Mississippi LTC Renewal Process

The Headline

The basic License to Carry under Miss. Code Ann. Section 45-9-101 has a five-year term. The Section 97-37-7 Enhanced overlay has a four-year term. Both renew through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS), Firearm Permit Unit. DPS sends a written notice of expiration at least 90 days before the expiration date.

A late renewal is permitted within six months of the expiration date upon payment of a $15 late fee in addition to the renewal fee. After six months the permit is permanently expired and the holder must apply for a new license, including a fresh background check and full application fees.

Renewal of the basic LTC under Section 45-9-101(11)

Term

The basic LTC is valid for five years from the date of issuance under Section 45-9-101(1)(a), with the exception in Section 45-9-101(25) for LTCs that appear as a notation on the driver's license (in which case the LTC expires when the driver's license expires).

Pre-expiration notice

DPS mails the holder a written notice of expiration together with a renewal form at least 90 days before expiration.

Renewal submission

The holder renews on or before the expiration date by filing with DPS:

• The completed renewal form.
• A notarized affidavit stating that the holder remains qualified under Section 45-9-101(2).
• The renewal fee (currently $40 for the basic LTC; see FEES_COSTS).

DPS conducts an updated background check at renewal. Renewal is not automatic - DPS may deny renewal if the holder has become disqualified during the term (felony conviction, mental commitment, controlled-substance conviction, etc.).

Late renewal

A holder who fails to renew on or before the expiration date but renews within six months pays a $15 late fee in addition to the renewal fee.

Permanent expiration

A license that has been expired for six months or more is permanently expired and cannot be renewed. The former holder must reapply for a new license under Section 45-9-101(5), pay the full application fees, and undergo a fresh background check. The reapplication is treated as a new application; the original issuance date is not preserved.

Renewal of the Enhanced overlay under Section 97-37-7(1)(d)

Term

The Enhanced overlay is valid for four years under Section 97-37-7(1)(d)(ii). The Enhanced overlay tracks the holder's separate Section 97-37-7 issuance date, not the underlying basic LTC expiration. A holder may have an LTC and an Enhanced overlay expiring on different dates.

Pre-expiration notice

DPS mails the holder a written notice of expiration together with a renewal form at least 90 days before the Enhanced overlay expires.

Renewal submission

The holder renews on or before the expiration date by filing with DPS:

• The completed Section 97-37-7 renewal form.
• A notarized affidavit attesting that the holder remains qualified.
• The renewal fee of $50 under Section 97-37-7(1)(d)(i). Honorably retired law-enforcement officers are exempt from the renewal fee.

The Enhanced overlay renewal does NOT automatically require re-completion of the safety course. The Section 97-37-7(a) course is a one-time prerequisite to obtaining the overlay; the renewal sequence reaffirms eligibility by affidavit. (If the holder allows the overlay to permanently expire, however, a fresh course or military/LE documentation is required to obtain a new overlay.)

Late renewal

A holder who fails to renew the Enhanced overlay on or before the expiration date pays a $15 late fee under Section 97-37-7(1)(d)(i) and may renew within the late window.

Permanent expiration

An Enhanced overlay that has been expired six months or more is deemed permanently expired and cannot be renewed under Section 97-37-7(1)(d)(iii). The holder must reapply for a new overlay (with course certificate or military/LE documentation, full fee).

Renewal of LTC issued as driver's-license notation

A holder who chose the Section 45-9-101(25) driver's-license-notation option renews at the same time and place as the driver's license renewal. The LTC and the driver's license share the same expiration date. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety processes both together.

If the holder allows the driver's license to expire, the LTC notation also expires. Renewal of the driver's license also renews the LTC notation, subject to the LTC eligibility check.

Updated background check at renewal

Both the basic LTC and the Enhanced overlay renewals trigger an updated DPS and FBI background check. DPS may deny renewal if the check identifies:

• A felony conviction in any jurisdiction since the original issuance.
• A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9).
• A qualifying restraining order under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8).
• A new commitment to a mental institution without the required psychiatrist's certification.
• A new chronic-controlled-substance conviction or commitment within the lookback period.
• A new chronic-alcohol-related conviction or commitment within the lookback period.
• A new fugitive-from-justice status.

A holder whose renewal is denied has the same appeal rights under Section 45-9-101(7) as a first-time applicant whose application is denied.

Address and personal-information changes during the term

Mississippi law does not impose a generalized statutory duty to notify DPS of every change during the LTC term. Best practice is to update the address on file when the holder moves. A driver's-license-notation LTC will automatically update when the driver's license is updated.

Renewal documentation checklist

For the basic LTC:

• Renewal notice from DPS (if received).
• Photo ID.
• Notarized renewal affidavit attesting to continued qualification.
• Renewal fee ($40, plus $15 late fee if applicable).
• Any documentation supporting a residency-waiver category (e.g., military orders).

For the Enhanced overlay:

• Renewal notice from DPS (if received).
• Photo ID.
• Notarized renewal affidavit attesting to continued qualification under Section 97-37-7.
• Renewal fee ($50, plus $15 late fee if applicable; honorably retired LE officers are exempt from the fee).

What renewal does NOT require

• It does NOT require fresh fingerprints. The DPS keeps the original prints on file. (If a new application after permanent expiration is required, fresh prints are required at that point.)
• It does NOT require a new training course for the basic LTC.
• It does NOT require a new training course for the Enhanced overlay if the renewal is timely under Section 97-37-7(1)(d). The course is required only for the initial overlay or for a new overlay after permanent expiration.
• It does NOT require a fresh medical examination.

Renewal timing - practical guidance

• DPS recommends renewing 30 to 60 days before expiration.
• The online renewal portal on the DPS Firearm Permit page is the fastest path.
• An LTC holder traveling out of state should renew well before traveling. The destination state's reciprocity recognition depends on the LTC being current. An expired LTC is not "honored" anywhere, including in Mississippi itself.
• If a holder cannot renew before expiration (e.g., extended overseas military deployment), the holder should consult DPS for guidance. Some states allow tolling of expiration for deployed military; Mississippi DPS has historically been accommodating but the statute does not codify a deployment tolling rule.

Bottom line

Renewal in Mississippi is straightforward: 90-day notice from DPS, a short renewal form, a notarized affidavit, an updated background check, and the fee. Plan for a five-year basic LTC cycle and a four-year Enhanced overlay cycle. Watch the six-month late window carefully; once the permit is permanently expired, the holder is back to a full new-application process.