The Michigan Department of State accepts no responsibility and disclaims any and all liability that may occur through the use of any translations made by a third-party application or browser. The use of any third-party service shall be at the user’s sole risk. Information related to third-party services are provided as a convenience only.
Safari offers browser translation in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Apple devices with operating systems older than IOS 14.0, will not include this feature. Download the Google Translate app or Microsoft Translator app to your device to access translations.
The following branch offices offer over-the-phone interpretation services. You will be able to request this service at the time of your appointment. Advance notice or request for an interpreter is not necessary. For support or assistance, please email MDOS-Access@Michigan.gov.
If you need to take a test, attend a license reinstatement hearing, or complete a license reexamination, you must use an interpreter who is authorized by the Michigan Department of State prior to your scheduled appointment.
You can ask anyone to interpret on your behalf for all other Secretary of State services and office visits.
Information about approved permanent interpreters is available by calling 888-SOS-MICH (888-767-6424) or by visiting a Secretary of State office.
Interpreters on this list are approved to provide service at specific Secretary of State offices and are prohibited from charging a fee.
To request a copy of the pre-approved interpreters list, visit a Secretary of State office or email MDOS-Access@Michigan.gov.
If you’d like to have someone interpret on your behalf for a test, hearing, or reexamination, they will need to submit an application to serve as a one-time interpreter. Your one-time interpreter must be authorized by the Department prior to your scheduled visit and can only provide interpretation for your test, hearing, or reexamination.
To apply to be a one-time interpreter, an individual must:
Mail, fax or email all required documents to:
Michigan Department of State
Enforcement Division
P.O. Box 30708
Lansing, MI 48909
Fax: 517-335-3241
Email: SOS-OIS@Michigan.gov
Once the department has reviewed the application, staff will contact the applicant to inform them when they are approved to provide one-time interpreter services.
All Secretary of State offices offer translated testing for driver knowledge exams in the following languages:
The chauffeur’s, moped, motorcycle, and recreational (Double R) endorsement tests are also offered in the following languages at Secretary of State offices:
Many transactions may now be completed online, including renewal of a vehicle license plate, driver’s license or state ID renewal, and duplicate title request. By using an auto-translate feature on your browser, you can access our website and complete online transactions in your preferred language. Visit the previous page to view instructions for auto-translation of the Department of State website.
Go to Online Services
Visit a self-service station to renew your vehicle registration, tab, and license plate or renew your license or ID, if a new photo is not required. All 160 Secretary of State self-service stations offer translated service in the following languages:
A $3.95 service fee will be charged for each item transacted at a self-service station.
Most Secretary of State transactions can be completed online or by mail. Many driver’s license and ID transactions and most vehicle tab renewal transactions can be done at a self-service station. If you are required to visit a Secretary of State office, it is strongly encouraged that you schedule an office visit. Visits can be scheduled up to six months in advance or for the next day. Thousands of office visits are made available every business day (Monday-Friday) at 8 a.m. and noon for the next business day.
To schedule a visit online in your preferred language, make sure you are using a browser that offers an auto-translate feature. Or, schedule an office visit by calling 888-SOS-MICH (888-767-6424).
Schedule an office visit
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By using a browser featuring an auto-translate feature, you can check your voter registration status at Michigan.gov/Vote.
You can register to vote online (with a Michigan license and ID number) or by mail up to 2 weeks before Election Day. You can also register in person at your local clerk’s office at any time before and up to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
You don’t need a Michigan license or ID to register to vote by mail or at your local clerk’s office and can provide the last four digits of your Social Security number instead.
Please note that within 14-days of an election, you must register in-person at your clerk’s office with proof-of-residency.
Register online: Use a browser with an auto-translate feature to access online voter registration in your preferred language at Michigan.gov/Vote.
You can register online if:
If you register online within 14 days of an election or on election day, you will not be eligible to vote in that election. Online registration is prohibited within 10 days of updating your ID or driver's license.
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Register using a printable registration form: You may register to vote using a translated, printable voter registration form. You can register using a printed registration form if:
Printable voter registration form
Register at a self-service station: Self-Service Stations offer voter registration transactions in non-English languages. View the Self-Service Station section of this web-page for more information.
Register in person at your clerk's office: You can visit your local clerk's office to register to vote in-person. Within 14-days of an Election, you must register in-person at your local clerk's office and must present proof of residency. Proof of residency is an official document listing your full name and current address, and may include a bank statement, a valid MI driver's license or ID, a lease, or a utility bill.
Locate your local clerk
To cast a vote in an election, you must be:
You have the right to a secret ballot. As a Michigan voter, you can request and vote by absentee ballot in any election without providing a reason.
Every registered voter in Michigan can vote using an absentee ballot. To request an absentee ballot, you must complete and submit an Absentee Ballot Application.
Options for completing an Absentee Voter Ballot Application:
Completed applications must be received by your designated clerk via mail, email or dropped off in-person by 5:00 p.m. the Friday before Election Day.
After submitting a completed application, a ballot will be mailed to your address. Your absentee ballot may also be issued in-person while visiting your designated local clerk’s office within 40 days of election day.
Return your completed absentee ballot to your designated absentee ballot dropbox or by hand to your city, township, or village clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Pre-paid return postage is provided for easy and no-cost ballot return.
Options for returning a completed absent voter ballot:
Every registered voter in Michigan can vote using an absentee ballot. To request an absentee ballot, you must complete and submit an Absentee Ballot Application.
Options for completing an Absentee Voter Ballot Application:
Completed applications must be received by your designated clerk via mail, email or dropped off in-person by 5:00 p.m. the Friday before Election Day.
After submitting a completed application, a ballot will be mailed to your address. Your absentee ballot may also be issued in-person while visiting your designated local clerk’s office within 40 days of election day.
Return your completed absentee ballot to your designated absentee ballot dropbox or by hand to your city, township, or village clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Pre-paid return postage is provided for easy and no-cost ballot return.
Options for returning a completed absent voter ballot:
Printable AV ballot application
Find your Local clerk and dropbox location
Michigan voters have the right to cast a ballot early and in person at an early voting site before Election Day.
Early voting will be available beginning with the presidential primary in 2024 and every statewide and federal election thereafter.
As a registered Michigan voter, you have the right to bring an interpreter with you to your early voting site. You can ask anyone to serve as an interpreter, except for the following individuals:
The early voting period takes place for a minimum of nine consecutive days, ending on the Sunday before an election. Communities may decide to provide additional days of early voting, up to 29 days total.
Early voting sites must be open for at least eight hours each day during the early voting period.
Early voting is offered for all statewide and federal elections. Communities may also choose to provide early voting for local elections.
Early voting site locations, dates, and hours are available 60 days prior to Election Day at Michigan.gov/Vote.
Voters can visit an early voting site in their area to cast a ballot in person during the early voting period. An early voting site is like a polling place where voters can cast a ballot prior to Election Day, during the early voting period. Voters from more than one precinct, city, or township may be assigned to a single, shared early voting site.
Voters can look up their assigned early voting site(s) up to 60 days prior to Election Day at Michigan.gov/Vote.
You can vote in person on Election Day at your designated polling place. Polls are open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. for every election. If you are in line to vote at 8 p.m. when polls close, you can still vote and are encouraged to stay in line to receive your ballot.
As a registered Michigan voter, you have the right to bring an interpreter with you to the polls. You can ask anyone to serve as an interpreter, unless they are someone who could influence your vote. Your interpreter can’t be:
To find your polling place, visit Michigan.gov/Vote.
By using a browser featuring an auto-translate feature, you can check your voter registration status at Michigan.gov/Vote.
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Voters have the right to cast a ballot without intimidation. It is illegal to interfere with a voter’s right to cast a ballot. Use the Election Protection Hotline to report voter intimidation.
Voter intimidation may include, but is not limited to:
If you experience any issues casting your ballot on or before Election Day, or if you have questions about the voting process, contact the Election Protection Hotline for assistance:
If you vote in Clyde Township, Covert Township, or the City of Fennville, you have the right to a ballot and election materials in Spanish.
If you vote in the City of Hamtramck, you have the right to a ballot and election materials in Bengali.
If you vote in the City of Hamtramck or the City of Dearborn, you have the right to a ballot and election materials in Arabic.
If you do not read or write English and a ballot is not available in your language, you have the right to assistance from anyone you choose. However, the person cannot be:
The following communities provide translated election materials in specific languages:
As a registered Michigan voter, you have the right to bring an interpreter with you to the polls. Review “Your voting rights” earlier on this page for more information.
If you experience any issues casting your ballot on or before Election Day, contact the Election Protection Hotline for assistance:
Search through translated election resources and materials using the Forms and Publications menu. Select your preferred language using the Language to filter view all translated documents.
Forms & publications
To request a translated document, please email MDOS-Access@Michigan.gov. Please include the following information in your emailed request:
