How do I know if I have a Real ID? Here's how to tell in Mississippi. Deadline is soon

Do you already have a Real ID? If you want to travel this summer, particularly if you plan to fly, you might need to update your drivers license.
Mississippi residents will need a new identification card or passport to fly on commercial airlines. They'll also be required to get onto military bases or access secure federal facilities, according to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety's Driver Service Bureau.
The deadline across the U.S. is May 7. According to a DSB news release, 97.1% of Mississippi drivers were REAL ID compliant as of April 1.
The Driver Service Bureau has offered several special Saturday appointments to help people get what they need on time. The extra appointments are in addition to regular business hours and are only at some offices, and the last ones are set for this weekend.
Here's what we know about what you need to upgrade to a Real ID in Mississippi, where to go for a special appointment and when you need to finalize the change.
All Real IDs will have a stamp on the right-hand corner to show that it is federally compliant. The symbol stamped on your Real ID card will vary, depending on the issuing state. In Mississippi, it's a gold star.
The Driver Service Bureau has offered special Real ID appointments on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last weekend appointments will be on May 3.
You can schedule an appointment online, but walk-ins are also welcome at these offices:
Biloxi.
Brookhaven.
Greenwood.
Hattiesburg West.
Jackson.
Meridian.
Nesbit.
New Albany.
Pearl.
Tupelo.
Any traveler over the age of 18 who does not have another TSA-approved form of identification to fly domestically must have a Real ID-compliant identification card or driver's license by May 7, 2025.
If you need to fly right after the date, you need to update your driver's license or state ID now.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require people without passports to have a Real ID seal on all state-issued identification cards for certain tasks, like air travel.
The guideline was set by The Real ID Act of 2005. Implementation was supposed to happen in previous years but was pushed back because of a paperwork backlog during COVID.
No. Any traveler who has an up-to-date passport, or any other TSA-approved form of identification does not need a real ID to travel domestically.
You can obtain a Real ID driver's license or identification card from your local motor vehicle department. Go to your local Mississippi department of safety office or schedule an appointment online.
More: How Nissan, Amazon, others pushed to get Jackson, MS, a direct Southwest flight to Nashville
According to DHS, state driver's licensing agencies can have different documentation requirements.
In Mississippi, you need to provide:
Your original Social Security card.
A certified copy of your birth certificate.
Two proofs of residency in Mississippi.
If you already have another TSA-approved form of identification, then you probably don't need a Real ID.
Enhanced IDs, which are only issued in a couple of states, including Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Vermont, are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards.
Other TSA-approved alternatives:
State-issued enhanced driver's license.
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents.
Border crossing card.
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe.
HSPD-12 PIV card.
Foreign government-issued passport.
Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card.
Transportation worker identification credential.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766).
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential.
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC).
More: Check out the new Mississippi drivers license designs
The swap to Real ID won't change everything you use a state-issued ID card to do. Here's what won't be affected by Real ID in Mississippi.
You can still drive, vote, get medical care at hospitals, go to the post office, get into federal courts, carry out bank transactions and apply for or get federal benefits, like Social Security.
According to the Driver Service Bureau, state firearm permits aren't considered official IDs and won't get the gold star.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How do I know if I have a Real ID? Here's how to tell in MS by deadline

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

New York Post

7 hours ago

• New York Post

Summer travel forecast to shatter records for Fourth Of July — here's how many Americans will be on the move

There's going to be a real tournami. The American Automobile Association predicts that a record number of Americans will travel across the country over the July 4th holiday week from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6. During that period, 72.2 million people will reportedly journey at least 50 miles from home — an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 7 million more than in 2019, per the forecast. 'Following Memorial Day's record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week,' said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. 'The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer,' said Kristie Jordan Smith, a TSA official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) milanmarkovic78 – Indeed, a record 62 million travelers will be commuting by car over Independence Day weekend, marking an uptick of 1.3 million from last year. Meanwhile, the number of air travelers is also 'projected to set a new record,' per the autoclub, which expects that 5.84 million travelers will jet to their destinations — 8% of all July 4 travelers. That marks a 1.4% increase over the previous record of 5.76 million during Independence Day week of last year. Coney Island beach in New York, which is the third biggest July 4 destination this year, according to AAA booking data. Stock fresh – According to AAA booking data for the July 4 travel period, the top three domestic destinations are Orlando (FL), Seattle (WA), New York, (NY) while internationally the most US travelers are flocking to Vancouver (Canada), Rome (Italy) and Paris (France). 'Cruises, beaches, and fireworks are the main motivators for travelers heading to these cities,' AAA writes. 'Alaska cruises are in peak season, Florida and Hawaii are in high demand for their resorts and attractions, and New York and Boston host two of the most popular fireworks shows in the nation.' AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz claimed that the expected travel surge is as much an 'emotional decision' as it is a practical or economic one. 'People don't have to spend a lot of money when they go on these trips, but people want to get away and not be home,' she said. The Transportation Security Administration is bracing for the tournami. 'The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer,' said Kristie Jordan Smith, a TSA official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), CBS reported. Airport officials are hoping to curb the congestion by implementing facial recognition technology. Customs officials claim that wait times are already down 25% thanks to this expeditious tech, which is now operational at nine flight hubs across the country.

Travel + Leisure

12 hours ago

• Travel + Leisure

The TSA Warns Against 'Juice Jacking' at the Airport—Here's How to Protect Yourself

When was the last time you used a USB charging station at the airport? According to the Transportation Security Administration, you should think twice before charging your phone at one of those stations. "Hackers can install malware at USB ports (we've been told that's called 'juice/port jacking')," the TSA recently advised travelers on Facebook. "So, when you're at an airport, do not plug your phone directly into a USB port. Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there." The warning has sparked fresh concern about "juice jacking," a cyberattack where criminals install malware on public charging stations to steal data from connected devices. But how real is this threat for everyday travelers? We asked a few experts. A person using their tablet. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure According to Calum Baird, a digital forensics expert, juice jacking is more theoretical than anything else. Despite the alarming warnings circulating online, Baird says he hasn't encountered any actual cases in his professional experience. "I see it pop up online every now and then, but most, if not all, modern smartphones now require confirmation prior to data transfer via USB," Baird says. Baird notes that even if travelers encounter compromised charging stations, most modern devices have built-in protections. Baird's personal experiences are also backed by the Federal Communications Commission, and on its website, the organization states that although it is technically possible, the FCC is not aware of any confirmed cases of juice jacking. Plugging into a USB charging port. Danny Jenkins, cofounder and CEO of ThreatLocker, offers another perspective on what travelers should actually worry about, and points to an unexpected source: deceptive USB-C cables. "Shady USB-C cables likely pose the greater risk, partly because the dangers of public charging ports are more widely known," he says. Jenkins says that people have become more aware of the dangers associated with public charging stations, so they're more cautious about using them. However, many travelers don't think twice about buying a cheap charging cable from a questionable vendor at an airport shop or online marketplace, making these cables a more successful point of attack. "Attackers are always searching for new exploits," he says. "While upcoming measures may mitigate issues related to juice jacking, vulnerabilities could still emerge as attackers gain access to new USB technologies and attempt to bypass these protections." A person plugging in a phone. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure While it's hard to find reports of actual juice jacking cases, it's always a good idea to take extra precautions, just in case. Jenkins says that portable battery packs can help mitigate the chances of a juice-jacking attack. If you don't have any other options aside from a public charging station, Jenkins recommends checking for signs of tampering on the USB port area. Baird says to check your phone as you plug it in. 'If it's asking you to trust a device you've connected to, decline,' he says. 'It doesn't need data transfer to charge.' While juice jacking remains largely theoretical, the TSA's cautious approach makes sense given the high-traffic nature of airports and the valuable data stored on travelers' devices. However, modern smartphones have built-in protections, and a few simple precautions can drastically eliminate any risk. Instead of avoiding public charging entirely, travelers can stay safe by bringing their own charging equipment, paying attention to device prompts, and being selective about where they source cables and adapters. After all, a dead phone battery poses a more immediate risk than juice jacking for most travelers.

Yahoo

a day ago

• Yahoo

Summer travel predicted to break records for the Fourth of July

AAA projects a record 72 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the nine-day Independence Day holiday period — from June 28 to July 6 — with new highs expected for both drivers and air travelers as summer travel reaches peak season. The auto club forecasts nearly 62 million people will drive over the Fourth of July weekend, representing an increase of 1.3 million from last year. Air travel is expected to rise more than 1% over last year's record numbers. "The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer," said Kristie Jordan Smith, a Transportation Security Administration official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. How technology at airports is reducing wait times The Independence Day travel period is expected to be the summer's busiest travel stretch. Airport officials are implementing new technology to reduce wait times. At DFW, customs officials report wait times are down 25% thanks to enhanced passenger processing technology that uses facial recognition, now operational at nine airports nationwide. CBP will soon test a program allowing customs to review X-ray images of checked bags from London flights, eliminating the need for connecting passengers to clear security twice in Dallas. "This program streamlines and improves the travel experience for our customers, saving them time and reducing the complexity of clearing security while continuing to maintain the highest security standards," said Jim Moses, Senior Vice President DFW Hub Operations at American Airlines. DFW is the airline's largest hub. AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said travel demand reflects both practical and emotional factors. "We're seeing travel in record numbers because travel isn't just an economic and practical decision, it's also an emotional decision," Diaz said. "People don't have to spend a lot of money when they go on these trips, but people want to get away and not be home." According to Priceline, top summer destinations include Las Vegas, Orlando, Tokyo and London. SpaceX Starship upper stage blows up Hurricane Erick approaches Mexico with destructive winds, major storm surge AI's extreme human imitation makes it act deceptively, cheat and lie, "Godfather of AI" says