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Domicile Certificate

State residency proof for state quota seats in colleges, govt jobs, scholarships. Required years of residence varies by state — typically 7-15 years of continuous stay.

Proof you've been a resident of a state. Typically required if you stayed 7-15 years (state-dependent). For state quota college / job admissions.

Processing
~15 days
Fee
₹0-30
Issuer
State govt

Documents required

  • Aadhaar card
  • Ration card
  • Birth certificate / school leaving certificate of state
  • Voter ID or passport (showing state address)
  • Property tax receipt or rent agreement
  • Two passport-size photos

Apply via state portal

Maharashtra
https://aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
Karnataka
https://nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in
Tamil Nadu
https://tnedistrict.tn.gov.in
Delhi
https://edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in
UP
https://edistrict.up.gov.in

How a domicile certificate works

A domicile (or residence) certificate is a state-government document proving you have lived in that state continuously for the period its rules demand — usually 7 to 15 years. It is issued by the Tehsildar / SDM / Revenue Department under each state's own rules. Single-state issuance only: a person can hold exactly one domicile at a time.

Worked example

A Maharashtra-domicile student applying to a Karnataka MBBS state quota seat will fail the residency check — the Karnataka 15A quota needs a Karnataka domicile (10 years of schooling in the state plus other proofs). Switching domicile is rarely worth it just for one exam cycle; instead, apply through the All-India 15% quota. A Delhi NCR resident moving to UP for a govt job would need a UP residence certificate (3 years for SC/ST/OBC quota in some districts, longer for general) before applying.

When to use this

  • State-quota MBBS / engineering / law college seats (85% in most states)
  • State government jobs reserved for domiciles (police, revenue, teaching)
  • State scholarships (post-matric for SC/ST/OBC, merit-cum-means schemes)
  • Caste / income certificate — usually accept domicile as the address proof

Related helpers: caste certificate helper and income certificate helper — all three are often submitted together for college admissions.

FAQ

Required years of residence?

State-specific. UP: 15 years. Maharashtra: 15 (parent born in state). TN: 5. Karnataka: 7.

For state quota in college?

Yes — JEE state quota (15%), state PG medical, state govt jobs. Apply 6 months before deadlines.

Move state — keep old domicile?

Effectively yes. But if you live elsewhere > 5 years, courts may rule against domicile claims.