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.
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.
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.
To apply for a domicile certificate for ICT, the following documents are required for an individual who is above the age of 21:
For applicants below the age of 21, the following documents are required:
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:
Once you have successfully submitted the application, you can get your domicile certificate within 1-2 weeks.
Application Fee: Rs. 700/-
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.
The following documents are required to apply for a domicile certificate in Punjab:
For every applicant, it is necessary to have any of the following entitlement documents to get citizenship:
The citizens of Punjab can follow the given steps to apply for their domicile certificate:
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.
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.
Applicants from KPK can follow the given steps to apply for their domicile certificates:
The process will take 5-7 working days to complete before you receive your certificate of domicile.
Application Fee: Rs. 200/-
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.
The e-domicile system has the following essential features:
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.
To apply for a permanent residence certificate (PRC) in Sindh, applicants need to have the following documents:
Applicants can follow the given steps to get their PRC or domicile certificate:
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.
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.
The following are the steps to apply for a domicile:
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.
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)
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.
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 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).
Kalabagh, a small yet historically significant town in Pakistan’s Punjab province, is located within the…
Nazimabad Number 2 is a well-known neighbourhood in Karachi, Pakistan, renowned for its vibrant community,…
Quetta Town is a residential neighbourhood located in the vibrant city of Karachi, Pakistan. Known…
Akbar Chowk in Lahore stands as one of the city’s most critical intersections, serving as…
Khuda Baksh Colony, located near Bhatta Chowk in Lahore, is a rapidly developing residential area…
Gol Market in Karachi is one of the city's most iconic and bustling commercial centres.…