The state is your "domicile," the place you envision as your home and where you intend to return after any absences. You are a Michigan resident if your domicile is in Michigan.Your domicile is where you have your permanent home. You can't be domiciled in a state unless you have a residence there. Domicile is intended to be permanent rather than temporary, whereas residence means living in a particular locality and requires mere physical presence. L Meaning of Domicile. The term "domicile" has a special legal definition that is not the same as residence. Difference Between Domicile vs. ​​ Under California law, a domicile is your permanent legal home.