What is a Domicile Certificate and its Importance?

Are you planning to apply for a government job, scholarship, or admission in another state? If yes, then you must have heard of requiring to produce a domicile certificate to prove your eligibility and identity. 

A Domicile Certificate provides proof of permanent residence of an individual based in a Union Territory or a state in India. It is mandatory for every Indian citizen, regardless of caste, community, or gender, to have this certificate. As a legal document with lifetime validity, it is issued by government bodies of the respective UT or state.
Some states also call Domicile Certificate a State Residence Certificate/Proof.

As you can imagine, a domicile certificate is not only critical identity proof but can also help you avail of various benefits and schemes offered by the state government, such as reservations in educational institutions, employment opportunities, subsidies, etc. Let us dig a bit deeper into the topic.

Why is a Domicile Certificate needed?

The word ‘domicile’ literally means the place or area of one’s residence. The importance of a Domicile Certificate cannot be understated. Many may question that when we have a document like Aadhar Card, why is a Domicile Certificate even needed in the first place? Well, it is beneficial for smoothly carrying out this set of activities.  

• Purchase of property such as a house or land
• Registration of a new vehicle
• Proof of residency when applying for a loan
• Application of other documents such as PAN Card, Voter Card
• Application for scholarships from State Government
• Admission into higher educational institutions
• Particularly useful for medical practitioners as they need it as proof of residence to register their business
• Basic citizenship rights in the area one lives

Is a Domicile Certificate issued free of cost?

While in some UTs/ States, Domicile Certificate is issued to their citizens free of cost, it is chargeable in some states. If charged, the fee is nominal and ranges from as low as 5 rupees to 60 rupees. In fact, in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the application fee is 2 rupees. Some UTs and states with no domicile application fees are 

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Assam
• Bihar
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli
• Goa
• Himachal Pradesh
• Jharkhand
• Lakshadweep
• Ladakh
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Manipur
• Meghalaya
• Nagaland
• Odisha
• Punjab
• Puducherry
• Sikkim
• Uttar Pradesh
• West Bengal

How to apply for a Domicile Certificate?

The criteria for application may differ in some UTs/ states depending on the document concerning norms of that place’s concerned body. One can apply for a Domicile Certificate both online and offline.

Online Application for Domicile Certificate

Here is how the online application for domicile can be carried out.

• Visit the official website of the UT/ state of your residence.
• Log in to your account or fill up the details to register for a new one if you are not a registered member already.
• Open the ‘Services’ option from the tab and choose ‘Domicile Certificate’; you will be redirected to the page. Alternatively, some websites may also give the Apply for Certificates Online option.
• Fields for application will now be visible. Fill in all the necessary fields and click submit after carefully rechecking all the details. Depending on the norms of the UT/ state you reside in, you may have to pay some application fee.
• Once done, you will receive a mail/ text message mentioning your successful application. At this time, an acknowledgement number will also be generated. This acknowledgement number must be noted since this will help in downloading the certificate later.
• Revisit the official website and log in to your account to check the status of your application.

Offline Application for a Domicile Certificate

The offline application involves a pen-paper-based procedure. Some scanned documents and a duly filled application form must also be submitted. The application form for the same can be collected from Government offices.

• Revenue Office
• District Magistrate Office
• Tahsildar Office
• Collector or Deputy Collector Office
• SDM Office

Documents required for a Domicile Certificate Application

• Identification
• Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card
• Passport
• Driving License
• Voter Card
• Any government-approved identification document

Proof of Residence

• Electricity Bills, Telephone Bills, Gas Bills
• Bank Passbook
• Rent Agreements or similar documents
• A true copy of the Ration Card

Additional Documents/ Requirements

• Passport Size Photographs
• Birth Certificate
• Affidavit from the Court
• Date of Birth Certificate
• Declaration made by two other persons known to the applicant (not needed in all UTs, States)

What are the eligibility criteria for a Domicile Certificate?

Regardless of age, one may apply for a Domicile Certificate provided they fulfil the below-mentioned criteria.

• The applicant’s parents have to be permanent residents of the state too.
• The applicant must reside in the area for at least three years in the state (the tenure may differ from state to state).
• Applicants must have a property/ land/ house registered in their name in the state they are applying for a domicile certificate.
• Females are issued domicile certificates if their partner is a permanent resident of the state they are applying for a domicile of.

One must, however, note that some rules/ regulations are bound to change from state to state.

Common FAQs

1. Can one person have a Domicile in two states?

This question arises so much more than often, particularly for married individuals who relocate to a different state permanently post-marriage. The answer is an emphatic no. As per the Department of Personnel and Training, Govt. of India, an individual can have only one domicile.

2. Can my Domicile and permanent address be different?

Yes, an individual can have a domicile of a state different from their permanent address. The former indicates the state one is a permanent resident, owns the land, and was born in. On the other hand, the latter will be the address to which one may have permanently relocated owing to the nature of their work or personal reasons.

Final Words

By now, you must have understood that having a legitimate domicile certificate is imperative for every Indian citizen. Acting as a proof of citizenship, it is linked to the smooth execution of variegated activities ranging from medical practitioners registering their business to a loan application. A domicile certificate is a very important document that can make your life easier and more convenient.