated until this week to renew my drivers license. In case you are just joining us, my birthday was in August. Frankly, I might have procrastinated longer, if it weren't for the fact that Polly's almost didn't accept my check the other day, and my father-in-law (aka "voice of reason") reminded me that driving without a valid license can get you a big fat fine... or worse.

So I took a deep breath, found my paperwork, canceled all my morning meetings and arrived at the Secretary of State office's in Chelsea at 9:51 a.m. Monday morning. I walked in the front door, took a number, and glanced over at the seating area, when a friendly voice said, "Can I help you?" I looked up... and to my amazement, she was talking to me. Threw my number in the trash, and walked over to the counter to tell the clerk I need to renew my drivers license. She takes my paperwork, asks me to sign a couple things, and tells me how much to write my check for. Then, amidst a bit of chit chat about jewelry, while I was still wondering "Why is she being so nice? What's the catch?", she says, "OK! You're all set. Meet me down at the end of the counter to get your new photo."

She takes the photo, and says, "Have a nice day!" Whoa... I'm done? The time? 10:02 a.m. Woo hoo!

Wow, if it's always like this, maybe I won't procrastinate so much next time!

Secretary of State Branch Office in Chelsea, MI:

1113 S. Main St.
Chelsea, MI 48118
888-767-6424
Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri. - 9 til 5 & Wed. 11 til 7

Also see: Michigan Secretary of State website

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Wow, I couldn't agree more with you. These are the nicest group of women not to mention quick. I drive from Ann Arbor and will never go any where else again.