A Domicile Certificate is an official document issued by a State Government or Union Territory administration that certifies a person is a permanent resident of that state or UT. It is essential for availing state-specific reservation benefits, educational scholarship benefits, state government schemes, employment, and property rights.
What is a Domicile Certificate?
A Domicile Certificate proves that:
- The person has long-term residence in a particular State or Union Territory.
- The person has a legal claim to avail benefits like local quota seats, scholarships, land rights, and government schemes.
- The parents or guardians belong to that region either by birth, ancestry, or long-term residence.
Who Can Apply for a Domicile Certificate?
Eligibility criteria vary by state, but the following conditions are generally accepted:
- A person born in the state.
- A person whose parents have resided in the state continuously for a period of 5 to 15 years (varies by state).
- A person whose parents hold a government job in the state.
- A person whose spouse is a domiciled resident of the state.
- A person whose family owns land or property in the state.
Documents Required for Domicile Certificate
The following documents are commonly required. State-specific variations may apply - verify before applying:
| Documents | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Identity Proof |
| Proof of Residence |
| Proof of Birth or Study in the State |
| Proof of Property (if applicable) |
| Self Declaration of Domicile |
| Application Requirement |
| For applicants under 18 years |
| For married applicants applying through spouse |
| Other Documents (as applicable) | |
| |
How to Make a Domicile Certificate: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Every state has its own eligibility conditions. Check the minimum years of residence required and the documents needed before applying. The state-specific article on this website covers the exact eligibility for each state.
Step 2: Apply Online at the State Portal
In most states, online applications are available on the eDistrict or state service portal. The official portals for each state are listed below:
Register on the portal, select Domicile Certificate, fill the application form, upload all required documents, pay the application fee, and submit. Note the Application Reference Number for tracking.
Step 3: Apply Offline (if Online is Not Preferred)
Visit the following government offices in your area:
- Tehsildar / SDM / Deputy Collector Office
- Village Revenue Office (in rural areas)
Collect the application form, fill it completely, attach all required documents and affidavit, submit at the counter, and collect the acknowledgement slip. Processing time varies by state - see the table below.
Step 4: Verification and Certificate Issuance
- Government officials verify the documents and cross-check residence proof.
- Field verification may be conducted at your declared address.
- If discrepancies are found, additional documents may be requested.
- Once verified successfully, the Domicile Certificate is issued digitally or in physical form.
Processing Time by State
| State / UT | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Odisha | 10 working days (ORTPS) |
| Chhattisgarh | 15 days |
| Karnataka (Nadakacheri) | 7 working days |
| Kerala | 5 days |
| Delhi | 7 to 14 days |
| Telangana | 7 to 10 days |
| Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand | 10 to 15 days |
| Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh | 15 to 20 days |
| Ladakh | Under Ladakh Grant of Domicile Certificate Rules 2025 |
| Assam (PRC) | Under ARTPS timeline |
Application Fee
| Application Mode | Fees Range |
|---|---|
| Online (eDistrict / State Portal) | Rs. 10 to Rs. 100 (varies by state; many states are free) |
| Offline at Tehsil / Collectorate Office | Rs. 20 to Rs. 50 (varies by state) |
| Free States | Odisha, Manipur, Lakshadweep, DNH & DD - Nil fee |
How to Download or Collect the Certificate
- Online: Log in to the eDistrict or State Portal. Go to Track Application with your Reference Number. Download the Digitally Signed Certificate in PDF.
- Offline: Visit the issuing office with your acknowledgement receipt. Collect the printed copy of the Domicile Certificate from the counter.
Validity of Domicile Certificate
- Most states issue a Domicile Certificate with lifetime validity unless revoked due to misrepresentation.
- Some states like Odisha issue it with 1-year validity for certain use cases.
- Rajasthan issues Domicile Certificate with 6-month validity.
- Check state-specific validity before applying.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Giving incorrect years of stay or residency
- Uploading blurred, expired, or invalid documents
- Using affidavits without notary attestation
- Applying in a state where you are not eligible
- Applying for the wrong certificate type - many states have different certificates for different purposes
Notes for Special States and UTs
- Jammu and Kashmir: Special rules post Article 370 abrogation. Domicile Certificate covers residents, migrants, students, and children of government employees.
- Delhi: Requires 3 years minimum residence with supporting proof. Applied at edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in.
- Ladakh: New Domicile Certificate framework under the Ladakh Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules 2025, notified June 3, 2025. Apply at domicile.ladakh.gov.in - launched December 29, 2025.
- Nagaland: Has two certificates - PRC (Permanent Residential Certificate) for all residents and IIC (Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate) exclusively for members of the 15 recognized Naga tribes.
- Sikkim: Issues COI (Certificate of Identification) instead of domicile certificate. Requires recommendations from 3 Panchayats and dual police verification by SP/East and SP/Special Branch.
- Assam: PRC requires 50-year ancestor residence proof and 20-year personal residence.
Names Used for Domicile Certificate in Each State
Not every state uses the name "Domicile Certificate." Each state has its own official name:
| State / UT | Official Name Used |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Domicile Certificate / Residence Certificate |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) / Temporary Residence Certificate (TRC) |
| Assam | Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) |
| Bihar | Residential Certificate / Sthayi Niwas Praman Patra |
| Chhattisgarh | Residence Certificate / Domicile Certificate |
| Delhi (NCT) | Domicile Certificate |
| Goa | Domicile Certificate |
| Gujarat | Domicile Certificate / Sthayi Nivas Pramanpatra |
| Haryana | Bonafide Resident Certificate |
| Himachal Pradesh | Bonafide Himachali Certificate |
| Jharkhand | Local Resident Certificate |
| Karnataka | Domicile Certificate / Residence Certificate |
| Kerala | Nativity Certificate / Domicile Certificate / Residential Certificate |
| Madhya Pradesh | Permanent Residence Certificate / Domicile Certificate |
| Maharashtra | Domicile Certificate |
| Manipur | Domicile / PRC Certificate |
| Meghalaya | Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) / Residential Certificate |
| Mizoram | Residential Certificate |
| Nagaland | Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) / Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate (IIC) |
| Odisha | Resident Certificate (FORM No. I) |
| Punjab | Residence Certificate |
| Rajasthan | Sthayi Nivas Praman Patra / Domicile Certificate |
| Sikkim | Certificate of Identification (COI) |
| Tamil Nadu | Nativity Certificate / Residence Certificate |
| Telangana | Domicile Certificate / Local Status Certificate |
| Tripura | Permanent Resident of Tripura Certificate (PRTC) |
| Uttar Pradesh | Sthayi Nivas Praman Patra / Domicile Certificate |
| Uttarakhand | Domicile Certificate |
| West Bengal | Residential / Local Residence Certificate |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Domicile Certificate (post-2019 rules) |
| Ladakh | Domicile Certificate (Ladakh Grant of Domicile Certificate Rules 2025) |
| Puducherry | Residence / Nativity Certificate |
| Chandigarh | Residence Certificate / Permanent Residence Certificate |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Residence Certificate / Local Certificate |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Domicile Certificate |
| Lakshadweep | Domicile/Residential Certificate / Nativity Certificate |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a Domicile Certificate used for?
A Domicile Certificate is used for state quota seats in educational institutions, state government job reservations, scholarships, welfare scheme eligibility, property rights, and proof of permanent residence for various official purposes.
Q. Can a person have domicile certificates from two states?
No. A person can legally hold a domicile certificate from only one state or UT at a time. Getting a domicile certificate from more than one state or UT is an offence and can lead to cancellation of certificates and legal action.
Q. What is the minimum residence period required for a domicile certificate?
It varies by state. Generally 5 to 15 years of continuous residence is required. Karnataka requires 6 years, Delhi requires 3 years, Assam requires 20 years personal residence plus 50 years ancestor residence, and Ladakh has a 15-year residence category among 5 eligibility categories.
Q. Is domicile certificate valid for lifetime?
Most states issue it with lifetime validity. Exceptions include Odisha (1 year for some categories), Rajasthan (6 months), and some other states where periodic renewal may be needed for specific purposes.
Q. What is the difference between domicile certificate and nativity certificate?
A domicile certificate proves permanent residence in a state. A nativity certificate specifically certifies that the person was born in or is a native of that region. Some states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu use "Nativity Certificate" where other states use "Domicile Certificate." Both serve similar purposes.
Q. Is online domicile certificate valid without physical signature?
Yes. Digitally signed certificates downloaded from government portals (eDistrict, Nadakacheri, JharSewa, etc.) are legally valid under the IT Act 2000, sections 4, 5, and 6. They do not require a physical ink signature.
Q. What is PRC in northeastern states?
PRC stands for Permanent Residence Certificate - the official name for domicile certificate in Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Nagaland. Each state has its own specific eligibility rules, documents, and procedures for PRC.
Q. What is COI in Sikkim?
COI stands for Certificate of Identification - Sikkim's equivalent of a domicile certificate. It is issued by the ADC (Additional District Collector) and requires recommendations from at least 3 Panchayats, dual police verification, and is based on SSC (Sikkim Subject Certificate), Parcha, or ICC (Indian Citizenship Certificate).
Q. What is IIC in Nagaland?
IIC stands for Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate - issued exclusively to members of the 15 recognized Naga tribes. It carries a unique permanent number, requires Village Verification Committee attestation, and lineage proof going back 4 generations. A separate PRC is available for all other Nagaland residents.
Q. What is the Ladakh Domicile Certificate 2025 update?
The Ladakh Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules 2025 was notified on June 3, 2025. A dedicated portal at domicile.ladakh.gov.in was launched on December 29, 2025. There are 5 eligibility categories based on LRC holder status, residence period, study period, or Central Government employment.
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