AUGUSTA – The towns of Belfast and Dexter have launched Rapid Renewal, the Department of the Secretary of State’s online service for renewal of motor vehicle registrations. Residents of both towns join hundreds of thousands of Maine residents who can renew vehicle registrations online at any time of the day from homes or office.

“Belfast and Dexter join a long and still-growing list of Maine communities choosing to provide their residents with the convenience of Rapid Renewal,” said Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap. “I encourage nonparticipating towns to follow their lead. As budget-conscious municipal leaders seek new ways to provide efficient and convenient services, I’m confident Rapid Renewal will eventually become available to everyone who wishes to use it.”

Rapid Renewal, a groundbreaking e-commerce service allowing residents to conduct business with municipal government and state government in one seamless online transaction, has gained national acclaim and has been embraced by Mainers. While municipal participation in Rapid Renewal is optional, the service has grown to include more than 127 municipalities, and nearly 350,000 transactions have been processed.

Municipalities offering Rapid Renewal comprise more than 65 percent of Maine’s population. The service is being offered by cities and towns from York County to Aroostook County, with populations ranging from Glenwood Plantation’s two residents to more than 64,000 in Portland. Through Rapid Renewal, residents are able to renew vehicle registrations and pay municipal excise taxes online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Rapid Renewal may be found at www.sosonline.org, the secretary of state’s site for online services. Municipal officials who would like more information about participating in Rapid Renewal and offering this service to residents in their community may contact the Department of the Secretary of State at 626-8400 or sos.office@maine.gov.