County License Centers Now Accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card

From Washington County:

Washington County license centers are now able to accept Visa debit and credit cards for payment for services at the centers. Previously, the centers were only able to take MasterCard and Discover Cards, personal checks and cash.

In 2011, the State of Minnesota entered into a contract with US Bank to process credit and debit cards on behalf of all deputy registrars and license centers operations within the state. At that time, Visa’s rules regarding allowing convenience fees to be charged by merchants prevented it from being part of the state contract; therefore, license centers were not able to accept Visa. A recent court settlement involving all the major credit card companies has changed those rules and Visa has now been added as an allowable form of payment under the state contract.

Individuals using a credit card for license center transactions pay a 2.45 percent convenience fee in addition to the cost of the original transaction or service. For example, a convenience fee of 62 cents would be added to a typical driver’s license renewal costing $25.50 or a $4.90 fee would be added to a $200 motor vehicle license renewal. No additional fees are added if customers pay by personal check or with cash.

Washington County license centers accept applications for new driver’s licenses, driver’s license renewals, motor vehicle registration and renewal, title transfers, game and fish licenses, and park permits, as well as other county services. A full list of services can be found on the Washington County website at www.co.washington.mn.us.

Washington County has three license centers at:

• Forest Lake License Center, 19955 Forest Lake Road N., Forest Lake, 651-275-7333;
• Stillwater License Center, Valley Ridge Mall, 1520 West Frontage Road, Stillwater, 651-275-7000;
• Woodbury License Center, 2150 Radio Drive, Woodbury, 651-275-8600.