How to Apply for a Domicile Certificate in Pakistan (2025 Step-by-Step Guide)

(Updated 18 August 2025 | Covers Punjab, Sindh, KPK, Islamabad & Eligibility Changes)

Province	Residency Requirement	Special Criteria
Punjab	1+ year in district	Born in Punjab OR parents hold Punjab domicile [16]
Sindh	10+ years OR born in Sindh	Father’s domicile accepted for students [10][15]
KPK	1+ year	Property ownership OR voter registration [16]
Islamabad	1+ year	Must cancel previous domicile first [3][16]

Critical Change: Sindh now allows college admissions on father’s domicile—no student certificate needed [10].

(Attest all copies with a gazetted officer)

Document	Punjab	Sindh	Islamabad
Applicant’s CNIC/B-Form	✅	✅	✅
Father’s CNIC + Domicile	✅	✅	✅ (if minor)
Proof of Residence	Utility bill (1+ yr old)	Utility bill/lease (10+ yrs)	Utility bill + allotment letter [3][16]
Educational Certificates	Matric+	Matric+ (Sindh board)	Matric+ [15][16]
Affidavit (Rs. 50 stamp)	✅	✅	✅
Voter List Copy	✅	✅	✅
Passport Photos	3	4–6	2

1. Punjab (e-Khidmat Centers)

Pay Challan: Rs. 200 at National Bank [16].
Fill Forms: Download Form P + P1 from e-Khidmat Portal.
Submit: Visit e-Khidmat Markaz (e.g., Lahore Town Hall) with documents.
Track: SMS application ID to 9100 or use Punjab Domicile Management System portal.
Collect: In 16 days [16].

2. Sindh (DC Office)

Pay Challan: Rs. 200–300 at designated bank [15].
Attach Documents: Include Police Verification Report for Karachi/Larkana [15].
Submit: At district DC office (e.g., DC Central for Nazimabad residents).
Wait: 7–14 days—no online tracking [15][16].

3. Islamabad (Citizen Facilitation Center)

4. KPK (Manual Process)

Province	Fee (PKR)	Processing Time	Urgent Option
Punjab	200	16 days	❌
Sindh	200–300	7–14 days	❌
Islamabad	300	7 days	❌
KPK	250	15–30 days	❌

One Domicile Only: Illegal to hold multiple certificates—cancel old one first [3][16].
Sindh Scams: Verify DC office authenticity—fake domiciles rampant in Karachi [13].
Address Mismatch: If CNIC shows dual addresses, obtain NOC from "non-domicile" district [3].
Women Applicants: Married women need husband’s CNIC + marriage certificate [15][16].

Issue	Solution
"Father’s domicile unavailable"	Submit grandfather’s certificate + birth proof [15]
"Document rejected"	Re-attest with tehsil magistrate (not notary)
"Delay in verification"	Escalate to Assistant Commissioner (Saddar) [3]
"Deceased parent"	Submit death certificate + guardian’s documents [10]

Students: Sindh/KPK universities no longer require student domiciles—use father’s certificate [6][10].
Overseas Pakistanis: Apply via agencies like MamooInPakistan for document procurement [9].
Track Online: Punjab offers SMS tracking; other provinces require office visits.
Avoid Touts: Official fees ≤ Rs. 300—never pay "speed money" [15].

Prepare: CNIC, father’s domicile, utility bills, affidavit
Province Portal:
- Punjab: ekhidmat.punjab.gov.pk
- Islamabad: Citizen Center G-11/4
Pay Fee: Rs. 200–300 via bank challan
Submit: In-person at DC/e-Khidmat office
Collect: 7–30 days (save e-receipt!)