• Continuous residence in the state for the period prescribed (10–20 years)
• For minors: father's domicile is sufficient if father is domiciled
• For married women: husband's domicile applies (relaxation in some states)
• Cannot hold domicile of two states simultaneously

1. Find your state e-District / Lok Seva portal — UP — edistrict.up.gov.in · MP — mpedistrict.gov.in · MH — aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in · J&K — jkpaysys.gov.in. State list: nsp.gov.in.
2. Register + login — Mobile + OTP. Aadhaar e-KYC reduces document upload.
3. Choose “Domicile” or “Residence Certificate” — Phrasing: Mool Nivas Pramaan Patra, Niwas Praman Patra, Domicile Certificate.
4. Fill application form — Birth place + parents' birth place + continuous residence history (years and addresses).
5. Upload supporting docs — Voter ID + Aadhaar + ration card + school leaving certificate (showing native place) + property records / rent receipts (multi-year).
6. Self-declaration affidavit — On Rs 10 stamp paper — declaring continuous residence period + native place.
7. Field verification — Patwari/VLW verifies neighbourhood / panchayat record. May confirm with elderly neighbours.
8. Tehsildar/SDM signature — Final issuing officer. Some states have CRPF/Police verification for sensitive border districts.
9. Download/collect certificate — e-Certificate or in-person. Lifetime validity (no expiry).

• Online portal: State e-District portal
• Offline: Tehsildar office, SDM office, CSC, or Lok Seva Kendra.
• Fee: Free in 12 states · Rs 25–50 in 20 states (stationery + verification)
• Timeline: RTPS: 15–30 days statutory. Real-world: 15–60 days.

See our complete checklist: Documents required for domicile certificate — covers mandatory + optional + size/format specs.

• School leaving certificate missing — RTI to school for record copy. If school closed, RTI to District Education Officer (DEO).
• Native village merged into another state — submit pre-merger documents (e.g., pre-2000 if Jharkhand from Bihar).
• Rented all your life — no property — voter ID + ration card + 10-year electricity bills suffice. Domicile is residence-based, not ownership-based.
• >30 days delay — RTPS appeal to SDM + RTI to Tehsildar.

Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:

1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
2. The name + designation of the dealing officer assigned to my file.
3. The reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
5. The likely date of issuance of my certificate / approval.

Auto-fill the PIO details + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →

Or browse state-wise scheme procedures: All state portals + RTI templates

No — domicile is exclusive. Marrying out / moving for job does not change domicile until you formally apply in new state + surrender old.

Voter ID issued in state + school records there + ration card + multiple years of utility bills with same address.

No — those are central exams. Domicile is for state-quota in state colleges (state medical, state engineering quota etc.).

Yes for minors. For adults, you must establish own residence. Spouse: husband's domicile applies in most states (some give choice).

File RTI to Tehsildar + SDM. Our RTI Playbook has a domicile delay template.

• How to check status — 25 high-traffic services
• Documents required — 30 checklists
• All state RTI portals
• Full RTI Playbook — 100+ scenarios

• Official portal: https://edistrict.gov.in
• Citizen feedback collected via AwaazRTI (composite, identifying details removed).
• Statutory references: see relevant Act sections.

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.