Secretary of State branch office moving back to renovated Dowagiac location

Published 8:59 am Friday, September 6, 2019

DOWAGIAC — With renovations complete, the Secretary of State branch office will be moving back to its Dowagiac location after being temporarily housed this summer at the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District in Cassopolis.

The temporary office at the school district, 61682 Dailey Road, will close at 5 p.m. Friday. During a weeklong closure, office equipment and furniture will be moved from Cassopolis back to Dowagiac, and phone lines, electrical and IT services will be reconnected. The office at 601 N. Front St. will reopen for business at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16.

Secretary of State services had relocated to Cassopolis in June while the Dowagiac office building underwent extensive renovations, including repairs to the roof. The office’s exterior and interior have been remodeled. The lobby and counters also have been reconfigured to provide more room for customer seating.

During the weeklong closure, customers are encouraged to complete their transactions online at ExpressSOS.com or visit another branch office, said secretary of state officials. The ability to schedule appointments has been extended to all Secretary of State offices, and the Dowagiac branch will begin providing this service when it reopens.

Most license plate types can be ordered or renewed at ExpressSOS.com. Driver’s license permits and registrations for vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles or watercraft may be printed allowing motorists to drive legally until they get their renewed driver’s license or plate and tab in the mail. Additionally, customers may order a duplicate registration or title, change their address and register to be an organ donor on the website.

Residents needing services during the relocation may visit these Secretary of State offices:

• Niles — 110 E. Main St.

• Benton Harbor — 1960 Mall Dr.

• Paw Paw — 32849 Red Arrow Hwy.

Hours for all three branches are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Services include instant titles, commercial driver license and mechanic testing, and self-service kiosks for renewing license plates. The Benton Harbor kiosk is open 24/7.