Mississippi LTC Fees and Costs

The Headline

Mississippi LTC fees are statutory and DPS-set. The basic License to Carry application fee under Miss. Code Ann. Section 45-9-101 is $80 plus a fingerprint processing fee that incorporates the FBI and DPS criminal-history charges. The Section 97-37-7 Enhanced overlay application fee is $100. Replacement of a lost or destroyed permit is $15. Late renewal carries a $15 surcharge.

Several categories of applicants are statutorily fee-exempt or reduced: disabled veterans (Section 45-9-101(23)), honorably retired law-enforcement officers (Section 45-9-101(22) and Section 97-37-7(1)(d)(i)), and certain military categories under Section 45-9-101(2)(a) residency waivers.

All figures below are statutory or DPS-set as of 2026 and are subject to legislative change. Verify with DPS at the time of application.

Basic LTC under Section 45-9-101

Application fee

• State application fee: $80 (typical DPS posting; statute authorizes DPS to set the fee within the framework of Section 45-9-101(5)).
• Fingerprint processing fee: variable. DPS bundles the federal FBI fingerprint-based criminal-history check fee, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety criminal-history check fee, and the DPS handling and administration fee under Section 45-9-101(5). The bundled amount is typically in the range of $32 to $40.

Total typical first-time application cost: approximately $112 to $120.

Renewal fee

• $40, payable on or before the expiration date (Section 45-9-101(11)).

Late renewal surcharge

• $15, added to the renewal fee if the renewal is submitted after the expiration date but within six months.

Replacement of lost or destroyed LTC

• $15, with a notarized statement to DPS (Section 45-9-101(10)).

Fee waivers and exemptions

• Honorably retired law-enforcement officers under Section 45-9-101(22) are eligible for an LTC with the "retired law enforcement officer" designation and a red background. The renewal fee is waived under Section 97-37-7(1)(d)(i) for the parallel Enhanced overlay; the basic LTC fee structure for retired LE follows DPS practice consistent with the statutory framework.
• Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability shown by a Veterans Health Services ID card (Section 45-9-101(23)) qualify for fee reduction or waiver consistent with DPS rules.
• Active-duty and reserve military stationed in Mississippi qualify for the residency waiver but pay the standard LTC fee unless a separate exemption applies.

Section 97-37-7 Enhanced overlay

Application fee

• $100 (Section 97-37-7(1)(a)). The statute fixes the Enhanced overlay application fee at $100 for the initial issuance.

This is in addition to the basic LTC fee if the applicant does not already hold an LTC. An applicant applying for both at the same time pays both fees.

Renewal fee

• $50, payable on or before the expiration date (Section 97-37-7(1)(d)(i)).
• Honorably retired law-enforcement officers are EXEMPT from the Enhanced overlay renewal fee under Section 97-37-7(1)(d)(i).

Late renewal surcharge

• $15, added to the renewal fee for late submission within six months of expiration (Section 97-37-7(1)(d)(i)).

Replacement of lost or destroyed Enhanced overlay permit

• $15, with a notarized statement (Section 97-37-7(1)(c)).

Other costs

Course costs

• Section 97-37-7(a) requires an instructional course in the safe handling and use of firearms taught by a certified instructor. Course fees are set by the provider, not by DPS. Typical Mississippi Enhanced-overlay course pricing in 2026 ranges from $50 to $150 depending on instructor, course length, and inclusion of range time and ammunition.
• The basic LTC has no statutory training requirement; no course cost applies.

Notarization

• The renewal affidavits under Section 45-9-101(11) and Section 97-37-7(1)(d) must be notarized. Notary fees in Mississippi are statutorily capped at $5 per notarial act. Some renewal channels (DPS Driver Services centers) can notarize on the spot at no additional cost.

Firearms purchase

• A Mississippi resident purchasing a firearm from a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder pays the federal NICS background-check fee (the FFL passes through or absorbs depending on the dealer). NICS itself is free at the federal level; the FFL may charge a $25 to $50 service fee for the transaction.
• Private firearm sales between Mississippi residents are not subject to any state-mandated background check (Mississippi has no universal background check law); private parties pay no transaction fee to the state. Federal law (18 U.S.C. Section 922(d)) prohibits transferring a firearm to a person the seller knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a prohibited person.

Carrying-license documentation

• Section 45-9-101(1)(b) requires the LTC holder to carry the license and valid identification when armed. A holder who does not carry both upon demand by an officer faces a $25 noncriminal violation enforceable by summons.

Fee comparison

Payment methods

DPS accepts:

• Credit card or debit card (online portal).
• Check or money order (in-person submission).
• Cash (limited; many DPS centers prefer card or check).

The DPS online portal at dps.ms.gov assesses standard convenience fees for card transactions on top of the statutory fees.

Costs beyond the LTC

A new Mississippi carrier should budget for the LTC fees plus the supporting infrastructure:

• A holster appropriate for the chosen firearm.
• A range membership or pay-per-visit fees for ongoing practice.
• Ammunition for practice and carry rotation.
• A safe or secure storage device for at-home storage (see STORAGE).
• Periodic firearms maintenance.

Mississippi imposes no state-level sales tax exemption on firearms or ammunition; the standard state and local sales tax applies. Some Mississippi sheriffs and DPS centers occasionally hold "free fingerprint days" for LTC applicants; check local notices.

Fee changes

Mississippi LTC and Enhanced overlay fees are set by statute and DPS regulation. Legislative amendments to Section 45-9-101 or Section 97-37-7, or DPS rulemaking under Section 45-9-101(20) and Section 97-37-7(1)(d), can change the dollar figures. The figures in this section reflect the law and DPS practice as of 2026; verify current numbers with DPS before submitting an application.