You can only have one permanent home. States often refer to this as your domicile.Domicile is intended to be permanent rather than temporary, whereas residence means living in a particular locality and requires mere physical presence. The state is your "domicile," the place you envision as your home and where you intend to return after any absences. A domicile is a person's permanent home. An affidavit of domicile certifies a person's state of residence at the time of death. This is an important distinction from where the person died. You are a resident if your permanent home is in Maryland (the law refers to this as your domicile) or your home is outside.