By shahrukh
6 min read
Bihar Residential Certificate
Bihar Residential Certificate

In Bihar, the Domicile Certificate is officially called Residential Certificate (आवासीय प्रमाण-पत्र) and is issued under the General Administration Department (GAD) through the RTPS (Right to Public Services) portal at serviceonline.bihar.gov.in. The portal runs on NIC ServicePlus and uses MeriPehchaan (National Single Sign-On) for login. Bihar is one of the few states where the Residential Certificate is issued completely free - no application fee at any level. Three levels of issuance are available: Block Level (Circle Officer/CO), Sub-Division Level (SDO), and District Level (DM). For most purposes, the Block Level (CO) certificate is sufficient. To get an SDO or DM level certificate, you must first have the lower-level certificate - the Reference Number and Token Number from the CO level certificate are required to apply at SDO level, and similarly SDO certificate is needed for DM level. The issued certificate is delivered via SMS download link, email attachment, DigiLocker, ServicePlus inbox, or can be collected from the RTPS Public Service Center.

Three Levels of Residential Certificate in Bihar

Bihar's Residential Certificate is issued at three administrative levels. Understand which level you need before applying:

LevelIssuing AuthorityHindi NameWhen Needed
Block LevelCircle Officer (CO) / Revenue Officer (RO)अंचल स्तरGeneral purposes - educational admissions, scheme benefits, most job applications
Sub-Division LevelSub-Divisional Officer (SDO)अनुमंडल स्तरState government jobs requiring SDO-level certificate, higher court documents
District LevelDistrict Magistrate (DM)जिला स्तरCentral government services, NDA/UPSC applications, DM-level requirement

Important escalation rule: To apply at SDO level, you must first have the Block Level (CO) certificate. Enter its Reference Number and Token Number on the SDO application. Similarly, you need the SDO certificate to apply at DM level. Apply in this sequence: CO level first → SDO level → DM level.

Fee

The Residential Certificate in Bihar is completely free of cost at all three levels - Block, SDO, and DM. No application fee is charged by the Bihar Government under the RTPS portal. If applying through CSC/Kiosk, a nominal service charge may apply but the government fee is zero.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Whose name is on the voter list in Bihar
  • Minor applicants whose parents are residents of Bihar
  • Women married to a Bihar resident
  • Owns land, house, or immovable property in Bihar
  • Has been residing continuously in Bihar for at least 3 years

Documents Required

  • Annexure-I - the self-declaration form as required in the Residential Certificate application form
  • Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Ration Card
  • Proof of Residence: Electricity Bill, Water Bill, or Telephone Bill
  • Birth Certificate
  • Land ownership document (if applying on basis of property ownership)
  • Passport-size colour photograph

Application Methods

Bihar RTPS offers multiple ways to apply for Residential Certificate:

  • Without Login: Apply directly using the Department-wise service link on serviceonline.bihar.gov.in without creating an account
  • With Login (MeriPehchaan): Register on serviceonline.bihar.gov.in using MeriPehchaan National Single Sign-On, then apply through Menu → Apply for Services → View All Available Services
  • Through Executive Assistant (EA) at RTPS Counter: Visit the Public Service Center and the EA submits the application on your behalf either online or offline
  • Through Kiosk: Submit at RTPS Kiosks available across Bihar
  • Through CSC (Common Service Centre): CSC operator submits on serviceonline.bihar.gov.in on your behalf

How to Apply Online (Without Login)

  1. Go to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.
  2. In the left sidebar, click Apply Online.
  3. Go to RTPS Services → General Administration Department → Issuance of Residential Certificate.
    Bihar Domicile Certificate Apply
  4. Select the level: Block Level (for most purposes), Sub-Division Level, or District Level.
  5. The application form opens. Fill in all required details: Applicant Name, Gender, Type of Service, Father's Name, Mother's Name, address, period of residence, and attach Annexure-I.
  6. Upload all required documents.
  7. No fee is required. Submit the form.
  8. An Application Reference Number and Token Number are generated. Note both - they are required for status tracking, downloading the certificate, and for applying at the next higher level.

How to Apply with MeriPehchaan Login

  1. Go to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in and click Register Yourself from the Citizen section.
  2. Click Sign Up for MeriPehchaan. Fill in mobile number, name, date of birth, and password. Complete registration.
  3. After login, go to Menu → Apply for Services → View All Available Services.
  4. Search for Residential Certificate and select the required level.
  5. Fill the form and submit. Certificate is sent to your registered email and mobile via SMS download link.

How to Apply via RTPS Public Service Center / Executive Assistant

  1. Visit the nearest RTPS Public Service Center (Block/Sub-Division/District office).
  2. Meet the Executive Assistant (EA) at the RTPS Counter.
  3. The EA fills the Residential Certificate application online or offline on your behalf and submits it on serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.
  4. Collect the acknowledgement with Application Reference Number and Token Number.
  5. No government fee. The EA may charge a nominal service charge.
  6. Certificate is issued and can be collected from the Public Service Center or downloaded from the portal.

Certificate Delivery Options

Once the Residential Certificate is issued and digitally signed by the designated officer, it is delivered through:

  • SMS: A download link is sent to the registered mobile number
  • Email Attachment: Certificate PDF sent to registered email ID
  • DigiLocker: Certificate available in DigiLocker linked to your Aadhaar
  • ServicePlus Inbox: Available in dashboard if applied after login
  • Portal Download: From serviceonline.bihar.gov.in → Citizen → Download Certificate
  • RTPS Counter/CSC/Kiosk: Physical collection if applied through these centres

Check Application Status

  1. Go to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.
  2. In the Citizen section, click Track Application Status.
  3. Choose to track by Application Reference Number or by OTP/Application Details.
  4. Enter the Reference Number or OTP with application information and captcha.
  5. Click Submit. Current status of the Residential Certificate application is displayed.

Download Certificate

  1. Go to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.
  2. In the Citizen section, click Download Certificate.
  3. Select service type as RTPS from the dropdown.
  4. Enter Applicant Name and Application Reference Number. Click Download Certificate.
  5. The digitally signed Bihar Residential Certificate downloads in PDF.

Important Links

Helpline

Frequently Asked Questions

Residential Certificate (आवासीय प्रमाण-पत्र) under the General Administration Department (GAD). Apply at serviceonline.bihar.gov.in - the RTPS (Right to Public Services) portal built on NIC ServicePlus platform.

No. The Residential Certificate is completely free at all three levels (Block, SDO, DM) on the RTPS portal. CSC or Kiosk operators may charge a nominal service fee but the government fee is zero.

Block Level (issued by Circle Officer/CO) for general purposes. Sub-Division Level (SDO) for state government jobs with SDO requirement. District Level (DM) for central government applications and NDA/UPSC. To get SDO level, you must first have the CO level certificate - its Reference Number and Token Number are needed for the SDO application.

Yes. Go to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in → Apply Online → RTPS Services → General Administration Department → Issuance of Residential Certificate → Select Level. Apply directly without login using the department-wise service link.

MeriPehchaan is India's National Single Sign-On (NSSO) system used by Bihar RTPS portal. Register at serviceonline.bihar.gov.in by clicking Register Yourself → Sign Up for MeriPehchaan. After registration, apply for all RTPS services including Residential Certificate through your dashboard.

Annexure-I is the mandatory self-declaration form that is part of the Residential Certificate application. It confirms the applicant's residential details and is required for all applications. Fill it accurately and attach it with the application.

Once issued and digitally signed, the certificate is delivered via SMS download link to your mobile, email attachment, DigiLocker (Aadhaar-linked), ServicePlus inbox (if applied after login), or can be downloaded from serviceonline.bihar.gov.in/Citizen/Download Certificate.

The Executive Assistant (EA) is the designated government staff at RTPS Public Service Centers at Block, Sub-Division, and District offices who can submit Residential Certificate applications on behalf of citizens. The EA submits both online and offline applications on serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.

First apply for and receive the Block Level (CO) certificate. Then use its Reference Number and Token Number to apply for the Sub-Division (SDO) level. After receiving the SDO certificate, use its Reference Number to apply for the District (DM) level. Each level requires the lower level certificate first.

3 years of continuous residence in Bihar. Additional eligibility includes voter list enrollment in Bihar, property ownership in Bihar, parent's Bihar residence (for minors), or marriage to a Bihar resident.

వ్యాఖ్యానించండి

About text formats

సాదా పాఠ్యం

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • లైన్లు మరియు పారాగ్రాఫులు వాటికవే వస్తాయి.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.