County License Center In Woodbury Now Accepts MasterCard, Discover

The Washington County license centers in Stillwater, Woodbury and Forest Lake began accepting MasterCard and Discover credit and debit cards as payment for services Monday, June 13.

“We knew that customers wanted to be able to use credit and debit cards for purchases in our centers, but because of credit industry rules and the cost of accepting credit and debit cards, it was not feasible," Kevin Corbid, director of the county’s Department of Property Records and Taxpayer Services, said in a release. “MasterCard and Discover now allow for a convenience fee to be paid by the customer, and the State of Minnesota recently entered into a contract with U.S. Bank to process these payments on behalf of all deputy registrars and license center operations within the state.”

Customers who wish to use their MasterCard or Discover credit or debit cards must agree to pay a 2.45 percent fee in addition to the cost of the original transaction or service. (No convenience fee is added if paying with cash or personal check.) Customers will be asked to confirm their willingness to pay the convenience fee prior to completing the transaction, according to the release.

The license centers are not able to accept Visa credit or debit cards at this time. Visa rules do not allow the addition of the convenience fee on these types of transactions and therefore cannot be accepted.

“While this is a not the best solution for offering additional payment methods for our customers, it is the best and only option currently available to us,” said Corbid. “I am hopeful that in the future we are able to accept Visa cards as well, and may be able to accept credit and debit cards without charging an additional transaction fee.”

The service centers are at Valley Ridge Mall, 1520 W. Frontage Road in Stillwater; 2150 Radio Drive in Woodbury; and 19955 Forest Road N. in Forest Lake.

The three license centers offer services including motor vehicle tab renewals, title transfers, and driver’s license applications and renewals.

The county license centers still accept cash and personal checks, and an ATM is available at each location.

Customers with any questions regarding the payment options in the license centers may call the Department of Property Records and Taxpayer Services at 651-430-6175.