Anoka County License and Passport Services to Operate on Reduced Schedule for Christmas Holiday

Anoka County residents planning year end transactions for licenses, vehicle tabs, or passports will encounter modified hours as county offices adjust their schedules for the Christmas holiday.

County officials announced that all Anoka County License and Passport Services locations will operate with reduced hours on Wednesday, December 24. Offices will open at 8:30 a.m. and close at 12:00 p.m. in observance of Christmas Eve. All locations will be closed the following day, Thursday, December 25, for Christmas Day. Normal business hours will resume Friday, December 26.

The adjusted schedule follows longstanding county policy that calls for a noon closure when Christmas Eve falls on a weekday between Monday and Thursday. The county applies the policy uniformly across its government offices, including the network of License and Passport Centers that serve thousands of residents each month.

Outside the holiday period, standard hours for most License Centers are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. All centers are closed on weekends.

Range of Available Services

Anoka County's License and Passport Centers provide a wide array of services that typically draw high demand ahead of holiday closures. These include:

Motor Vehicle Services: Registration tab renewals, titles and transfers, duplicate registration or plates, and specialized license plates.

Driver's License and State ID Services: Renewals, replacements, address or name changes, and initial license or ID applications.

DNR Registration: Watercraft, ATV, ORV, OHM, and snowmobile registration.

Passport Services: The county processes passport applications and provides passport photos, with services concentrated primarily at the Coon Rapids Passport Center.

The Coon Rapids Passport Center is the only location in Anoka County that currently accepts new passport applications. Federal requirements mandate that passport processing be separated from the issuance of driver's licenses and birth certificates, so customers should plan accordingly. Appointments are strongly encouraged, especially during peak travel seasons.

Preparing for the Holiday Schedule

Residents who anticipate visiting a License or Passport Center on December 24 are encouraged to arrive early and bring all required documents to avoid delays. The shortened window on Christmas Eve often results in increased morning traffic as people finalize pre holiday transactions.

For services such as standard motor vehicle tab renewals, online and drop box options remain available. However, in person visits are still required for passport applications, Real ID or Enhanced ID processing, and certain title and licensing transactions.

Additional details on locations, services, and appointment scheduling are available on the Anoka County official website or through the License and Passport Call Center at 763 324 2100.

MinneapoliMedia