Michigan Secretary of State Customer Service Issues

I recently received a letter from the Secretary of State regarding the renewal of registration for my three vehicles. In May, I mailed a check for the fees, assuming it was lost as my registrations did not arrive before my birthday. I then went online on June 19 to pay for the registrations. I later discovered that my check had been cashed, resulting in a double payment. I tried contacting the Secretary of State three times but only received standard replies due to Covid-19 delays. Despite canceling the credit card payment, the issue persists, and I am unable to get through on the phone. The next available appointment is in January [redacted], and the letter states that failing to address this may lead to a license suspension. I urgently need to speak with a representative to resolve this matter. - C. Guilmet

I am the power of attorney for Catherine Ann Miller residing at [redacted] Bennett, Dearborn, MI [redacted]. Cathy's driver's license expires on 10/22/[redacted]. Due to health issues like stage 3 Lung Cancer and ongoing radiation therapy, she has not driven in 2 years and is bedridden and unable to walk. She cannot make it to a branch to renew her license but needs a Michigan state ID card. How can we facilitate obtaining the ID card without her physically going to a branch? Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Contacting the Secretary of State through a single phone number has been frustrating for me. Despite multiple attempts, I have never been able to reach a live person. I initially called in the summer about a driver's license issue without success. I also tried emailing, but received no response. Now I am attempting to sign up for The Basic Driver Improvement Course, and the process seems inefficient. It is aggravating to navigate through a long menu only to be told to call back later due to high call volumes. I suggest implementing a call-back system or providing estimated wait times. I also encountered issues with the email submission process, as it did not confirm whether the email was sent successfully.

Hello, I am Francisca Sugey Alvarado Jacobo. I visited the office yesterday to change my last name due to getting married on 02/14/20. My previous name was Francisca Sugey Lobillo. They mentioned a new law that states if a person has two last names, both will be used. I updated my social security with just one last name, and now I am unsure how to proceed to keep it that way. All my paperwork reflects my name as Francisca Sugey Alvarado. I hope to have my social security show the same. If necessary, I am willing to return to update my license. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

I am trying to help a senior that does not have a computer to get an appointment at our local Secretary of State office. Her old car broke down, and she bought a new one. Her insurance company needs the title transfer to insure the car. I have been trying for five days to secure an appointment without success. It is very frustrating and time-consuming. Every time I manage to choose a time slot and enter the required information, it informs me the slot is no longer available upon submission. I am typing as fast as I can (I am also a senior). I feel helpless as this woman cannot drive to the grocery store or to her doctor's appointments until the title transfer is completed. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I misplaced my old driver's license which expired on October 12, [redacted], and have been unable to drive since September 24, [redacted]. I visited the Westland police station to report my lost license. The issue I am facing is that the state office in Westland is not answering the phone, making it impossible to reach them. I have a new license in the mail on its way to my new address in Romulus from Westland, but I can't legally drive to collect my mail. I am requesting a call back to obtain a temporary license so I can drive again. My name is Michael William Barton. Contact me at [redacted]/[redacted]. My previous address where I lost my wallet with various cards, including my driver's license, is [redacted] Calumet, Westland, Michigan. Thank you, and have a pleasant day!

I have attempted to reach the SOS Office multiple times but have been unsuccessful due to a high call volume. I also tried emailing them twice without success as the message section was not working. I am trying to assist my (future) father-in-law with changing his driver's license and vehicle registration after moving to Michigan. I am concerned about requirements before scheduling an appointment to avoid wasting time. Contact me as soon as possible. I am frustrated with the inability to speak with local offices, a waste of 90 minutes this morning. - S Zimmerman

John Radwanski of Curran, MI, has faced challenges scheduling an appointment with the Alpena, MI SOS office since June [redacted]. Due to poor phone service in his area, he has visited the office in person but was turned away for lack of an appointment. The elderly man has experienced difficulties staying on hold over the phone and often gets disconnected. It is important to prioritize his appointment for sometime in October [redacted], considering his age and the expired plate number AC71688 from 06-24-20.

Renewing My License Online Michigan Department of State Special Services Branch [redacted] Crowner Drive Lansing, MI [redacted] Phone: [redacted] Fax: [redacted] Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to address an issue I encountered while attempting to renew my Michigan driver's license online. The system indicated that I am not eligible to renew through the mail or online. Consequently, I was advised to contact The Michigan Department of State Special Services Branch for assistance. Currently residing in Virginia, I am unable to transfer my license or schedule an appointment there without renewing my Michigan license first. Despite reaching out via email approximately one month ago, I have not received a response from the Department of State. Due to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the significant distance between Virginia and Michigan, I kindly request an extension to either visit in person or complete the renewal process online. I am reachable at [redacted] or [redacted], and my cell number is [redacted]. This request is crucial as I commute daily from Virginia to DC and am currently out of state. Thank you for your attention and assistance. Sincerely, Christopher D. Stevens

I have some helpful information for contacting the Michigan Secretary of State. The correct phone number to reach them is [redacted]. When you call, make sure not to press 0 right away, as it may result in the call being disconnected. Instead, follow the prompts patiently. Here is a breakdown of the steps I followed to reach a representative in about 4 minutes: 1. Call the number and listen to the first prompt. 2. Press 5 for vehicle-related inquiries (there are 7 initial prompts). 3. After pressing 5, a new menu with 3 options appears, push 1. 4. In the next menu with 5 options, press 2 for vehicle renewal. 5. Listen to the renewal information, and at the end, you can press 0 for customer service. Remember, they have long wait times, so consider using the call back option. If you miss their call back, you will need to start the process over again, as they will not try again. Avoid pressing numbers before the prompts start to ensure you do not get redirected.

I need assistance with obtaining a Michigan ID. I visited the Rogers Plaza location in Wyoming. I heard complaints about multiple visits being part of the process in Michigan. I moved from Florida and brought 15 documents with me to avoid additional trips. When I presented my Florida marriage license, I was informed it needed a raised seal, which led to ordering a new one that arrived as a copy without a seal. I am uncertain about the next steps. I had a negative experience at the SOS office and faced challenges with the staff. It's frustrating when employees seem to enjoy sending people back repeatedly. I hope for guidance on what to do next.

I paid online to renew my license, but I haven't received it yet. I've reached out via email twice, only to receive generic responses. Every time I try to book an in-person appointment, it says there are no slots available. When I visited the office in person seeking help, the staff were unhelpful and unfriendly.

I am currently out of state and I completed the renewal and payment for my Michigan state ID online in the second week of May [redacted]. However, I have not received any updates yet. Despite sending around 3 to 4 emails, I keep receiving the same response explaining that they are behind due to returning to work recently. The website suggests monitoring when the payment is processed on my card to estimate when the ID will be sent, typically about 30 days later. While they deducted the payment promptly, I am still waiting for the ID to arrive. I acknowledge the current challenging situation but I am eager to know when I can expect to receive my ID.

I am Dr. Lecter L. Hyder, Jr., and I am looking to renew my driver's license by December 13, [redacted], which coincides with my upcoming birth date. Due to being in a high-risk group for COVID-19 at the age of 75, with adult asthma, my doctors have advised me against entering enclosed public spaces with individuals outside of my immediate household. Therefore, I kindly request the possibility of renewing my license by mail, enclosing the completed application along with the required $18 fee. I am willing to provide any further identification information once the situation stabilizes or when the vaccine is accessible to the general public or at a time designated appropriate by the Secretary of State. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Hello, my name is Charles Garvin. I have successfully completed most of my driver's tests, but the examiner requested a report from my eye doctor, which was sent to your department months ago. However, I still have not received my appointment for the "driver assessment reexamination." I have contacted the Secretary of State office at [redacted] N. Maple Road in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but after being transferred to the extension for driver assessment reexamination, I was unable to reach anyone. I have been trying to confirm if my appointment notice was lost in the mail. I would appreciate it if you could provide me with information regarding when my return for the assessment will be scheduled. Thank you. Charles Garvin.

I attempted to renew my driver's license online but was informed I'm ineligible. I am currently out of state in the western region and will be away for a few months, with my license set to expire during this time. Additionally, I am unable to renew my vehicle's license plates as my account is linked to an old email I no longer have access to, preventing me from resetting my login information. In summary, I am facing challenges renewing both my driver's license and vehicle registration, with no success contacting anyone by phone. Assistance in completing these renewals is needed. My driver's license number is S[redacted]25, and my license plate numbers are DZJ3199 for a [redacted] Ford F250 and MA712 for a [redacted] Harley Davidson. Any help provided would be greatly appreciated. You can reach me at [redacted]. - A. L. Sampson

While traveling from Michigan to California, I realized that my driver's license was missing. I will be staying in California until Spring. I attempted to apply for a replacement driver's license online but was asked for my driver's license number, which I don't have since it was lost. I submitted requests on November 7 and November 23 through the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) website, but I have yet to receive any response. Attempts to contact them via phone resulted in automated messages or being disconnected due to busyness. How should I proceed with resolving this issue?

I misplaced my Michigan driver's license during my trip to California and won't be back until Spring. However, I am having trouble applying for a replacement online because I need to provide my lost driver's license number. Despite submitting requests twice through the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) website in November, I haven't received any response. When attempting to call for assistance, I encounter difficulties such as automated messages, disconnections, or being unable to speak with a representative. How should I proceed in this situation?

As a veteran, I've been struggling for three days to add my veteran designation to my license. I attempted to schedule an appointment online multiple times, only to find out each time that the slot was no longer available. After trying until 12:10, I reached out to complain and secure an appointment, but the call ended abruptly. When I visited the SOS office in person, the greeter was unhelpful and implied I was a slow typer. All I seek is to have my veterans designation on my license, considering the sacrifices I've made. The difficulty in accessing assistance and the dismissive treatment by the SOS office is disheartening. I am doubtful that this email will lead to a resolution.

I purchased a vehicle from a Michigan resident, but received an Illinois signed title instead. The Illinois DMV said it is titled in Michigan, but the seller cannot obtain the Michigan title. He mentioned filing for a new copy from the Secretary of State, but there have been delays. My plates expired in May, and I am unable to title the truck in Illinois. I have an Illinois title with the correct VIN, but it seems to be outdated. Any guidance is appreciated. Thank you, Corinne D.