New to Oxford? Start power, water and sewer with Oxford Utilities (662-232-2373), get a Mississippi tag in 30 days and a license in 60, and apply for homestead.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page links our other guides and adds what they do not cover. Facts come from Oxford Utilities, Lafayette County’s utilities page, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s Driver Service Bureau and each provider’s own site.

Welcome to Oxford. This checklist covers the first calls a new resident makes: power, water, gas and internet; trash; your car tag and driver’s license; schools; and the homestead exemption on property taxes. City Hall’s main line is 662-236-1310.

First calls

  • Electric, water and sewer (city): Oxford Utilities, 662-232-2373, start service
  • Electric outside the city: Northeast Mississippi Electric Power Association, 662-234-6331, start service
  • Car tags and titles: Lafayette County Tax Collector, 662-234-6006
  • Which school district? Lafayette County Tax Assessor, 662-234-5562

Power, water and sewer

Inside the city, Oxford Utilities provides electricity, water and sewer. Apply on its start service page no more than 14 days before your move-in date, or download the residential application. Oxford Utilities then calls or emails you with the deposit amount; pay it and the service fee, and then sign up for the online customer portal. The office is at 300 McElroy Drive, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Outside the city, and at some Oxford addresses, electricity comes from Northeast Mississippi Electric Power Association (NEMEPA), which has its own start, stop and transfer page. See our power outages guide for outage maps and numbers.

Natural gas

Lafayette County lists CenterPoint Energy as the natural gas provider. Check service at your address and start service with CenterPoint.

Internet

These providers publish service in Oxford and let you check your address:

Trash and recycling

The city picks up garbage twice a week, and curbside recycling is a sign-up service. Details are in our trash and recycling guide. Outside the city, Lafayette County Solid Waste collects once a week: 662-236-2535.

Car tag and driver’s license

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s driver’s manual says new residents must get a Mississippi driver’s license within 60 days and a Mississippi tag within 30 days.

  • Tag and title: the Lafayette County Tax Collector’s office, 300 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 103, handles tags, titles and the use tax on vehicles; 662-234-6006. Renewals can be done online.
  • Driver’s license: the Driver Service Bureau says a new resident with a valid out-of-state license does not take the knowledge exam; an expired one means taking it. Bring a birth certificate or other accepted document and two proofs of residency no more than 60 days old.

Schools

Confirm which school district serves your address with the Lafayette County Tax Assessor. Registration, calendars and state grades are in our schools guide.

Property taxes and homestead

If you buy a home, apply for homestead exemption in person at the Tax Assessor’s office between Jan. 1 and April 1. You must own and live in the home on Jan. 1. Details in our property tax guide.

Voting

Mississippi has no online voter registration. Register in person or by mail with the Lafayette County Circuit Clerk, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, at least 30 days before an election. See voting in Lafayette County.

Pets

The city’s Animal Resource Center, 662-234-3981, handles lost and adoptable pets. Ask the center about any city pet rules.

Building or remodeling

Permits inside the city go through the city’s EnerGov portal; see building permits and zoning.

Who to call

Department numbers, the mayor and your alderman are in who to call at City Hall. Getting around town is in our getting around guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start utilities in Oxford, Mississippi?

Oxford Utilities provides electricity, water and sewer in the city. Apply online within 14 days of your move-in date; the utility then contacts you about a deposit. Call 662-232-2373.

How long do I have to get a Mississippi driver’s license after moving?

Sixty days, and 30 days for a Mississippi car tag, according to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s driver’s manual. A valid out-of-state license means no knowledge test.

Where do I register my car in Lafayette County?

At the Lafayette County Tax Collector’s office, 300 N. Lamar Blvd., which handles tags and titles. Call 662-234-6006.

Who provides natural gas in Oxford, Mississippi?

CenterPoint Energy provides natural gas in Lafayette County, the county says. Contact CenterPoint to check service at your address.

When is the homestead exemption deadline in Lafayette County?

Apply in person at the Tax Assessor’s office between Jan. 1 and April 1. You must own and live in the home on Jan. 1 of that year.