Voter ID in Mississippi

Mississippi is a strict voter ID state.

You are required to show an acceptable photo ID to confirm your identity when voting in person.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

Only certain voters are eligible to vote absentee in Mississippi.

You do not need a copy of your ID to vote by mail in Mississippi.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!


Changing Your Legal Name

You must file a formal request with your county’s Chancery Court to change your name in Mississippi.

If the court approves your name change, you will receive a court order that can be used to update the name on your ID documents.

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Adult Name Change (No Marriage or Divorce)

Contact Mississippi’s Vital Records office to change the name on your birth certificate. You may call the office at 601-206-8200 or email [email protected].

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

You must update your name with the Social Security Administration before you can change your name on a Mississippi-issued ID.

Visit your Department of Public Safety office to change the name on your state-issued identification.

You will need to provide all of the following:

  • certified name-change court order
  • additional proof of identification showing your new name: driver’s license; state ID; amended birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Social Security card showing new name. Secondary documents must display proof of state residency, such as a bank statement, utility bill or employer ID card.
  • driver’s license or state ID (will be destroyed)
  • payment of applicable fee(s)

Updating Gender Markers

Contact Mississippi’s Vital Records office to update the gender marker on your birth certificate. You may call the office at 601-206-8200 or email [email protected].

Mississippi will issue an amended birth certificate upon receipt of a certified court order directing it to do so and a signed physician’s statement that confirms you meet the state’s medical requirements.

The process of obtaining the court order to amend the gender marker on your birth certificate varies by court.

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

Mississippi does not have a legal provision for updating the gender marker on your driver’s license or state ID Card. The process for doing so is not clearly defined. 

You will need to provide the state’s Department of Public Safety with legal documents demonstrating your gender transition. You must first amend your birth certificate, which requires court order and medical documentation.