Business hours for the License Center located at the Stearns County Service Center in Waite Park will change on Monday,
Feb. 13. The new lobby hours will be 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and the drive-thru 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The drive-thru has opened at 7:30 a.m., a half-hour earlier during the pandemic to serve additional customers while offices were closed. Opening the drive-thru at 7:30 a.m. is no longer needed as customers are going back into the lobby to receive in-person services. Lobby hours have been 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Opening the lobby at 8 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m. prevents a backlog of customers at the beginning of the day. Closing at 4:30 p.m. aligns with the County’s business hours.
The drive-thru services at License Center West include motor vehicle and DNR renewals, and disability certificates. Both -Stearns County License Centers offer the following walk-in or appointment services: motor vehicle and DNR transfers and renewals, driver’s license and state ID’s, disability parking certificates, marriage license and certificates, birth and death certificates, and notary and ordination filing. Appointments receive priority service.
Additionally, services can be conducted online through the County’s Virtual License Center at StearnsCountyMN.gov, including motor vehicle and DNR renewals; marriage, birth, and death certificates; and notary, and ordination filings.
Randy Schreifels, County -Auditor-Treasurer, would like to remind Stearns County residents that the federal REAL ID deadline has been extended until May 7, 2025. REAL ID allows people to board a plane, enter a secure federal building, or visit a military base. Doing a pre-application at Drive.MN.Gov for the REAL ID can save the applicant time, and help avoid multiple trips by identifying the right documents needed to comply with the requirements.
The Service Center and drive-thru is located at 3301 Co. Rd. 138 in Waite Park. The License Center can be reached at (320) 656-6540 or by email at lc@co.stearns.mn.us. Appointment booking and the online License Center can be found at StearnsCountyMN.gov.