A domicile certificate is a legal document that proves a person’s residence in a city or a country. According to the law, a person can obtain a domicile certificate from only one city at a given time. This defines the place for voter registration, bank account opening, vehicle registration, tax payments, job applications, and other legal procedures according to the laws of that specific city or province.
For most job applications and admissions in schools, colleges, or universities, a domicile certificate carries primary importance. Government departments announce jobs according to specific provincial and city quotas, and the domicile certificate helps residents from specific areas obtain their job quota.
In Pakistan, obtaining a domicile certificate can be a difficult process as applicants are mostly unaware of all the requirements. Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, has compiled a guide on how to apply for a domicile.
Understanding Domiciles
A person can obtain a domicile certificate if he or she is a permanent resident of the city. For children, their place of domicile is the location of their parent’s home. However, if they plan to relocate to a different area, they can apply for a new domicile certificate after the cancellation of the first one.
To apply for a new domicile certificate, there are specific rules and conditions that a person has to follow. These rules can be different, depending on the area. In most cases, if a person holds property in his name in a new city, and has been living there for more than a year, he is eligible to get the domicile certificate of that city.
How to Apply for Domicile in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)
According to Islamabad Capital Territory’s officials, a person who has been a resident of Islamabad for more than one year, and has a residence to his name, is eligible to apply for a domicile certificate. However, if he is a resident of some other district in another province, a cancellation certificate for the previous domicile is a must.
Documents Required (Age Above 21)
To apply for a domicile certificate for ICT, the following documents are required for an individual who is above the age of 21:
- Applicant’s CNIC copy
- Father/Husband CNIC copy
- Copy of proof of residence in Islamabad (allotment letter or lease agreement)
- Matric/SSC Certificates
- Copy of marriage registration certificate (for married persons)
- B-form Copy of the applicant
- Two passport-size photographs
- Voter list
- One original utility bill (electricity, gas or telephone) of the residence
- NOC from the department (for government servants)
- Proof of trade or occupation
- Affidavit
Domicile Documents Required (Age below 21)
For applicants below the age of 21, the following documents are required:
- Copy of Form-B or CNIC of applicant
- Copy of CNIC of father/mother
- Two passport-size photographs
- Copy of domicile certificate of parent(s), in which the name of the applicant is mentioned
- Copy of SSC/matric certificate
- Proof of trade or occupation
- Affidavit
- Voter list
Step-by-Step Application Process
Once all the documents are ready, the applicants are required to visit the Citizen Facilitation Centre, Islamabad.
They can follow the steps given below to formally apply for their domicile certificates:
- Visit Citizen Facilitation Centre, G-11/4, Islamabad to submit your application along with the required documents.
- Get a token and wait for your turn.
- The desk officer will enter your data into the system.
- Obtain e-receipt after paying the application fee.
Once you have successfully submitted the application, you can get your domicile certificate within 1-2 weeks.
Application Fee: Rs. 700/-
How to Apply for Domicile in Punjab
The application process to obtain the domicile certificate in Punjab has been made easier by e-Khidmat Markaz. Citizens can avail of all services during domicile certificate application through the e-Khidmat Markaz website, online application, helpline, and SMS gateways.
The Punjab Board of Revenue deals with all the applications for domicile certificates and the assistant commissioner issues all the domiciles. Moreover, the applicants can directly visit the parent department for their applications.
Documents Required
The following documents are required to apply for a domicile certificate in Punjab:
- Form P and P1, filled and signed by the applicant
- Affidavit (Rs. 50), verified by the Oath Commissioner and signed by the applicant
- Paid challan form of Rs. 200 (National Bank of Pakistan)
- 3 photographs (passport size with white background)
- CNIC or B-form copy
- Copy of applicant’s father’s or mother’s CNIC
- Assistant Commissioner Verification Form
Entitlement Document
For every applicant, it is necessary to have any of the following entitlement documents to get citizenship:
- Property document (fard, ownership, or registry)
- Utility bills
- Resident certificate
- Educational documents
- Voter list
Step-by-Step Application Process
The citizens of Punjab can follow the given steps to apply for their domicile certificate:
- Generate a challan of Rs. 200 from the e-Khidmat Markaz website or get it from the nearest National Bank of Pakistan branch.
- Visit the nearest e-Khidmat Markaz with the filled challan and all the required documents.
- Fill out the forms P and P1 and submit them with all documents attached.
- Obtain an e-receipt for the successful submission of your application.
Once you have submitted the application, you can track its status through the tracking ID by entering it on the e-Khidmat Markaz website, or application, or calling on the toll-free number.
Application Fee: Rs. 200/-
Note: The applicants are required to visit the e-Khidmat Markaz personally to submit their application.
How to Apply for Domicile Certificate in KPK
KPK province has almost similar procedures for domicile certificates. However, the forms required are different. Applicants can visit the nearest district court to obtain the domicile application form and Challan 32A for 20 rupees.
Requirements for Application
- Duly filled and signed application form
- Affidavit (Rs. 50)
- Copy of paid challan form
- 2 passport-size photos
- Copy of educational documents
- Attested copy of CNIC
- Copy of parents’ CNIC
- B-form for applicants below the age of 18
- In case a person has not received a formal education, the attested birth certificate must be attached.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Applicants from KPK can follow the given steps to apply for their domicile certificates:
- Obtain the domicile application form and form 32A from the nearest district court.
- Fill out the required information in the form.
- Fill out the challan 32A and deposit Rs. 200 in the nearest NBP branch.
- Write an affidavit as proof of being a resident of the specific area.
- All the documents should be taken to the Notary Public Officer for attestation.
- The file should be submitted to the concerned DC officer for verification.
- After verification from the DC office, the credentials are verified by the local patwari and police station.
- Once the documents are verified by all concerned departments, the commissioner will sign the application and issue a certificate of domicile.
The process will take 5-7 working days to complete before you receive your certificate of domicile.
Application Fee: Rs. 200/-
Online Application for KPK Domicile Certificate
Recently, the KPK government launched an e-domicile system to facilitate citizens in obtaining their domiciles from the DC office most securely and easily. It is a highly interactive web portal and mobile application, where applicants can submit their applications online for their domicile certificates.
The application can be tracked through a transaction ID. Once the process is completed, applicants are notified to collect their domiciles from the respective DC office.
Web Portal Features
The e-domicile system has the following essential features:
- Online domicile application
- Quick & secure way to obtain domicile
- Tracking application status
- Digital storage of the domicile information
How to Apply for Domicile Certificate in Sindh
Residents of Sindh can obtain the permanent resident certificate (PRC) by visiting the Deputy Commissioner’s Office of their respective districts. Domicile verification Sindh can also be done quite easily.
Documents to Apply for Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) in Sindh
To apply for a permanent residence certificate (PRC) in Sindh, applicants need to have the following documents:
- Five passport-size photographs (unattested)
- For applicants below 18 years of age, an attested copy of their Form -B
- For applicants below 21 years of age, copies of CNIC and the domicile of their father
- In the case of government employees, an attested copy of the service certificate
- Attested copies of all educational documents till the current year
- Original + attested copy of applicant’s CNIC
- Attested proof of residence proof (electricity bill, gas bill, or copy of rent agreement)
- In case the applicant has children, attested copies of children’s birth certificates or Form-B
- In case the applicant is married, a copy of their spouse’s CNIC
Step-by-Step Application Process for PRC or Domicile
Applicants can follow the given steps to get their PRC or domicile certificate:
- Get a challan of RS. 200/- from the DC Office and pay it in the nearest NBP Branch
- Paste 1 rupee stamp on photocopies of all documents
- Fill out the domicile application form and get it signed by Oath Commissioner
- Apply with all required documents
Once the application is submitted, domicile or PRC will be issued within 5-7 days.
Application Fee: Rs. 200/-
Note: The applicant has to visit the DC Office personally to submit their application.
How to Apply for Domicile Certificate in Balochistan
The application process for a domicile in Balochistan is controversial as the local government does not allow any outsider or settler to apply for permanent residence in Balochistan.
Due to problems with job quotas and resource distribution, the tribal chiefs do not allow domicile applications for applicants from other provinces.
However, the procedure for locals is quite easy.
Documents Required to Apply for Domicile
- Verification of old certificates of father/forefathers, which are already issued by this office.
- Original CNIC with a permanent address of Quetta
- Both father and mother’s CNIC with a permanent address of Quetta
- If the father/mother is not alive, then a computerized death certificate is issued from Metropolitan Corporation Quetta.
- Stamp paper/oath certificate (original)
- Original bank challan (Rs. 400)
Step-by-Step Application Process
The following are the steps to apply for a domicile:
- Get the domicile application form and challan from the DC office.
- Pay the challan of Rs. 200/- and fill out the form.
- After the submission of the form, your data will be verified from the local police station, and tehsil office.
- Once all the documents are verified, the form is signed by the tribal chief, in charge of the local branch, the relevant assistant commissioner, and an additional deputy commissioner.
- In the last step, DC will sign the form and issue a domicile certificate.
| City | Address | Phone Number |
| Islamabad | ICT Administration Complex, G-11/4, Islamabad | 051-9108194 |
| Lahore | Jinnah Hall (Town Hall), Lower Mall, Anarkali | 042-99214572 |
| Karachi (Central) | DC Office, Sector 15-A/1, Buffer Zone, Karachi | |
| Karachi (East) | DC East, District Council Building, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Opposite Mashriq Centre | (021) 99231214 |
| Karachi (West) | Manghopir Road, SITE Area, Karachi | |
| Karachi (South) | 4-Club Road, Opposite Karachi Gymkhana, Civil Lines, Karachi | +922199205607 |
| Peshawar | PMRU, Office of the Chief Secretary, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Civil Secretariat | +92-919223566 |
| Quetta | Anscomb Rd, Quetta, Balochistan | (081) 9201406 |
For more information about domicile certificate applications, visit Graana blog.
FAQs
How can I apply for a domicile in Pakistan?
You need the following things to apply for a domicile:
Copy of CNIC of Applicant (must be 01-year old)
Voter List.
Copy of CNIC of Father/Husband.
Copy of Proof of Residence in Islamabad (Allotment letter or Lease agreement)
One original utility bill (Electricity, Gas or Telephone) of the residence.
NOC from the Department (For Government Servants)
How to make domicile certificate online?
a) The applicant shall open the Online e-District Portal using the address https://edistrict.up.gov.in/edistrictup/ and click on Citizen login (e-Sathi).
b) Register in the online portal using their personal details and contact details. c) A password is generated and sent through SMS/Email.
What is the fee for domicile?
The citizens of Punjab can follow the given steps to apply for their domicile certificate: Generate a challan of Rs. 200 from the e-Khidmat Markaz website or get it from the nearest National Bank of Pakistan branch. Visit the nearest e-Khidmat Markaz with the filled challan and all the required documents
How to fill the Peshawar domicile?
Fill up the form with all requisite details (Applicant Name, Father Name, Date, age, Tehsil, District), etc. and fill challan form 32 A. Deposit Rs 200 in the National Bank and provide an affidavit from parents as proof of residence (if required).
