Secretary of State – Troy office

Typical SOS office. I waited forever, mid day on a Thursday just to renew my tabs. Staff was nice but there was not enough of them. The new number system was confusing. If you can avoid going into and SOS I would do as much as you can online.

Very impressed with this branch.
To set this scene:
–This was my first time renewing my license tag; I bought a new car last year, and before that, had been using my parents’ car, a ’99 Honda.
–I haven’t had to go to a SOS office in like 8 years to renew my license because every other time (ie, once every 8 years) you can renew online, so that’s what I did 4 years ago.
–My only other SOS office experience has been w/​the WB office, which is always a nightmare + long waits.
So I thought I was being all smart by reserving an appt. time online … but when I got there, it ended up being for TOMORROW. Oops. However, I was lucky, and it was only about a 3 minute wait. I was in and out in about 15 minutes, and back to my office within 45 minutes of having left it (including a 10 – 15 min drive each way).
I will say the first person I encountered (the person who assigns you a number) was a little brusque, but the lady who helped me renew everything was very nice. ALSO, the last time I had been to a SOS office, it was deli-​counter style — ie, you would get there, get a number, and then wait for your turn. Nowadays, however, it’s all done by your phone number — so when the last 4 digits of my number were called, I knew it was my turn.
I’m glad this is the closest SOS office to me now, definitely beats the WB location.
ALSO: if you are paying with a credit card, there is a 2% fee. So for me ($ 18 license + $ 110 tags) it would have been like $ 2.50-ish … but still. Just bring cash or your checkbook and save yourself some money.
{and side note … this is the first time I’ll have the correct address on the FRONT of my license in … forever! Unless I move next year, which I might. So at least for a few months, anyways.}

I renewed my registration last June 2015 and had to show them my proof of insurance. I went to FedEx/​Kinkos, printed out a copy of my insurance cards and handed it to the employee working at this branch. I just received a letter from the state saying that they are going to cancel my license plate and registration because I failed to provide valid proof of insurance. What?

Stup

Nice office but this wait is terrible
Been 2 hours
Everyone has an online appt
Or return slips
While the whole waiting area is full
5 windows out of 10 are open

I don’t care about the wait times. I know that most SoS locations will have long lines. Yes, they do what you need, but some of those workers are seriously incompetent.
When I asked one lady a straight-​forward question regarding information I saw on the state’s DMV website, she gave me a blank stare and just said, «you’re not going to be saving money if that’s what you’re asking», even though that had NOTHING to do with my question at all. Another time a lady told me I could cross the border while waiting for my enhanced license to arrive. I called border patrol and they said that’s not the case. Where do they find these workers?!

You know those locations where they seem like they will do anything to prevent you from getting things done? sending you away 3 times and each time asking you for a new, different paper to bring? even though you know they could just go ahead and help you?
Well after a week of not being able to renew my license with changed address in any SoS location here they helped me on the spot with no hassle at all.
They really want to be efficient and allow you to get things done.
They have extended hours too! most locations are open till 5 while this one seem to operate till 7
Great people, I highly recommend them

Had to renew my registration and was very pleased to be able to use the text service to eliminate a good amount of waiting time. Definitely made the process a lot less painful than usual. The staff are generally very nice and helpful as well.

WOW! What more can I say. Texted our place in line for new license, in and out in 8 minutes!!!

Get in line via call/​text before you go!
Excellent experience (on my second try). On Monday, I popped in, saw the crowds and got the heck out of there — but saw a sign about getting in line by phone/​text. I did a little poking around on the SOS website, and the second time around I used the SOS call ahead service to get in line. You call (or text) and enter prompts to indicate how many services you need, what services, etc. The system puts you in line (your place is tied to your phone number), tells you how many people are in front of you and the expected wait time. I showed up when I had ~10 min left in line, and was in and out in under 10 min for a license renewal. Just show up, take a seat, and watch the boards that scroll through the last 4 digits of the phone numbers ahead of you. You’ll be called by the last 4 of your phone number.
Note, the ATM seems to be out of service, so bring cash if you’d like to avoid the small 2 or 3% service fee to pay by credit card. I didn’t ask if I could pay by check.
Here’s a list of Mich SOS locations with call-​ahead wait in line service:
. It’s worth it to go to one of these locations if you can. For this location on Long Lake, call 248−928−1227 or text «eoaklandsos» to 248−918−0527 to get in line.

Why does SOS open at 9? It should open at 7:30am, we have work people! I got here at 8:15, was able to sit in my car until 8:30 before having to stand online. There is an app now that lets you check in! Download it :)

Very friendly and efficient staff. There’s an overhead display that notes your spot in line and estimated wait time — they also send text notifications! I went in to get a new plate and was out the door in 15 minutes, made my day. I wish the DMVs in NYC were more like this.

First time to this SOS. Decided to ditch the horrible SOS that’s closer to me on Orchard Lake in West Bloomfield, Michigan because they’re so awful. No wonder why they have a one star in Unilocal.I was completely surprised at how good this SOS branch in Troy is. In and out on a Wednesday afternoon in under 15 minutes. Completely streamlined and even have a text function that notifies you of where you stand in line. Amazing! Never thought I’d say that about a Secretary of State office. Great job!!!

New technology is still a work in progress. Biggest take away– they want everybody to schedule an appointment as walk-​ins are going to be punished/​abused.

I agree with Guy on this one… I have a hard time giving SoS 4 stars. 3 stars is really good, all things considered! Usually SoS is a nightmare. I always dread it.
I’ve been here a few times since we moved to Royal Oak. My last visit was the longest I’ve ever had to wait, which was maybe 10 – 15 minutes. The parking lot is never too crazy. They sort of have a line to get in line. Instead of getting a number from a stand, and risking the possibility of someone pulling a bunch by accident, the person at the desk asks you what you’re there for. Then you’ll be directed to take a number or maybe not. The staff moves through the numbers pretty quickly. The funny, not-​so-​funny moment during my last visit was when they skipped my number. I was patiently waiting, no phone distraction as I heard different clerks call, «42…43…44…46…» WAIT?! WHAT?! No one called my number. I was having a bad morning, so this didn’t help. Fortunately, I am able to find humor in it now.
As mentioned, no Visa. Only Discover or Mastercard, but they do have an ATM there.

Since the 13/​Woodward SoS location closed, I drive up to this branch instead of the Oak Park location. So far, the last few reasons I’ve had to visit the SoS have allowed me to use the self-​serve kiosk (if I couldn’t online/​mail renew), and I give this location a thumbs-​up over the Oak Park location (which is closer to my home) simply because their mini-​lobby (where the kiosk is located) is a little bit bigger. You know how you don’t want some stranger peering over your shoulder as you peck in your PIN number at the grocery? Yeah, same concept.
Even though I haven’t had to go in for a number and sit and wait since… ummmm…umpty-several years ago when I first got my driver’s license, this lot never seems full. And unlike the Oak Park location, I’ve never had the self-​serve kiosk give me a WAH-​WAH SORRY BROKEN BUH-​BYE message.
Spare yourself the headache, plan a little extra driving time in, and go here. You won’t regret it.

Stop complaining that you have to wait in huge lines at the SoS, and just come here. Seriously. The longest I’ve ever waited was an hour when the entire room was packed to the gills. Seriously, like 50 people ahead of me. This place is very efficient and if you go at the right time, your wait will be right around the 15 minute mark. The staff here is fantastic and very courteous, they keep that line moving the best they can. Seriously, this is the best SoS office this side of Michigan.

I have had to utilize this branch twice since moving to the area, and each time was an unexpected surprise!
I think it’s customary for everyone to hate the DMV/​SOS because it usually takes way longer than it should to do anything and the reps are usually tired /​bitter /​frustrating /​unhelpful /​etc. (or at least that’s the reputation), so I was not looking forward to the day I had to go in.
So imagine my surprise when, the first time I went, I was in and out in under 10 minutes! And the woman was SO nice and SO helpful (she saved me $ 120 by suggesting something that hadn’t occurred to me) that it was actually a very pleasant experience. The second time I went it was much the same: I was in and out in under 10 minutes and half of that was waiting in line! Again, the teller was super nice and very efficient.
Of course, in both instances it probably also helped that that I was there when they opened and was one of the first five people in line [and the tellers were still fresh] but I don’t care. It was still a great experience and I will gladly be there the moment they open if it gets results like I’ve gotten.

After a horrendous experience at the Royal Oak branch, I went to the Troy office hoping for something better.
My tabs expired at the end of June, and even though I renewed on the web a month ago, my tabs still had not arrived, so I had to make an office visit, as much as I didn’t want to.
I got there around 11am on Thursday and walked in to find maybe 20 – 25 people there. I waited in the «information» line and Rita helped me. I first explained to her how badly I was treated both on the phone and at the Royal Oak office (which sadly, didn’t seem to surprise her). She was appalled at everything the other clerk told me, and how long the wait would have been, and everything. She gave me a number, said she had 4 people in line to get through, but she’d call me.
When she did, she first apologized for taking so long (it was about 20 minutes total, not long at all for a SOS visit!) and she was the most pleasant person I have EVER dealt with at any of their offices. She got everything processed in under 5 minutes, once again apologized for everything I had been through and sent me on my way. I asked her where to send a letter to compliment her on her stellar service and she directed me to the comment cards, which I happily filled out.
Exceptional customer service from that one!