What you need to do to replace a Mississippi driver's license
To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Mississippi driver's license, you must visit a Driver Services office in person with proof of identity and residency. Mississippi does not offer online or mail-in replacement. You will pay a fee (the amount depends on how much time remains on your current license), receive a temporary paper license on the spot, and the replacement card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If your license was stolen, you should also report the theft to local police and request a report number. Bring that number with you to the Driver Services office — it protects you if someone tries to use your stolen license before you replace it.
Key Takeaways
- You must go to a Mississippi Driver Services office in person; there is no online or mail replacement option.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID (passport, military ID, or Real ID) plus a document showing your current Mississippi address, such as a utility bill or lease.
- The replacement fee ranges based on the expiration date of your current license; a license expiring soon costs less to replace than one with years remaining.
- You receive a temporary paper license when ready and the replacement card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- If your license was stolen, bring a police report number to the office to flag the theft in the system.
Documents and ID you will need to bring
Bring one government-issued photo ID and one proof of your current address. For photo ID, the state accepts a U.S. passport, military ID, passport card, or another state's driver's license. A Real ID-compliant license from another state counts as well.
For proof of address, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your name and current Mississippi address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency (such as a tax notice or voter registration card) also works.
If you do not have a photo ID, you can bring two documents from a secondary list: a Social Security card, birth certificate, school ID, employee ID, or insurance card. The Driver Services office staff can tell you which combination will work for your situation.
Where to go and what the process costs
Find your nearest Driver Services office on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website. Offices are located in most counties, and you can visit any office — you do not have to go to the one in your county of residence. Hours vary by location, so check before you go. Many offices do not accept walk-ins after a certain time in the afternoon, and some close for lunch.
The replacement fee depends on how long your current license is valid. If your license expires within one year, the fee is lower. If it has more than one year remaining, you pay a higher fee to cover the full replacement period. The exact amounts change periodically, so call your local Driver Services office or check the state website for the current fee before you visit.
You can pay by cash, check, or debit card at most offices. Credit cards are not always accepted, so bring cash or a debit card to be safe.
What happens after you submit your replacement request
You will receive a temporary paper license printed on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and allows you to drive legally while you wait for your replacement card. Keep it with you whenever you drive.
Your replacement card is mailed to the address you provided at the Driver Services office. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need the card faster, some offices offer expedited mail for an additional fee, though this is not available at all locations.
Once your replacement card arrives, the temporary paper license is no longer valid. Destroy it or keep it for your records — you do not need to return it to the state.
If your license was stolen
Report the theft to your local police department and ask for a report number. This creates an official record and protects you if someone tries to use your stolen license before you replace it. Bring the police report number with you to the Driver Services office.
When you provide the report number, the office staff will flag your stolen license in the state system. This makes it harder for someone else to use it fraudulently. You still follow the same replacement process and pay the same fee, but the theft notation stays on your record.
If you are concerned about identity theft beyond the license itself, you can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by contacting any one of them. This alerts lenders that someone may be trying to open accounts in your name.
If your license is damaged but not lost
If your license is still in your possession but damaged — cracked, faded, or unreadable — you can still replace it using the same process. Bring the damaged license with you to the Driver Services office along with your proof of identity and address. The staff will take the damaged license and issue your replacement.
You pay the same replacement fee as you would for a lost or stolen license. The temporary paper license and 7- to 10-day mail delivery timeline are the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my license by mail or online?
No. Mississippi requires you to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged license in person at a Driver Services office. You cannot do this by mail or through the state website.
What if I do not have a government photo ID?
You can bring two documents from the secondary list instead: a Social Security card, birth certificate, school ID, employee ID, or insurance card. Call your local Driver Services office to confirm which combination they will accept before you visit.
How long is the temporary paper license valid?
The temporary paper license is valid for 45 days. Your replacement card should arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days, so the temporary license covers the wait. Once your card arrives, destroy the temporary license or keep it for your records.
Do I have to go to the Driver Services office in my county?
No. You can visit any Driver Services office in Mississippi, regardless of which county you live in. Choose the location most convenient to you and check the hours before you go.
What if my replacement card does not arrive after 10 days?
Contact the Mississippi Driver Services office where you submitted your replacement request. They can check the status of your card and reissue it if it was lost in the mail. Have your temporary paper license number ready when you call.