Resources

   Voter Qualifications

In order to qualify to vote in Mississippi, a person must:

• Be 18 years of age on or before election
• Be a resident of the state for 30 days
• Be a resident of the county for 30 days
• Be a resident of the election precinct for 30 days

   Voter Registration

In order to vote in a general or primary election, you must register at least thirty days prior to the date of the election. Applicants may register in the City or Circuit Clerk’s office of the following locations:

   Marriage License

The Circuit Clerks’ offices in Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties issue marriage licenses. A birth certificate or driver’s license and results of a blood test taken within the last 30 days are required. The cost of the license is $21, payable in cash.

   Taxes

• State – Mississippi has a 7% sales tax as well as a personal income tax. The head of each family or married persons filing jointly have a blanket exemption of $12,000. The exemption for married persons filing separately is $6,000 per person. The head of family exemption is $8,000, and the single person exemption is $6,000. There is an additional $1,500 exemption for each income above this amount; tax rates are 3% for the next $5,000, 4% on the next $5,000, and 5% on the remaining balance.
• Federal – The Internal Revenue Service maintains an office at 100 E. Capitol Street (Federal Building). For more information, please phone: 1 (800) 829-1040.
• Social Security Administration – This office is located in the Federal Building at 100 E. Capitol Street,
  phone: 1 (800) 772-1213.

   Homestead Exemption

Mississippi law provides homeowners a reduction of certain ad valorem taxes by filing for homestead exemption. During the year the home is purchased, the homeowner files an application for homestead exemption in the office of the Hinds, Madison, or Rankin County Tax assessor between January 1 and April 1 in order to qualify for exemption. Persons 65 years and older or disabled may file an additional exemption of up to $75,000.

   Automobile Tags

Automobile tags are issued yearly from the date of purchase. Besides the tag fee, there are other city, county, and state taxes and fees, which are paid at the time the tag is purchased. Mississippi law states that new residents are to obtain a Mississippi license tag within 30 days after moving into the state provided their present tag is valid.

New vehicle purchase of tags is required within 7 working days.

Hinds County tags are available in Jackson at the Tax Collector’s office located at 316 S. President Street, telephone (601) 968-6587 or the Tax Collector’s office at the Courthouse on Main Street in Raymond, telephone (601) 857-5574.

Madison County tags are available in the Tax Collector’s office at the Court Square at 135 W. Center Street in Canton, telephone (601) 859-5226 and in Ridgeland at the Tax Collector’s office at 344 Highway 51, telephone (601) 856-4472.

Rankin County tags are available in the Tax Collector’s office at 211 East Government in Brandon, telephone (601) 825-1467 and in Richland at the City Hall, 380 Scarbrough Street, telephone (601) 932-3000.

   Automobile Inspections

Inspection is required on all automobiles. There are many inspections stations (garages and service stations) throughout the area. The yearly cost for this inspection is $5.00 per automobile.

   Driver’s License

To be eligible for a Mississippi Driver's License, you must be 15 years 6 months of age or older and have held a Learner's Permit for a minimum of 6 months. A youth applying for a license will require a parent's notarized signature on the application, a certified birth certificate and a social security card. All youth are required to provide student status, high school diploma, or GED. Drivers licensed in other states must surrender their existing license (not expired) and pass a vision test. Four-year licenses are available for $20.00, payable in cash. Testing for new licenses is done at the Apple Ridge Shopping Center location and renewals may be obtained at the Headquarters. Driver's licenses may be renewed at www.ms.gov.

Beginning at age 15, a one-year license is $5.00 per year, and at age 18, a four-year is $20.00. A four-year class A, B, C or D license is available at the Commercial License testing center at 2565 McFadden Road, phone number (601) 987-1287.

   Hunting & Fishing Regulations

Residents under 16 years of age or over 65 are not required to have a license. Other residents who fish in public waters must purchase a fishing license. Licenses range from an anuual sportsman license to a 3 day trip license. If lost, a sportsman license card can be replaced for a $7.29 duplicate fee. Annual renewal notices are automatically sent to holders of a Sportsman license. The licenses are available at various sporting goods stores throughout the state as well as on line at www.mdwfp.com. You may call 1-800-5GO-HUNT to order these licenses.

   Boat Registration

Any sailboat and boat using a motor must be registered with the Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks at 1505 Eastover Dr. in Jackson, telephone (601) 432-2400. The fee is based on the length of the boat.

   Transportation

• Highways – Jackson is referred to as the “Crossroads of the South”. Interstate 55 runs north and south (U.S. Highway 51 parallels I- 55). Interstate 20 runs east and west (U.S. Highway 80 parallels I-20). U.S. Highway 49 runs northwest and southeast through Jackson. Interstate 220 runs north and south from I-20 to I-55 north.  Interstate 55, MS Highways 16 and 22 intersect Canton.
• Airlines – Jackson Evers International Airport offers daily flights on Delta Airlines, ASA and ComAir, American Airlines, Continental Express, Southwest, Northwest, U.S. Air Express and United Express. For information dial (601) 939-5631. Charter service is available at Thompson Field, Hawkins Field and airports in nearby Raymond and Madison.
• Rail Service – The Illinois Central and Gulf, and Amtrak systems serve Jackson. Amtrak may be reached at (601) 355-6350.
• Bus Service – Greyhound-Trailways, telephone (601) 353-6342. Greyhound-Trailways, telephone (601) 859-4083 in Canton.
• Jatran – Jackson’s commuter transportation bus system, telephone (601) 948-3840.

   Mississippi Memorial Stadium

This stadium has a capacity of 62,500 and is one of the finest in the South. College football, track meets, concerts and other outdoor events are held at this facility. For ticket information call (601) 354-6021.

   Coliseum

Throughout the year, all types of events are presented at this 10,000 seat coliseum: horse shows, ice shows, rodeos, circuses, college basketball, musical events, livestock shows to name a few. This building is acknowledged as one of the most complete facilities of its kind in America. The phone number is (601) 961-4000.

   Trademart

Located on the State Fair Grounds is a 43,200 square foot exhibition center for trade shows, travel, flower, and antique shows, meetings and banquets. The phone number is (601) 354-7051.

   Historical Attractions

Daily tours of the Governor’s Mansion, Old Capitol and New Capitol are available to the public. The Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry/National Agricultural Aviation Museum provides an authentic presentation of a working farm much as it was 60 years ago. In Canton, located in Madison County, there are the historic Madison County Courthouse and Old Jail Museum.

   Zoo

The Jackson Zoological Park consists of 100 acres and features a collection of animals from throughout the world. There is a special Discovery Zoo where children can learn by doing. It is a popular spot with young and old alike. They may be reached at (601) 352-2580.

   Ross R. Barnett Reservoir

The 50-square-mile reservoir offers excellent facilities for fishing, sailing, skiing, several marinas, camping and picnics.

   Natchez Trace Parkway

This 400-mile parkway stretches from Natchez to Nashville, Tennessee. It memorializes a series of Indian paths that became a post road. The Trace provides complete picnic grounds, nature areas, and a historic drive from Northeast Mississippi into Jackson, following the shore of the Ross Barnett Reservoir and beyond to Natchez.

   Parks & Clubs

Throughout the city there are numerous public parks, tennis courts, picnic areas, and golf courses. There are several golf and country clubs, a tennis club, and several private, downtown clubs in Jackson.

   Trustmark Park

The primary occupant is the Mississippi Braves, Class AA team of the Atlanta Braves. The park is situated on 30 acres near the intersection of I-55 and I-20 in Rankin County. A 360-degree concourse allows spectators to walk around the entire park and produces an amphitheater design. The stadium is in a recessed bowl with seating starting at the main level and proceeding downward. All support facilities (such as concessions) face outward onto the concourse, thus spectators can leave their seats and not be separated from the game action. Red bricks and exposed steel trusses reflect the feel of a historic ballpark with modern-day conveniences, including a LED video board and chair-back seats complete with arm rests and cup holders. A covered concourse and projecting roof off the suite level offers “front porch” shade to the lower level. Seating capacity is 7,219. Amenities include: Corporate picnic pavilion (capacity up to 325); Full-service, free-standing restaurant beyond right field, open year round (seating approximately 200); Family Fun Zone (inflatable slides, obstacle courses, etc).

  Other Facilities

There is entertainment for everyone in Jackson including bowling alleys, stock car racing, riding stables, a skeet club, a yacht club, polo club, garden clubs, dozens of fine restaurants, supper clubs, and movie theaters. Consult the Yellow Pages for further information.