By shahrukh
7 min read
Karnataka Domicile Certificate
Karnataka Domicile Certificate

Karnataka is one of the few states in India that issues two related but distinct certificates: the Domicile Certificate and the Residence Certificate - both under the Revenue Department via the Taluk Office. Both are available online through two official Karnataka government portals: Nadakacheri (AJSK) at nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in and Seva Sindhu at sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in. The application fee is Rs. 25 for both certificates on both portals. Service time is 7 working days. Once issued, the Karnataka domicile certificate is valid for a lifetime - as long as you remain a resident of Karnataka. Nadakacheri uses a simple mobile number + OTP login system - no separate account needed. After approval, an SMS with an RD Number is sent, which is used for tracking and certificate verification.

Key Details

Detail Domicile Certificate Residence Certificate
Application Fee Rs. 25 Rs. 25
Service Charge (Grama One/B1/K1) Rs. 30 Rs. 25 (OTC: Rs. 5)
Service Time 7 working days 7 working days
Issuing Authority Revenue Department Officer, Taluk Office Revenue Department Officer, Taluk Office
Validity Lifetime Lifetime
Online Portals Nadakacheri + Seva Sindhu Nadakacheri + Seva Sindhu

Domicile Certificate vs Residence Certificate in Karnataka

Karnataka issues two separate certificates that are often confused. Understanding the difference helps you apply for the right one:

Feature Domicile Certificate Residence Certificate
Purpose Proves permanent residence in Karnataka state - used for state quota in education, government jobs, and welfare schemes Proves residence in a specific village, town, or ward - used for local government benefits and identification
Additional Documents Income Certificate also required along with standard documents No income certificate needed
Service Charge at Grama One Rs. 30 Rs. 25 (Rs. 5 for OTC counter service)
Sevasindhu URL sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in - Domicile Certificate sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in - Residence Certificate

For college admissions under Karnataka state quota (KCET/PGCET/COMEDK), you need the Domicile Certificate. For local benefits like local body elections voter enrollment verification or neighbourhood scheme benefits, the Residence Certificate is used.

Two Official Portals - Nadakacheri and Seva Sindhu

Karnataka has two government portals for domicile and residence certificates:

  • Nadakacheri (AJSK - Atalji Janasnehi Kendra): Portal at nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in. Launched in 2012 by the Revenue Department. Current version is Nadakacheri 5.0 (NK5) with 40+ services. Mobile number + OTP login - no separate registration needed. Physical AJSK centres are located at Taluk offices across Karnataka.
  • Seva Sindhu: Portal at sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in. Launched 26 May 2017. Integrated with 880+ government services. ServicePlus framework. Registration with Aadhaar or mobile number. Helpline: 080-22279954.

Both portals process domicile and residence certificates through the same Revenue Department Taluk Office. You can use whichever portal you are comfortable with.

Eligibility for Karnataka Domicile Certificate

  • Must have resided in Karnataka continuously for at least 6 consecutive years before the date of application
  • Must be an Indian citizen
  • Women married to Karnataka residents are eligible even without completing 6 years themselves
  • Indian citizens who own land in Karnataka are eligible
  • Children of Karnataka domiciled parents are eligible
  • Minors: the father's domicile certificate is required as part of the application

Documents Required

The following documents are required for each certificate type:

For Domicile Certificate:

  • Address Proof
  • EPIC (Voter ID Card)
  • ID Proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Driving Licence)
  • Income Certificate (required specifically for domicile - not for residence)
  • Passport (for urban applicants)
  • Ration Card
  • Rental Agreement (for urban applicants who live on rent)

For Residence Certificate:

  • Address Proof
  • EPIC (Voter ID Card)
  • ID Proof
  • Passport (Urban)
  • Ration Card
  • Rental Agreement (Urban)
  • Note: Income Certificate is NOT required for Residence Certificate

How to Apply Online at Nadakacheri Portal

  1. Go to nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in/ajsk.
  2. Click Online Application from the top menu, then click Apply Online.
  3. Select language: Kannada or English.
  4. Enter your registered mobile number and click Proceed. An OTP is sent to your mobile. Enter the OTP to login. No separate account or password needed.
  5. After login, your dashboard opens. Click New Request and select Domicile Certificate or Residence Certificate from the service list.
  6. Fill in the application form with your personal details, residential address, and period of stay in Karnataka.
  7. Upload all required documents. Keep files below 2 MB in PDF or JPEG format.
  8. Pay the fee (Rs. 25 application fee) online via UPI or net banking.
  9. Submit the application. An RD Number (Application Reference Number) is sent via SMS. Save it.
  10. Track status using the RD Number through the Application Status section on the portal.
  11. Once approved, download the digitally signed certificate. The digitally signed certificate from Nadakacheri is legally valid without a physical signature.

How to Apply Online at Seva Sindhu Portal

  1. Go to sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in.
  2. Click New User? Register Here if you are not registered. Create an account using your Aadhaar number or mobile number. Existing users log in directly.
  3. After login, in the search bar type Domicile Certificate or navigate to Revenue Department and select the certificate.
  4. Fill the application form with personal details, address, and Karnataka residency period.
  5. Upload all required documents listed above.
  6. Pay Rs. 25 application fee plus applicable service charge.
  7. Submit. Note the Application Reference Number.
  8. Track status at sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in/Track using the reference number.
  9. Once approved, click Delivered in your application list and then Output Certificate to download your certificate.

How to Apply at AJSK (Atalji Janasnehi Kendra) or Grama One Centre

  1. Visit your nearest AJSK centre (Atalji Janasnehi Kendra) or Grama One centre in your Taluk with all required documents.
  2. The centre operator applies on the Nadakacheri portal on your behalf.
  3. Pay Rs. 25 application fee + Rs. 30 service charge (for Domicile) or Rs. 25 service charge (for Residence) to the centre.
  4. Collect the acknowledgement with your RD Number.
  5. Track status online using the RD Number. Collect or download certificate once approved.

How to Apply Offline at Taluk Office

  1. Visit the Taluk Office (Revenue Department) of the Taluk where you permanently reside.
  2. Collect the application form for Domicile or Residence Certificate from the counter.
  3. Fill the form with your details and attach all required documents - address proof, EPIC, ID proof, income certificate (for domicile only), ration card.
  4. Submit at the Revenue Department counter. Pay any applicable fee at the Taluk office counter (OTC service charge Rs. 5 for residence certificate).
  5. Collect acknowledgement. The Revenue Department officer verifies and issues the certificate within 7 working days.

How to Track Application and Verify Certificate

  • Track on Nadakacheri: Go to nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in/ajsk → Get Application Status → Enter RD Number/Acknowledgement Number → Get status
  • Track on Seva Sindhu: Go to sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in/Track → Enter application reference number
  • Verify Certificate: On Nadakacheri portal → click CV (Certificate Verification) → Enter RD Number to verify the certificate's authenticity

Official Links

Nadakacheri Helpline: 080-4455-4455 | 1800-425-1243 (Toll-Free)
Seva Sindhu Helpline: 080-22279954 | [email protected]

Related articles:
Karnataka Income Certificate - Nadakacheri Guide
Karnataka Ration Card Full Guide
Domicile Certificate in India - Complete Guide

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always verify the latest process at nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in and sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Domicile Certificate proves permanent residence in Karnataka state and is required for state quota benefits in education and government jobs. It also requires an Income Certificate as an additional document. The Residence Certificate proves residence in a specific village, town, or ward and is used for local benefits. Both are issued by the Revenue Department Taluk Office and both cost Rs. 25 application fee with 7-day service time.

nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in (Nadakacheri 5.0 / AJSK) and sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in (Seva Sindhu). Both are official Karnataka government portals. Nadakacheri uses mobile OTP login without registration. Seva Sindhu uses Aadhaar or mobile-based account registration.

Must have resided continuously in Karnataka for at least 6 consecutive years. Women married to Karnataka residents, Indian citizens who own land in Karnataka, and children of Karnataka domiciled parents are also eligible.

RD Number is the Application Reference Number sent via SMS after submitting an application on Nadakacheri. It is used to track your application status and to verify the certificate on the Nadakacheri CV (Certificate Verification) portal.

Yes. The Karnataka domicile certificate is valid for a lifetime as long as you remain a resident of Karnataka. It does not need to be renewed unless you change your permanent residence to another state.

AJSK stands for Atalji Janasnehi Kendra - the physical service delivery centres of Nadakacheri. These are set up at Taluk offices across Karnataka and help citizens apply for certificates and other Revenue Department services.

Yes - the Domicile Certificate requires an Income Certificate as one of the supporting documents. The Residence Certificate does not require an Income Certificate.

Grama One (also written B1 or K1) is the network of Common Service Centre-type kiosks in Karnataka for delivering government services to rural citizens. The service charge at Grama One is Rs. 30 for Domicile Certificate and Rs. 25 for Residence Certificate.

Use the CV (Certificate Verification) section on nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in. Enter your RD Number to verify the certificate's authenticity. Digitally signed certificates from Nadakacheri are legally valid without a physical signature or stamp.

Yes - if you are a woman married to a Karnataka permanent resident, if you own land in Karnataka, or if your parents hold Karnataka domicile certificates. Otherwise, 6 consecutive years of residence is the minimum requirement.

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