Domicile Certificate – How to get a Domicile Certificate – Check Step-wise Process Here
A domicile certificate, often referred to as a residence certificate is an official document that can be used to prove that a person is a resident of a particular State/Union Territory. Issued by the respective state government/UT administration, this piece of paper allows individuals to peacefully reside in their respective states thereby allowing them to use all the utilities provided by the government. Individuals from any caste, category or group can apply for this certificate.
It is important to note that a woman who gets married to a person who is a permanent resident of a particular state automatically becomes eligible to submit an application for a domicile certificate for the same state.
A domicile certificate also plays a crucial role in availing benefits of the scholarship schemes implemented by the state governments.
Where and how can you apply for a domicile certificate? What is the application fee charged for a domicile certificate? By when can a candidate obtain the domicile certificate from the concerned authorities? The answers to all these questions are covered in detail in this article.
Domicile Certificate – Providing Authorities
A domicile certificate is generally issued by the designated authorities of the State and Union Territories. It can be the Revenue Department Officer, Tehsildar Officer, District Magistrate, SDO, SDM or Circle Officer. Each state and UT has its concerned issuing authority for the domicile certificate. The table given below highlights the state-wise list of concerned providing authorities along with their processing time and application fee charged.
The applications for a domicile/resident certificate can be made both online and offline. However, with continuously evolving technology, the process has become simpler as most of the state issuing authorities have switched to the online mode of application. Each state has its respective portal through which the applications can be made online. However, there are still a few states where offline applications are still preferred by the designated authorities.
Online Application
If you are willing to apply for a domicile certificate, you need to refer to the respective state’s portal. It essentially requires you to be a permanent resident of that particular state. The table below provides an insight on the state-wise portal through which you can apply for a domicile certificate online. To proceed with the application, the candidates need to create a login ID on the portal and complete the specified application requirements.
Offline Application
Despite the availability of online application, the candidates can prefer to apply for a domicile/resident certificate offline through the concerned state administration. The individuals who wish to obtain a domicile certificate offline can apply through one of the following concerned authorities –
Tehsildar Office
Revenue Office
Collector/ Deputy Collector Office
SDM Office
District Magistrate Office
Mamlatdar Office
Citizen Service Corners (CSC)
Registrar/ Sub-Registrar Office
Domicile Certificate – Key Documents Required
While applying for a domicile certificate, the candidates need to support their application with certain documents related to their identity, address and age. The list of documents required by each state administration may vary. However, the commonly asked documents for getting a domicile certificate include –
1. Identity Proof such as
Aadhaar Card
Voter ID Card
PAN card
Passport
Driving License
Ration Card
Any other government recognized document
2. Residence Proof (to prove the applicant’s continuous stay for 3 years) such as
Aadhaar Card
Bank Passbook
Voter ID Card
Electricity Bill
Passport
Telephone bill (postpaid or landline)
Ration Card
Rent Agreement
Driving License
Any other government recognized document
3. Passport-sized photograph of the applicant
4. Self-declaration form along with the application form
5. Proof of date of birth
Passport
Voter ID card
School leaving certificate
Birth certificate
6. An affidavit from tehsil or court
Domicile Certificate – FAQs
Below is a compilation of some frequently asked questions on ‘How to get a domicile certificate?’ along with their answers.
Q. Who can apply for a domicile certificate?
An individual who is living or whose parents are permanent residents of a particular state for more than 3 years can apply for a domicile certificate. This duration of residence may vary from state to state.
Q. How can a candidate get a domicile certificate online?
In order to get a domicile certificate online, the candidates have to visit their respective state’s portals and follow the procedure as specified.
Q. Who can issue a domicile certificate?
A domicile certificate can be issued by the respective state/UT authorities such as Tehsildar, Revenue Office, SDM, Collector Office, Deputy Collector Office, District Magistrate Office, etc.
Q. Where can a domicile certificate be used?
A domicile certificate can be useful for following purposes –
Availing benefits of state implemented scholarship schemes
Obtain reservation benefits in government jobs or educational institutes under resident quota
Availing loans
Q. Can Aadhaar Card be used in place of a domicile certificate?
No, an Aadhaar Card cannot be used as a domicile certificate as it is basically an identity proof and not a residence proof.
Q. What is the validity of a domicile certificate?
Generally, a domicile or resident certificate has life-long validity. However, some state authorities have restricted its validity depending on the purpose for which it has been asked for. The minimum validity of a domicile certificate can be 6 months.
Q. What is the application fee charged for a domicile certificate?
The application fees charged for a domicile certificate also varies from state to state. While some states do not charge any fee from the candidates, the other states may charge from INR 2 to INR 60.
