Mississippi Issues Driver Licenses at 49 County Clerk Offices

Your driver license is issued by the county clerk's office in the county where you live, not by a central state office. Mississippi has 82 counties, but driver license services are available at 49 designated clerk locations across the state. You cannot get a license at every county clerk's office — only at the ones that have been set up to handle driver license transactions.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety maintains the list of which clerk offices issue licenses. If your county does not have a clerk office that issues licenses, you will need to go to the nearest county that does. Some rural counties share a single licensing location, so the office may not be in your home county.

You can find your county clerk's office location and hours on the Mississippi Secretary of State website or by calling the county clerk directly. Hours vary by location, and some offices close for lunch or operate on limited schedules, so calling ahead is worth the time.

Key Takeaways

  • Driver licenses are issued only at 49 designated county clerk offices across Mississippi, not at all 82 county seats.
  • You must go to the clerk office in or nearest to the county where you live; you cannot use a clerk office in a different county unless you have moved.
  • Hours and services vary by location, so contact your county clerk before you go to confirm they are open and have the service you need.
  • Bring your Social Security number, proof of residency, and proof of identity — the specific documents depend on whether you are renewing, replacing, or getting a license for the first time.

Finding Your County Clerk Office Location

Start by identifying which county you live in. If you know your county, you can search the Mississippi Secretary of State website for the clerk office address and phone number. The website lists all 49 locations that handle driver license services.

If your county does not have a clerk office that issues licenses, the Secretary of State website will direct you to the nearest office that does. Some counties in rural areas have partnered with neighboring counties, so you may need to travel to an adjacent county. Call ahead to confirm the office is open and has the service you need — some locations handle renewals but not new licenses, or vice versa.

Many clerk offices now allow you to schedule an appointment online or by phone. Scheduling is not required everywhere, but it can reduce your wait time, especially in larger counties. Check your county clerk's website or call to see if appointments are available.

Documents You Need at the County Clerk Office

The documents you bring depend on whether you are getting a new license, renewing an existing one, or replacing a lost or damaged license. All applicants must bring proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. The clerk office will not accept all forms of these documents — only specific ones.

Proof of identity can be a passport, military ID, or certified birth certificate. A school ID, work ID, or expired driver license is not acceptable. Proof of Social Security number can be your Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form. A tax return or bank statement with your Social Security number is not acceptable. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail addressed to you at your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

If you are renewing or replacing a license, bring your current or expired license if you have it. If you are getting a license for the first time, you do not need a previous license. If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Fees and Payment Methods at the Clerk Office

Driver license fees are set by Mississippi state law and are the same at every county clerk office. A new license costs one amount; a renewal costs a different amount; a replacement for a lost or damaged license costs a third amount. Fees change periodically, so call your county clerk office to confirm the current fee before you go.

County clerk offices accept cash and check. Some offices also accept debit or credit card, but this varies by location. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods your clerk office accepts. If you pay by check, make it payable to the county clerk's office, not to the state.

You will receive your license at the clerk office on the day you explore, unless the office needs to verify information with the state. In that case, the office will mail your license to you within 7 to 10 business days. Ask the clerk which situation applies to you before you leave.

What Happens If Your County Has No Clerk Office

If your county does not have a clerk office that issues driver licenses, you have two options: go to the nearest county that does, or contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to ask about mobile licensing units or temporary solutions.

The Department of Public Safety occasionally sends mobile licensing units to rural counties on a scheduled basis. These units are temporary and operate on a limited schedule, so you cannot rely on them for a specific date. Call the Department of Public Safety at the number listed on the state website to ask if a mobile unit will visit your area and when.

If no mobile unit is scheduled, you will need to travel to the nearest county clerk office that issues licenses. This may be 30 to 60 miles away depending on where you live. Some people in rural counties plan their trip around other business in the neighboring county to make the drive worthwhile.

Changing Your Address at the Clerk Office

If you have moved to a different county in Mississippi, you must go to the clerk office in your new county to update your address. You cannot update your address at the clerk office in your old county. Bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days.

Updating your address is usually faster than getting a new license. The clerk office will issue you a new license with your updated address on the same day. The fee for an address change is lower than the fee for a full renewal, so ask the clerk what you will be charged.

If you have moved out of state, you do not need to update your Mississippi license. Your out-of-state license remains valid until it expires. If you move back to Mississippi, you will need to get a new Mississippi license at your new county clerk office.

Hours, Wait Times, and Scheduling Tips

County clerk offices in Mississippi operate during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but hours vary by location. Some offices close for lunch between noon and 1 p.m. A few offices in larger counties stay open until 6 p.m. on certain days. Check your county clerk's website or call to confirm hours before you go.

Wait times depend on the day of the week and the time of day. Mornings are usually less crowded than afternoons. Mondays and Fridays tend to be busier than mid-week days. If your clerk office offers online scheduling, book an appointment to avoid a long wait. If appointments are not available, go early in the morning or mid-week to reduce your wait time.

Bring all required documents in one trip. If you forget a document, the clerk office will not issue your license, and you will have to return another day. Double-check the list of acceptable documents before you go, because the clerk office cannot accept substitutes or expired forms of ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a driver license at any county clerk office in Mississippi?

No. Only 49 of Mississippi's 82 county clerk offices issue driver licenses. You must go to the clerk office in your county or the nearest county that offers the service. Call the Mississippi Secretary of State or your county clerk to find out which office serves your area.

What if I live in a county with no clerk office that issues licenses?

You will need to travel to the nearest county that does issue licenses. The Department of Public Safety occasionally sends mobile licensing units to rural counties, but these are not scheduled regularly. Call the Department of Public Safety to ask if a mobile unit will visit your area.

Do I need an appointment to get a driver license at the clerk office?

Appointments are not required everywhere, but many clerk offices now offer them. Scheduling an appointment can reduce your wait time. Check your county clerk's website or call to see if appointments are available in your area.

What payment methods does the county clerk office accept?

All clerk offices accept cash and check. Some also accept debit or credit card, but this varies by location. Call your county clerk office before you go to confirm what payment methods they accept.

How long does it take to get my license after I explore at the clerk office?

You will receive your license on the day you explore in most cases. If the clerk office needs to verify information with the state, your license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. Ask the clerk which applies to you before you leave the office.