Domicile vs. Residence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on September 18, 2023
Domicile refers to a person's permanent legal home, while residence is where a person lives at a particular time.
Difference Between Domicile and Residence
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Domicile is the legal concept that denotes the place where an individual intends to make their permanent home and to which they intend to return after being temporarily absent. Residence, on the other hand, refers to a place where a person is living at a specific time, regardless of their intent to stay permanently.
A person can have multiple residences over time or even simultaneously, such as owning a summer home and a winter cabin. In contrast, one can only have one domicile at any given time. While your residence might change yearly or even more frequently, your domicile remains consistent until you decide to establish a new permanent home.
For legal and tax purposes, domicile is crucial. It determines which state's laws will apply in matters like estate planning or divorce and which state can tax an individual as a resident. Residence, while also relevant for certain legal or tax issues, is more transient in nature and may change based on lifestyle, work, or personal circumstances.
It's also worth noting that establishing a domicile involves an intent to make a place one's permanent home. For instance, going to college out of state doesn't automatically change a student's domicile. However, residence changes as soon as you start living in a new location, even if the move is temporary.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Permanent legal home.
Where a person lives at a particular time.
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Duration
Long-term, often permanent.
Can be short-term or long-term.
Number Possible
One at a time.
Multiple simultaneously.
Legal Implications
Influences state laws applied (tax, estate, etc.)
Might determine local tax rates or voting eligibility.
Change Requires
Intent to make a new permanent home.
Simply moving to a new location.
Compare with Definitions
Domicile
A person's established principal home.
Despite traveling frequently, his domicile is in Los Angeles.
Residence
Address or place of habitation.
Mail was delivered to his residence daily.
Domicile
Legal concept determining jurisdiction and tax obligations.
Changing one's domicile can impact estate taxes.
Residence
A place where an individual currently lives.
His residence for the summer is a beach house in Florida.
Domicile
Legal, permanent home to which a person intends to return.
Her domicile remains in Texas, even though she's studying in New York.
Residence
Temporary or permanent dwelling of a person.
She changed her residence when she relocated for work.
Domicile
Place of long-term intent and connection.
He moved to Europe but kept his domicile in the U.S.
Residence
Location where someone resides or stays.
The city requires proof of residence for certain services.
Domicile
A residence; a home.
Residence
A residence is a place (normally a building) used as a home or dwelling, where people reside.
Domicile
One's legal residence.
Residence
A person's home, especially a large and impressive one
The youth hostel has been adapted from a private residence
Domicile
To establish (oneself or another person) in a residence.
Residence
The place in which one lives; a dwelling.
Domicile
To provide with often temporary lodging.
Residence
The act or a period of residing in a place.
Domicile
To reside; dwell.
Residence
A medical residency.
Domicile
(formal) A home or residence.
The call to jury duty was sent to my legal domicile; too bad I was on vacation at the time.
Residence
The official home or location of a corporation.
Domicile
(legal) A residence at a particular place accompanied with an intention to remain there for an unlimited time; a residence accepted as a final abode.
Residence
The place where one lives (resides); one's home.
Domicile
To have a domicile in a particular place.
The answer depends on which state he was domiciled in at his death.
Residence
A building or portion thereof used as a home, such as a house#Noun or an apartment#Noun therein.
Domicile
An abode or mansion; a place of permanent residence, either of an individual or a family.
Residence
The place where a corporation is established.
Domicile
A residence at a particular place accompanied with an intention to remain there for an unlimited time; a residence accepted as a final abode.
Residence
The state of living in a particular place or environment.
Domicile
To establish in a fixed residence, or a residence that constitutes habitancy; to domiciliate.
Residence
Accommodation for students at a university or college.
Domicile
(law) the residence where where you have your permanent home or principal establishment and to where, whenever you are absent, you intend to return; every person is compelled to have one and and only one domicile at a time;
What's his legal residence?
Residence
The place where anything rests permanently.
Domicile
Housing that someone is living in;
He built a modest dwelling near the pond
They raise money to provide homes for the homeless
Residence
Subsidence, as of a sediment
Domicile
Make one's home or live in;
She resides officially in Iceland
I live in a 200-year old house
These people inhabited all the islands that are now deserted
The plains are sparsely populated
Residence
That which falls to the bottom of liquors; sediment; also, refuse; residuum.
Domicile
Location of principal residence and legal rights.
Her domicile determined where she could file for divorce.
Residence
(espionage) rezidentura
Residence
The act or fact of residing, abiding, or dwelling in a place for some continuance of time; as, the residence of an American in France or Italy for a year.
The confessor had often made considerable residences in Normandy.
Residence
The place where one resides; an abode; a dwelling or habitation; esp., a settled or permanent home or domicile.
Johnson took up his residence in London.
Residence
The residing of an incumbent on his benefice; - opposed to nonresidence.
Residence
The place where anything rests permanently.
But when a king sets himself to bandy against the highest court and residence of all his regal power, he then, . . . fights against his own majesty and kingship.
Residence
Subsidence, as of a sediment.
Residence
That which falls to the bottom of liquors; sediment; also, refuse; residuum.
Residence
Any address at which you dwell more than temporarily;
A person can have several residences
Residence
The official house or establishment of an important person (as a sovereign or president);
He refused to live in the governor's residence
Residence
The act of dwelling in a place
Residence
A large and imposing house
Residence
Physical location of a home or dwelling.
The family's residence has a beautiful view of the mountains.
Common Curiosities
What is Domicile?
Domicile is a person's permanent legal home.
How does Residence differ from Domicile?
Residence is where someone lives currently, while domicile is the intended permanent home.
How many Domiciles can a person have?
An individual can only have one domicile at a time.
Does going to college change your Domicile?
Not typically; attending college doesn't automatically shift one's domicile.
Can someone have multiple Residences?
Yes, one can have several residences at the same time.
Can a short vacation change my Residence?
No, temporary stays like vacations don't typically constitute a change in residence.
Is Domicile important for legal purposes?
Yes, domicile determines aspects like jurisdiction, tax obligations, and estate planning.
Can a hotel be considered a Residence?
Yes, if someone lives there for an extended period, it can be considered their residence.
Is Domicile based on the length of stay?
No, it's based on intent and connection to the location, not just duration.
How soon does Residence change after moving?
Residence changes as soon as you start living in a new location.
How can I change my Domicile?
By establishing and intending a new place as your permanent home.
Does Residence influence tax rates?
It can, especially local or city taxes and sometimes state taxes.
Why is Domicile a legal concept?
Because it affects matters like tax, estate planning, and which state laws apply in certain situations.
Do all countries use the concept of Domicile?
While many do, the specifics and implications of domicile vary globally.
How do Residence and Domicile affect voting?
Residence typically determines where you can vote locally, while domicile might determine state-level voting.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
