Get a REAL ID in Mississippi

Get a Mississippi REAL ID: if your license or ID has no gold star, bring your original birth certificate, Social Security proof and two proofs of residency to a Driver Service Bureau station; the regular license or ID fee applies.

Online?Unclear: DPS sources differDSB's FAQ says all Mississippi licenses and IDs, including online renewals, automatically get the gold star. DPS's 2025 REAL ID release says that if your license has no star, visit a Driver Service Bureau station with your birth certificate, Social Security card and two proofs of residency. Call DSB at 601-487-7028 to confirm which applies to you.
Office visitOne visit, appointment recommendedDSB highly recommends all applicants make an appointment; the online scheduler is linked from its site. DSB doesn't say walk-ins are turned away.
CostRegular card feeDSB lists no separate REAL ID fee. A Class R license is $24 for 4 years or $47 for 8 years; an ID card is $17 for 4 years or $33 for 8 years. Cash, debit or credit; no personal checks. A non-U.S. citizen's original license is $24 and is valid no more than four years.
You leave withCard by mailOnce your license is validated, DSB mails it within 48 hours; allow 3-5 business days. For non-U.S. citizens, SAVE checks can delay it up to 30 days.

Your situation

Do you have a Mississippi driver's license or ID card with a gold star in the upper-right corner?

The gold star marks a REAL ID. An out-of-state or foreign license doesn't count.

Are you a U.S. citizen?
Is your current name different from the name on your birth certificate or other identity document?

For example, you married, divorced or were adopted since that document was issued.

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Birth certificate (original or certified copy; DSB's new-resident FAQ asks for a certified long-form certificate)
      • Certificate of Naturalization
      • Certificate of Citizenship
    • Accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Social Security card
      • W-2 or 1099 (returned)
      • Pay stub with your name and full Social Security number
      • U.S. Military DD-214 or National Guard NGB-22
    • Accepted documents (bring 2)
      • Utility bill (electric, water, gas or cable), internet or phone bill
      • Bank or credit card statement (with physical address)
      • Paycheck stub with name and address
      • Lease, purchase, rental or mortgage papers
      • Medical records or bills from a doctor or hospital
      • IRS or state tax forms or W-2 (returned taxes)
      • Vehicle title, registration or car tag registration receipt
      • Voter registration card (with physical address)
      • Life, health, auto or home insurance policy
      • Property tax statement or homestead exemption receipt
      • School record, transcript or report card
      • Employer ID card with address, or notarized employer letter on letterhead
      • Any official city, county, state or federal document or letter with your address
      • Military discharge papers, orders or documents
      • Proof of Domicile Affidavit (roommate, landlord, parent or guardian) (with their Mississippi license or ID at the same address, or one other accepted document)
      • Federal documents: W-2, Medicaid, child support or Social Security document
      • Bureau of Indian Affairs card or Indian Treaty card
      • Firearm permit or pilot's license
      • Mississippi license issued to your parent or legal guardian
      • Sex offender registration documents

  2. Fill out the renewal application

    Renewing at a station means a new photo and DSB's renewal application.

    Renew Driver's License and ID Card ↗

  3. Book an appointment

    DSB highly recommends an appointment. Seating is limited, so DSB asks you to limit the number of people per appointment.

    Schedule an appointment ↗

  4. Visit a Driver Service Bureau station

    Most stations are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Gulfport Airport office is by appointment only and handles Mississippi duplicates and renewals only, so it can't serve a first Mississippi license or ID. Bring your original documents and pay with cash, debit or credit.

    Driver License Locations ↗

  5. Wait for your card

    Once validated, DSB mails your card to your residential address within 48 hours; allow 3-5 business days.

Common reasons people get turned away

  • Photocopies of birth certificates aren't accepted; it must be an original or certified copy with a state seal and certificate number.
  • Residency proofs can't be P.O. boxes, junk mail, envelopes or handwritten letters, and for a license they can't be more than 60 days old.
  • DSB doesn't take personal checks for license and ID fees.
  • If you go by a new name, you need a marriage license, divorce decree, adoption order or court order.

Offices that issue REAL ID

DPS says that if your license has no gold star, you visit your local Driver Service Bureau to get a REAL ID. Agency source.

33 offices in Mississippi

Results show offices that issue REAL ID or may, nearest first, each labelled.

Read more

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Sources · checked October 30, 2026

We wrote this plan ourselves from the official pages above on the date shown. Agencies change rules without notice: the official page always wins. DMVorganization.org is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.