A domicile certificate serves as evidence of permanent residence of a State or Union Territory (UT) in India. It is compulsory for every citizen irrespective of community, caste and sex.

This article will talk about the importance, purpose, eligibility criteria and application process for a domicile certificate.

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Domicile certificate, also known as State residence official certificate, is a permit to reside anywhere in the State or UT and aids in obtaining all the utilities provided by the Government. This certificate is issued by several Government officials, varying from one State/UT to another.

The table below highlights the State- and Union Territory-wise list of the officials authorised to issue domicile certificates and processing time and application fee.

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The purposes of a domicile certificate are as follows:

• It is necessary for legalised rights and liberty of the citizens.
• A domicile certificate is required while purchasing any property, such as a house or land.
• It is essential for application of KYC documents, including Aadhaar card, Voter card and PAN card.
• Domicile certificate is crucial for students taking admission in schools and universities or other educational institutions.
• It is required for new vehicle registration.
• Individuals must produce a domicile certificate as residential address proof while applying for a loan.
• State proof of domicile certificates is crucial for establishing businesses.
• Domicile certificate is vital for the registration of medical practitioners.

Know more about:

• Domicile Certificate in Karnataka
• Domicile Certificate in Delhi
• Domicile Certificate in Tamilnadu

Before applying for a domicile certificate, individuals must go through the eligibility parameters to avoid complications.

• An applicant’s parents must be permanent residents of the State or UT.

Or,

• The applicant must reside in the State or UT for at least 3 years.

Note: This parameter is indicative and varies from State/UT to State/UT. For instance, in Karnataka, applicants must reside in the State for 7 years to apply. Contrastingly, in Bihar, an applicant’s parents or the applicant must reside in the State for over 3 years.

• Applicants need to own a property like a house or land in the same State or Union Territory.
• The applicant’s name should be on the Voter’s list.
• Female applicants are eligible to apply for a domicile certificate after marriage.

Individuals can apply for a domicile certificate both online and offline according to their convenience.

a. How to Apply for a Domicile Certificate Online?

The application for a domicile certificate involves the following steps:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of the State or UT of your residence.
• Step 2: Complete account registration (for new applicants).
• Step 3: Log in to your account.
• Step 4: Click on ‘Services’ and select ‘Domicile Certificate’ to get redirected to the application page.
• Step 5: Fill in all fields in the form and submit it.

The domicile certificate will be issued after reviewing the inputs. Additionally, applicants will receive an acknowledgement number essential to download a domicile certificate.

b. How to Apply for a Domicile Certificate Offline?

Individuals can apply for domicile certificate offline by collecting the application form from any of the below Government service corners:

• Tahsildar Office
• Collector or Deputy Collector Office
• Revenue Office
• District Magistrate Office
• SDM Office
• Citizen Service Corners (CSC)
• Mamlatdar office
• Registrar or Sub-registrar Office

In addition, applicants should keep the documents needed for a domicile certificate handy for a hassle-free application.

Similar to the eligibility requirements, the documents necessary to apply for a domicile certificate may change depending on your State/Ut of your residence. However during the application process, here is a common list of documents necessary for a domicile certificate.

For Identification

• Aadhaar card
• Voter card
• PAN card
• Passport
• Driving license
• Ration card or any similar ID

For Residential Proof

• Bank passbook
• Utility bills such as telephone (postpaid or landline), electricity etc.
• Rent agreement or any similar document

Additional Documents

• Application form with self-declaration 
• 2 passport-size photographs
• Affidavit from court or Tahsildar
• School leaving certificate
• Birth certificate