What is a Residence Affidavit?
A residence affidavit (nivash shapat patra) is a legally sworn declaration in which a person declares their place of residence under oath.
It is commonly used as proof of residence when other traditional address proofs — such as an electricity bill, ration card, or rent agreement — are unavailable, outdated, or don't match the applicant's name. Banks, government offices, schools, and institutions accept a notarized residence affidavit as valid proof.
Note: A residence affidavit is a self-declaration sworn before a Notary Public. It works best when accompanied by supporting documents like Aadhaar, a utility bill, or a rent agreement.
When is a Residence Affidavit Required?
A residence affidavit is commonly required in the following situations:
- Bank account opening — When you can't provide a utility bill in your name
- Bank KYC update — For existing accounts where address needs re-verification
- Government schemes — PM Awas, Ration Card, Ayushman Bharat
- School/College admission — For proof of residence during admission
- Employment verification — During joining formalities and background checks
- Passport application — When other address proofs don't match
- Voter ID registration — As supporting residence proof
- Driving License — At RTO as address proof
- Insurance claims — Where residence proof is required
- Mobile SIM / DTH — For address verification
- Government job applications — Where residency is a criterion
- Legal proceedings — As supporting evidence in court
Documents Required for Residence Affidavit
Keep the following documents ready before you begin:
- Aadhaar card
- PAN card
- Any existing address proof (electricity bill, rent agreement)
- Ration card (if available)
- Passport-size photographs (2 copies)
- Two witnesses with valid ID proof
- Non-judicial stamp paper (₹10 / ₹20 / ₹50 / ₹100)
- Landlord's NOC (if tenant)
Residence Affidavit Format — What It Contains
A standard residence affidavit format typically includes the following information:
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Deponent Name | Full legal name of the person declaring residence |
| Father's / Husband's Name | Relation and name |
| Current Address | Complete residential address with PIN code |
| Date of Birth | As per Aadhaar / birth certificate |
| Occupation | Job, business, student, etc. |
| Residence Since | Number of years/months at current address |
| Purpose | Bank KYC / Government / Employment / General |
| Declaration | Sworn statement that the residence is correct |
| Place & Date | Where and when the affidavit is signed |
| Signature | Deponent + two witnesses |
| Notary Verification | Notary stamp, registration number & seal |
How to Make a Residence Affidavit — Step by Step
- Fill the online form on AffidavitFormat.com with your name, father's name, current address, residence duration, and other personal details.
- Choose your language — Hindi, English, or bilingual (Dwibhashi).
- Select the correct stamp paper value for your state — ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, or ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper.
- Click Preview to review the affidavit. Check the address carefully — spelling mistakes can cause rejection.
- Print the affidavit on the selected stamp paper. Use e-stamp paper from the SHCIL portal if needed.
- Sign before a Notary Public along with two witnesses. The notary will verify identity and apply their seal.
- Attach supporting documents — Aadhaar, rent agreement, utility bill, etc. — as required by the receiving authority.
- Submit to the authority — bank, government office, passport office, school, or employer.
Residence Affidavit vs Address Proof Affidavit
Both documents are similar in purpose. Here is a quick comparison:
| Feature | Residence Affidavit | Address Proof Affidavit |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Declare place of residence | Prove residential address |
| Focus | Residence claim | Address verification |
| Common Use | Banks, schools, employment | Banks, government offices |
| Legal Weight | Equal | Equal |
| Format | Similar | Similar |
Tip: When in doubt, ask the receiving authority which format they prefer — residence affidavit or address proof affidavit. Both are legally equivalent.
Documents Accepted as Residence Proof in India
Here is a quick reference of documents typically accepted as residence proof:
| Document | Accepted By |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | Banks, Government, Passport |
| Passport | Banks, Government |
| Voter ID | Banks, Government |
| Driving License | Banks, Government |
| Electricity / Water Bill | Banks, Government |
| Ration Card | Government schemes |
| Rent Agreement | Banks, Government |
| Bank Statement with Address | Banks, Government |
| Residence Affidavit (notarized) | Banks, Government, Schools |
Important Points to Remember
- The address must be accurate — cross-check PIN code, street name, and flat/house number.
- Use the correct stamp paper value as per your state's rules.
- Attach supporting documents — Aadhaar, rent agreement, or utility bill — to strengthen your case.
- Sign only in front of the Notary with two witnesses present.
- Keep multiple notarized copies for future use.
- Some banks require the affidavit within 3-6 months of submission.
- Never provide a false residence declaration — it can lead to rejection or legal issues.
Legal Tip: If you live in a rented house and don't have a rent agreement, a residence affidavit combined with a landlord's NOC is a strong alternative. Ask your landlord for a utility bill copy as well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A residence affidavit is a sworn legal declaration in which a person declares their place of residence under oath. It is commonly used as proof of residence for banks, government offices, schools, and other institutions.
A residence affidavit is required when you need to prove your place of residence for bank account opening, KYC, government schemes, school/college admission, employment, passport, or any official purpose where other address proofs are unavailable or insufficient.
Yes. A residence affidavit is legally valid in India when it is printed on non-judicial stamp paper, signed by the deponent, witnessed by two witnesses, and notarized by a licensed Notary Public.
You need Aadhaar card, PAN card, any existing address proof, two passport-size photos, two witnesses with valid ID proof, and non-judicial stamp paper of the applicable value.
Both are similar in purpose and often used interchangeably. Address proof affidavit and residence affidavit both declare that a person resides at a particular address. Some authorities may prefer one term over the other based on their specific requirements.
The affidavit format is free on AffidavitFormat.com. You only pay for the non-judicial stamp paper (₹10 to ₹100) and notary charges (usually ₹50 to ₹200).
Yes. A notarized residence affidavit is commonly accepted as address proof by banks, government offices, and institutions, especially when combined with a valid photo ID like Aadhaar or PAN.
Many banks accept a notarized residence affidavit for KYC purposes, especially for address proof, along with a valid photo ID. Each bank may have specific requirements, so confirm with your bank.
A residence affidavit format includes the deponent's details (name, father's name, current address, DOB), residence since years, declaration of the residence, place, date, signature, witness signatures, and notary verification.
Yes. AffidavitFormat.com provides the residence affidavit in Hindi, English, and bilingual (Dwibhashi) formats, which you can print directly from your browser.
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