Am I a Norwegian citizen?
This page contains information regarding former rules concerning how to become Norwegian at birth and when Norwegian citizenship was automatically revoked. You will also find information on how you can document that you became Norwegian when you were born, and whether you have lost your Norwegian citizenship at a later time.
If you need to document that you are Norwegian, you can find out how to do so by consulting the following:
- Norwegian at birth. When did you become Norwegian? and
- Loss of Norwegian citizenship because you acquired another citizenship. When did you become a citizen of another country? and
- Retaining Norwegian citizenship after 22. When did you reach the age of 22?
You must document both that you became Norwegian (No 1), and that you have not lost subsequently your Norwegian citizenship (Nos 2 and 3).
Norwegian at birth. When did you become Norwegian?
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Born after 1 September 2006
If you were born on or after 1 September 2006, you became Norwegian at birth provided that your mother or father was Norwegian when you were born.
Documentation
You must have a birth certificate and you must be able to document that at least one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born.
If your father was the one who was Norwegian, you must document paternity. If your parents were married when you were born, you must provide a marriage certificate. If your parents were not married, or if they married after your birth, you must provide documentation showing that paternity has been established by the correct Norwegian authority. See "Who is deemed to be the father in citizenship cases?" for more information.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 10 June 2005".
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Born between 1 July 1979 and 1 August 2006
If you were born between 1 July 1979 and 1 August 2006, you became Norwegian at birth provided that your mother was Norwegian when you were born. You also became Norwegian if your father was Norwegian when you were born, provided that your father was married to your mother when you were born. If only your father was Norwegian and your parents married after you were born, but before you reached the age of 18, and before 31 August 2006, you became Norwegian from the point in time your parents became married.
If your father was Norwegian and not married to your mother, your parents could submit a notification of citizenship before you reached the age of 18 (notification of citizenship). This was only possible from 1 October 1999. This means that if you have a letter of decision or a certificate stating that you became Norwegian through notification, you became Norwegian when the Norwegian authorities received the notification.
Documentation
You must have a birth certificate and be able to document that at least one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born.
If your father or both your parents were Norwegian you must submit your parents’ marriage certificate (applies whether they were married when you were born or if they married before you reached the age of 18).
If you became Norwegian through notification, you must submit a certificate of Norwegian citizenship.
If you no longer have the certificate of Norwegian citizenship, you may contact the County Governor, the National Archives of Norway or UDI.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 8 December 1950” (with amendments to the wording in Section 1)".
Regarding notification of citizenship by father, see «Guidelines for processing citizenship cases in pursuance of the Norwegian Nationality Act (sections 1a and 2a) (external website)».
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Born between 1 July 1961 and 30 June 1979
If you were born between 1 July 1961 and 30 June 1979, you became Norwegian at birth provided that your father was Norwegian and also married to your mother when you were born. If only your father was Norwegian and your parents married after you were born, but before you reached the age of 18, you became Norwegian from the point in time your parents became married.Alternatively, you became Norwegian when you were born if your mother was Norwegian but not married at the time of your birth. If your mother was Norwegian, married and you did not acquire citizenship from your father when you were born, then you still became Norwegian at birth provided you were born in Norway.If your mother was Norwegian but married to a man who was not Norwegian, then your mother had the possibility of submitting notification of citizenship before you reached the age of 18 (notification of citizenship by mother). This only become possible as of 1 July 1979. If you have a decision or a certificate that you became Norwegian by notification, you became Norwegian from the date the Norwegian authorities received the notification. If you became a Norwegian citizen through notification from your mother and were born abroad, you are among those people who may lose their Norwegian citizenship at 22 years of age if you had not stayed in Norway long enough before turning 22.Documentation
You must have a birth certificate and be able to document that at least one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born.If your father or both your parents were Norwegian you must submit your parents’ marriage certificate (applies whether they were married when you were born or if they married before you reached the age of 18).If only your mother was Norwegian you must submit documentation that shows that your parents were not married when you were born.If you became Norwegian through notification you must submit a certificate of Norwegian citizenship.If you no longer have the certificate of Norwegian citizenship you may contact the County Governor by email at sfovpost@statsforvalteren.no.You may also contact the National Archives of Norway by email at postmottak@arkivverket.no.The National Archives of Norway (external website) stores documentation on cases involving Norwegian citizenship in the years from 1889 to 1984.Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 8 December 1950".Regarding notification of citizenship by mother, see "Guidelines for processing citizenship cases", chapter 3 (external website) (G-28/99 Retningslinjer for behandling av statsborgersaker, kapittel 3). -
Born between 1 January 1951 and 30 June 1961
If you were born between 1 January 1951 and 30 June 1961, you became Norwegian at birth provided that your father was Norwegian and also married to your mother when you were born. If only your father was Norwegian and your parents married after you were born, but before you reached the age of 18, you became Norwegian from the point in time your parents became married.
Alternatively, you became Norwegian at birth if your mother was Norwegian, but not married, when you were born. If your mother was Norwegian, married and you did not acquire citizenship from your father when you were born, then you still became Norwegian at birth provided you were born in Norway.
Documentation
You must have a birth certificate and be able to document that at least one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born.
If your father or both your parents were Norwegian you must submit your parents’ marriage certificate (applies whether they were married when you were born or if they married before you reached the age of 18).
If only your mother was Norwegian you must submit documentation that shows that your parents were not married when you were born.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 8 December 1950".
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Born between 1 January 1925 and 31 December 1950
If you were born between 1 January 1925 and 31 December 1950, you became Norwegian at birth if your father was Norwegian when you were born and he was married to your mother.
You also became Norwegian at birth if your mother was Norwegian when you were born, but not married.
Documentation
You must have a birth certificate and be able to document that at least one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born.
If your father or if both your parents were Norwegian you must submit your parents’ marriage certificate.
If only your mother was Norwegian you must submit documentation that shows that your parents were not married when you were born.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 8 August 1924, no 3".
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Born before 1 January 1925
If you were born before 1 January 1925, you became Norwegian at birth if your father or mother were Norwegian when you were born, and your parents were married. You also became Norwegian at birth if your mother was Norwegian, but not married, when you were born.
If only your father was Norwegian and your parents married after you were born, but before you reached the age of 18, you became Norwegian from the point in time your parents became married.
Documentation
You must have a birth certificate and be able to document that at least one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born.
If only your father was Norwegian you must submit your parents’ marriage certificate.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act XX of 21 April 1888".
2. Loss of Norwegian citizenship due to acquisition of another nationality. When did you become a citizen of another country?
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As of 1 January 2020
As of 1 January 2020, it became legal to become a national of another country in addition to Norway (dual citizenship). You have not lost your Norwegian citizenship if you became a citizen of another country on or after 1 January 2020.
In order to be able to document that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship when you became a citizen of another country, you only need to document that you acquired the other nationality on or after 1 January 2020.
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Between 1 September 2006 and 31 December 2019
If you became a citizen of another country between 1 September 2006 and 31 December 2019, then you lost your Norwegian citizenship if you or your parents applied, or gave consent, for you to become a citizen in that other country after you were born.
You have also lost your Norwegian citizenship if you automatically became a citizen of another country because:
- one of your parents acquired citizenship in that country after applying for it, and
- the same parent had parental responsibility for you, and
- the other parent was not a Norwegian national.
You have not lost your Norwegian citizenship if you automatically became a citizen of another country:
- when you were born (acquisition of dual citizenship at birth), or
- because you married a national of another country, or
- because one of your parents became a citizen of another country and the same parent had no parental responsibility, or
- because one of your parents who shared parental responsibility became a citizen of another country and your other parent was still a Norwegian national.
Documentation requirements
Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship
You must submit documentation from the authorities of the other country whose nationality you acquired which states when you became a citizen of the other country, and that citizenship was granted automatically on the basis of the criteria listed above.
If you do not have any such documentation, you may submit a printout of the legislation relating to citizenship in the other country where you are a citizen that shows the clauses under which you became a citizen of the other country. In addition, you must submit documentation showing that you became a citizen of the other country on the basis of those particular clauses.
If you acquired another citizenship at birth through one of your parents, the following documentation may be acceptable:
- a birth certificate and documentation showing that one of your parents was a citizen of the country when you were born.
If you acquired citizenship at birth because you were born in that country:
- a birth certificate, passport or other documentation showing that you were born in that country.
If you acquired citizenship automatically after you were born:
- documentation showing that the parent with the same citizenship you acquired did not have parental responsibility for you or that your other parent was still a Norwegian national.
If you acquired citizenship through marriage with a foreign national:
- a marriage certificate and documentation showing that you became a national of that country because you entered into marriage without any possibility of opposing becoming a citizen of the other country.
Documentation showing that you have lost your Norwegian citizenship
If you became a citizen of another country after you applied, or after your parents applied on your behalf, for the other citizenship, the following documentation may be acceptable:
- letter of decision/certificate/confirmation from the authorities of the country where you became a citizen showing when and how you became a citizen of that country.
If you automatically acquired citizenship in another country because one of your parents became a citizen of that country, you must also document that the parent through whom you acquired citizenship had parental responsibility for you and that the other parent was not Norwegian.
Acceptable documentation may include:
- confirmation from the authorities of the country where you became a citizen showing that you automatically became a citizen at the same time that one of your parents became a citizen of that country, and
- documentation showing which of your parents had parental responsibility for you, and
- documentation showing that neither of your parents continued to be a Norwegian citizen.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 10 June 2005".
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Between 11 March 1999 and 31 August 2006
If you became a citizen of another country between 11 March 1999 and 31 August 2006, then you lost your Norwegian citizenship if you or your parents applied, or gave consent, for you to become a citizen in the other country after you were born.
You have lost your citizenship if your parents applied for you to become a citizen of another country before you reached the age of 18, and no parent with parental responsibility for you remained Norwegian after you became a citizen of the other country.
You have also lost your Norwegian citizenship if you automatically became a citizen of another country because:
- one of your parents acquired citizenship in the country after applying for it, and
- the same parent had parental responsibility for you, and
- the other parent was not a Norwegian national or did not have parental responsibility for you.
You have not lost your Norwegian citizenship if you automatically became a citizen of another country:
- when you were born (acquisition of dual citizenship at birth), or
- because you married a citizen of another country, or
- because one of your parents became a citizen of another country and the same parent had no parental responsibility, or
- because one of your parents who had a part in the overall parental responsibility for you became a citizen of another country and your other parent, who also had parental responsibility for you, was still a Norwegian national.
Also, you have not lost citizenship if your parents applied for you to become a citizen of another country before you reached the age of 18, and at least one of your parents, who had parental responsibility for you, remained Norwegian.
Documentation requirements
Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship
You must submit documentation from the authorities in the other country whose nationality you acquired confirming when you became a citizen of that other country and that citizenship was granted automatically:
- when you were born (acquisition of dual citizenship at birth), or
- because you married a citizen of another country, or
- because one of your parents became a citizen of another country and the same parent had no parental responsibility, or
- because one of your parents who had a part in the overall parental responsibility for you became a citizen of another country and your other parent, who also had parental responsibility for you, was still a Norwegian national.
If you do not have any such documentation, you may submit a printout of the legislation relating to citizenship in the other country where you are a citizen that shows the clauses under which you became a citizen of the other country. In addition, you must submit documentation showing that you became a citizen of the other country on the basis of those particular clauses.
If you acquired another citizenship at birth through one of your parents, the following documentation may be acceptable:
- a birth certificate and documentation showing that one of your parents was a citizen of that country when you were born.
If you acquired citizenship at birth because you were born in that country:
- a birth certificate, passport or other documentation showing that you were born in that country.
If you acquired citizenship automatically after you were born:
- documentation showing that the parent with the same citizenship you acquired did not have parental responsibility for you, or
- documentation showing that your other parent was still a Norwegian national and had parental responsibility for you when you became a citizen of the other country.
If you acquired citizenship through marriage with a foreign national:
- a marriage certificate and documentation showing that you became a national of that country because you entered into marriage without any possibility of opposing becoming a citizen of the other country.
If you acquired another citizenship because your parents applied for citizenship for you before you reached the age of 18:
- letter of decision/certificate/confirmation from the authorities of the country where you became a citizen showing when and how you became a citizen of that country, and
- documentation showing that at least one of your parents, who had parental responsibility for you, remained Norwegian.
Documentation showing that you have lost your Norwegian citizenship
If you became a citizen of another country after applying for citizenship:
- letter of decision/certificate/confirmation from the authorities of the country where you became a citizen showing when and how you became a citizen of that country.
If you became a citizen of another country after your parents applied for the other citizenship on your behalf:
- letter of decision/certificate/confirmation from the authorities of the country where you became a citizen showing when and how you became a citizen of that country, and
- documentation showing that no parent with parental responsibility for you remained Norwegian after you became a citizen of the other country.
If you automatically acquired citizenship in another country because one of your parents became a citizen of that country, then you must submit some type of documentation from the authorities of that country that can confirm that:
- you automatically became a citizen at the same time as one of your parents became a national of that country, and
- the parent whose other nationality you acquired had parental responsibility for you, and
- no parent with parental responsibility for you continued to be a Norwegian national.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 8 December 1950" (with amendments to the wording in Section 1).
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Between 1 January 1951 and 10 March 1999
If you became a citizen of another country between 1 January 1951 and 10 March 1999, then you lost your Norwegian citizenship if you or your parents applied, or gave consent, for you to become a citizen in the other country after you were born.
You have also lost your Norwegian citizenship if you automatically became a citizen of another country because:
- one of your parents acquired citizenship in the country after applying for it, and
- the same parent had parental responsibility for you, and
- the other parent was not a Norwegian national or did not have parental responsibility for you.
You have not lost your Norwegian citizenship if you automatically became a citizen of another country:
- when you were born (acquisition of dual citizenship at birth), or
- because you married a citizen of another country, or
- because one of your parents became a citizen of another country and the same parent had no parental responsibility, or
- because one of your parents who had a part in the overall parental responsibility for you became a citizen of another country and your other parent, who also had parental responsibility for you, was still a Norwegian national.
Documentation requirements
Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship
Dokumentasjon på at du ikke har tapt ditt norske statsborgerskap
You must submit documentation from the authorities in the other country whose nationality you acquired which states when you became a citizen of that other country, and that citizenship was granted automatically:
- when you were born (acquisition of dual citizenship at birth), or
- because you married a national of another country, or
- because one of your parents became a citizen of another country and the same parent did not share any parental responsibility, or
- because one of your parents who had a part in the overall parental responsibility for you became a citizen of another country and your other parent, who also had parental responsibility for you, was still a Norwegian national.
If you do not have any such documentation, you may submit a printout of the legislation relating to citizenship in the other country where you are a citizen that shows the clauses under which you became a citizen of the other country. In addition, you must submit documentation showing that you became a citizen of the other country on the basis of those particular clauses.
If you acquired another citizenship at birth through one of your parents, the following documentation may be acceptable:
- a birth certificate and documentation showing that one of your parents was a citizen of the country when you were born.
If you acquired citizenship at birth because you were born in that country:
- a birth certificate, passport or other documentation showing that you were born in that country.
If you acquired citizenship automatically after you were born:
- documentation showing that the parent with the same citizenship you acquired did not have parental responsibility for you, or
- documentation showing that your other parent was still a Norwegian national and had parental responsibility for you when you became a citizen of the other country.
- hadde foreldreansvar for deg da du ble borger av det andre landet
If you acquired citizenship through marriage with a foreign national:
- a marriage certificate and documentation showing that you became a national of that country because you entered into marriage without any possibility of opposing becoming a citizen of the other country.
Documentation showing that you have lost your Norwegian citizenship
If you became a citizen of another country after your parents applied for the other citizenship on your behalf:
- letter of decision/certificate/confirmation from the authorities of the country where you became a citizen showing when and how you became a citizen of that country.
If you automatically acquired citizenship in another country because one of your parents became a citizen of that country, then you must submit some type of documentation from the authorities of that country that can confirm that:
- you automatically became a citizen at the same time that one of your parents became a citizen of that country, and
- the parent whose other nationality you acquired had parental responsibility for you, and
- no parent with parental responsibility for you continued to be a Norwegian national.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 8 December 1950".
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Between 1 January 1925 and 31 December 1950
If you became a citizen of another country between 1 January 1925 and 31 December 1950, then you lost your Norwegian citizenship if you became a citizen of another country after you were born, and you resided abroad when you became a citizen of another country.
You have also lost your Norwegian citizenship if you moved from Norway after acquiring citizenship in another country.
You have not lost your Norwegian citizenship if you have only resided in Norway after you acquired another country’s citizenship or if you moved from Norway after 31 December 1950.
Documentation requirements
Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship
You must submit documentation from the authorities of the other country whose nationality you acquired which shows that you automatically became a citizen of that other country when you were born.
If you do not have any such documentation, you may submit a printout of the legislation relating to citizenship in the other country where you are a citizen that shows the clauses under which you became a citizen of the other country. In addition, you must submit documentation showing that you became a citizen of the other country on the basis of those particular clauses.
If you acquired another citizenship at birth through one of your parents, the following documentation may be acceptable:
- a birth certificate and documentation showing that one of your parents was a citizen of the country when you were born.
If you acquired citizenship at birth because you were born in that country:
- a birth certificate, passport or other documentation showing that you were born in that country.
If you had not moved from Norway before 1 January 1951:
- school records, birth certificate, baptism certificate, written statement about where you have lived since you became a citizen of the other country.
Documentation showing that you have lost your Norwegian citizenship
If you became a citizen of another country after your parents applied for the other citizenship on your behalf, acceptable documentation may include:
- letter of decision/certificate/confirmation from the authorities of the country where you became a citizen showing when and how you became a citizen of that country, and
- school records, birth certificate, baptism certificate, written statement attesting to the fact that you lived abroad when you became a citizen of another country, or that you moved from Norway before 1 January 1951.
If you automatically acquired the nationality of another country after you were born because one of your parents became a citizen of that country, acceptable documentation may include:
- letter of decision/certificate/confirmation from the authorities of the country where you became a citizen showing that you became a citizen automatically at the same time that one of your parents became a citizen of that country, and
- school records, birth certificate, baptism certificate, written statement attesting to the fact that you lived abroad when you became a citizen of another country, or that you moved from Norway before 1 January 1951.
If you automatically acquired the nationality of another country because you married a national of that country, acceptable documentation may include:
- letter of decision/certificate/confirmation from the authorities of the country where you became a citizen showing that you became a citizen automatically because of marriage, and
- school records, birth certificate, baptism certificate, written statement attesting to the fact that you lived abroad when you became a citizen of another country, or that you moved from Norway before 1 January 1951.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 8 August 1924, no 3".
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Before 1 January 1925
If you became a citizen of another country before 1 January 1925, then you lost your Norwegian citizenship if you became a citizen of another country after you were born.
Documentation requirements
Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship
In order to verify that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship you must have documentation showing that you became a citizen of the other country when you were born (dual citizenship at birth) and that you were born before 1 January 1925.
Acceptable documentation may include:
- documentation from the authorities in the other country whose nationality you acquired, or
- a printout of the legislation relating to citizenship in the other country where you are a citizen that shows the clauses under which you became a citizen of that country.
Examples of documentation that may be acceptable if you acquired citizenship through a parent include:
- a birth certificate and documentation showing that one of your parents was a citizen of the country when you were born.
Examples of documentation that may be acceptable if you acquired citizenship because you were born in another country:
- birth certificate, passport or other documentation showing that you were born in the other country.
Documentation showing that you have lost your Norwegian citizenship
In order to be able to document that you have lost your Norwegian citizenship you must be able to show that you acquired the other nationality before 1 January 1925 and that you did not become a citizen of that country at birth.
Acceptable documentation may include:
- letter of decision/certificate/confirmation from the authorities of the country where you became a citizen showing when and how you became a citizen of that country.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act XX of 21 April 1888".
3. Retaining Norwegian citizenship after 22. When did you reach the age of 22?
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Reached the age of 22 on or after 1 September 2006
If you reached 22 years of age after 1 September anytime on or after 1 September 2006 then you automatically lost your Norwegian citizenship on your 22nd birthday if you:
- had not acquired Norwegian citizenship when you were born, and
- hold another citizenship in addition to Norwegian, and
- have not resided in Norway for a total of two years or in one or more Nordic countries for a total of seven years before reaching the age of 22.
You do not lose your citizenship, however, if you have applied to retain your Norwegian citizenship and you have received a letter of decision from UDI affirming that you were allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship after reaching 22 years of age (retention of citizenship).
Documentation requirements
Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship
If you acquired Norwegian citizenship after you were born because you or your parents either applied for, or submitted notification of, citizenship on your behalf, acceptable documentation may include:
- letter of decision/certificate from Norwegian authorities showing when and how you became a citizen of Norway.
If you became Norwegian because you were adopted by a Norwegian citizen:
- you must have been under the age of 18 at the time of adoption, and you must be registered as a Norwegian citizen in the National Population Register (external website).
If you automatically acquired Norwegian citizenship when your parents entered into marriage (applies only if you were born before 1 September 2006), then you must provide:
- documentation showing that only your father was Norwegian when you were born, and
- a marriage certificate showing that your parents entered into marriage after you were born, but before you reached the age of 18 and before 1 September 2006.
If you had no other citizenship than Norwegian when you reached the age of 22, then you must document that you hold a residence permit in the country where you live (does not apply if you reside in Norway). If only one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born, then you must also document that you have not acquired citizenship in the country where your other parent is a citizen.
Documentation that shows that you are not a citizen in your country of residence:
- printout from the country’s national registry showing that you are not a citizen, or
- other documentation showing that you are not a citizen in your country of residence.
Documentation that shows that you are not a citizen of your other parent’s country of residence (if only one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born):
- verification from the country where your other parent is a citizen that shows that you are not a citizen of that country, or
- a printout of the legislation relating to citizenship in the other country where your parent is a citizen that shows that you did not acquire citizenship in that country at birth.
If you have resided in Norway for a total of two years before reaching the age of 22:
- this must be registered in the National Population Register (external website).
If you have resided for a total of seven years in Norway or in other Nordic countries before reaching 22 years of age, you must submit:
- a printout of the national registry of the Nordic country or countries where you have resided.
If you have received a letter of decision affirming that you are allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship (retention of citizenship), you must:
- submit documentation of the decision issued by UDI.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 10 June 2005".
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Reached the age of 22 between 1 October 2001 and 31 August 2006
If you reached the age of 22 between 1 October 2001 and 31 August 2006, then you automatically lost your Norwegian citizenship on your 22nd birthday if you:
- acquired Norwegian citizenship when you were born, and
- were born outside Norway, and
- hold another citizenship in addition to Norwegian, and
- did not reside in Norway when you reached the age of 22, and
- had not resided Norway long enough before reaching the age of 22.
You have resided long enough in Norway if you have:
- resided in Norway for at least two years before reaching the age of 12, or
- attended school or been employed in Norway or other Nordic countries for a total of seven years before reaching the age of 22, or
- resided in Norway or other Nordic countries for a total of seven years before reaching the age of 22, or
- had yearly holiday stays in Norway averaging more than one month throughout most of your childhood, or
- had some holiday stays of over one month and at least one extended stay of longer than two months in Norway after reaching the age of 12 and before the age of 22, or
- completed military service in the Norwegian Armed Forces before reaching the age of 22.
You do not lose your citizenship, however, if you have applied to retain your Norwegian citizenship and you have received a letter of decision from UDI affirming that you were allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship after reaching 22 years of age (retention of citizenship).
Documentation requirements
Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship
If you acquired Norwegian citizenship after you were born because you or your parents either applied for, or submitted notification of, citizenship on your behalf, acceptable documentation may include:
- letter of decision/certificate from Norwegian authorities showing when and how you became a citizen of Norway.
If you became Norwegian because you were adopted by a Norwegian citizen:
- you must have been under the age of 18 at the time of adoption, and you must be registered as a Norwegian citizen in the National Population Register.
If you automatically acquired Norwegian citizenship when your parents entered into marriage, then you must provide:
- documentation showing that only your father was Norwegian when you were born, and
- a marriage certificate showing that your parents entered into marriage after you were born, but before you reached the age of 18 and before 1 September 2006.
If you had no other citizenship than Norwegian when you reached the age of 22, then you must document that you hold a residence permit in the country where you live (does not apply if you reside in Norway). If only one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born, then you must also provide documentation verifying that you have not acquired citizenship in the country where your other parent is a citizen.
Documentation that shows that you are not a citizen in your country of residence:
- printout of the country’s national registry showing that you are not a citizen, or
- other documentation showing that you are not a citizen in your country of residence.
Documentation that shows that you are not a citizen of your other parent’s country of residence (if only one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born):
- verification from the country where your other parent is a citizen that shows that you are not a citizen of that country, or a printout of the legislative framework covering citizenship in the other country where your parent is a citizen that shows that you did not acquire citizenship in that country at birth.
If you were born in Norway:
- birth certificate or baptism certificate showing where you were born.
If you were living in Norway when you reached the age of 22:
- this must be registered in the National Population Register.
If you have lived in Norway for a total of two years before reaching the age of 12:
- this must be registered in the National Population Register.
If you attended school or were employed in Norway for at least six months after reaching the age of 12, but before reaching the age of 22:
- transcripts or confirmation from your school
- confirmation, letter of reference or the like from your employer
If you have resided for a total of seven years in Norway and other Nordic countries before reaching 22 years of age, you must submit:
- a printout of the national registry of the Nordic country or countries where you have resided.
If you had yearly holiday stays in Norway of over one month throughout most of your childhood:
- a written statement describing your holiday stays (where you were, who you visited, what you did, etc.), or
- if available, photos, plane tickets or statements from relatives and others
If you had any holiday stays of over one month and at least one extended stay of longer than two months in Norway after reaching the age of 12 and before the age of 22:
- a written statement describing your holiday stays (where you were, who you visited, what you did, etc.), or
- photos, plane tickets or statements from relatives and others
If you have completed military service in the Norwegian Armed Forces before reaching the age of 22:
- military service book (vernepliktsbok) or other form of confirmation from the Norwegian Armed Forces
If you have received a letter of decision affirming that you are allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship (retention of citizenship), you must:
- submit documentation of the decision from UDI
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 8 December 1950".
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Reached the age of 22 between 1 January 1951 and 30 September 2001
If you reached the age of 22 between 1 January 1951 and 30 September 2001, then you automatically lost your Norwegian citizenship on your 22nd birthday if you:
- acquired Norwegian citizenship when you were born, and
- were born outside Norway, and
- did not reside in Norway when you reached the age of 22, and
- had not resided in Norway long enough before reaching the age of 22.
You have resided long enough in Norway if you have:
- resided in Norway for at least two years before reaching the age of 12, or
- attended school or been employed in Norway for at least six months after reaching the age of 12, but before reaching the age of 22, or
- resided in Norway or other Nordic countries for a total of seven years before reaching the age of 22, or
- had yearly holiday stays in Norway averaging more than one month throughout most of your childhood, or
- had some holiday stays of over one month and at least one extended stay of longer than two months in Norway after reaching the age of 12 and before the age of 22, or
- completed military service in the Norwegian Armed Forces before reaching the age of 22.
You do not lose your citizenship, however, if you have applied to retain your Norwegian citizenship and you have received a letter of decision from UDI or the Ministry of Justice and Public Security affirming that you were allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship after reaching 22 years of age (retention of citizenship).
Documentation
Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship
If you acquired Norwegian citizenship after you were born because you or your parents either applied for, or submitted notification of, citizenship on your behalf, acceptable documentation may include:
- letter of decision/certificate from Norwegian authorities showing when and how you became a citizen of Norway.
If you became Norwegian because you were adopted by a Norwegian citizen:
- you must have been under the age of 18 at the time of adoption, and you must be registered as a Norwegian citizen in the National Population Register.
If you automatically acquired Norwegian citizenship when your parents entered into marriage, then you must provide:
- documentation showing that only your father was Norwegian when you were born, and
- a marriage certificate showing that your parents entered into marriage after you were born, but before you reached the age of 18 and before 1 September 2006.
If you were born in Norway:
- birth certificate or baptism certificate showing where you were born.
If you were living in Norway when you reached the age of 22:
- this must be registered in the National Population Register.
If you have lived in Norway for a total of two years before reaching the age of 12:
- this must be registered in the National Population Register.
If you attended school or were employed in Norway for at least six months after reaching the age of 12, but before reaching the age of 22:
- transcripts or confirmation from your school,
- confirmation, letter of reference or the like from your employer
If you have resided for a total of seven years in Norway and other Nordic countries before reaching 22 years of age, you must submit:
- a printout from the national registry of the Nordic country or countries where you have resided.
If you had yearly holiday stays in Norway of over one month throughout most of your childhood:
- a written statement describing your holiday stays (where you were, who you visited, what you did, etc.), or
- if available, photos, plane tickets or statements from relatives and others
If you had any holiday stays of over one month and at least one extended stay of longer than two months in Norway after reaching the age of 12 and before the age of 22:
- a written statement describing your holiday stays (where you were, who you visited, what you did, etc.), or
- photos, plane tickets or statements from relatives and others
If you have completed military service in the Norwegian Armed Forces before reaching the age of 22:
- military service book (vernepliktsbok) or other form of confirmation from the Norwegian Armed Forces.
If you have received a letter of decision affirming that you are allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship (retention of citizenship), you must:
- submit documentation of the decision issued by UDI or the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 8 December 1950".
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Reached the age of 22 between 1 January 1925 and 31 December 1950
If you reached the age of 22 between 1 January 1925 and 31 December 1950 then you automatically lost your Norwegian citizenship on your 22nd birthday if you:
- acquired Norwegian citizenship when you were born, and
- were born outside Norway, and
- have not resided in Norway before reaching 22 years of age.
If your father or your husband lost their Norwegian citizenship when reaching the age of 22, then you lost your citizenship as well.
If your mother lost her Norwegian citizenship when reaching the age of 22, and she was not married to your father, then you lost your citizenship as well.
You do not lose your citizenship, however, if you have applied to retain your Norwegian citizenship and you have received a letter of decision from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security affirming that you were allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship after reaching 22 years of age (retention of citizenship).
Documentation requirements
Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship
If you acquired Norwegian citizenship after you were born because you or your parents either applied for, or submitted notification of, citizenship on your behalf, acceptable documentation may include:
- letter of decision/certificate from Norwegian authorities showing when and how you became a citizen of Norway.
If you automatically acquired Norwegian citizenship when your parents entered into marriage, then you must provide:
- documentation showing that only your father was Norwegian when you were born, and
- a marriage certificate showing that your parents entered into marriage after you were born, but before you reached the age of 18.
If you were born in Norway:
- birth certificate or baptism certificate showing where you were born.
If you were born abroad, you must document that you have resided in Norway before reaching the age of 22. Acceptable documentation may include:
- military service book (vernepliktsbok) or other form of confirmation from the Norwegian Armed Forces, or
- transcripts or confirmation from your school showing that you have completed an education in Norway, or
- confirmation, letter of reference or the like from your employer showing that you have worked in Norway, or
- written statement outlining where and how long you have resided in Norway, or
- a copy of an old passport showing that you have lived in Norway, photos, statements from relatives and others.
- andre.
If you have received a letter of decision affirming that you are allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship (retention of citizenship):
- letter of decision/certificate from Norwegian authorities showing that you were allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 8 August 1924, no 3".
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Reached the age of 22 before 1 January 1925
If you reached the age of 22 before 1 January 1925, then you have lost your Norwegian citizenship if you moved from Norway for reasons other than the following:
- employment abroad in connection with Norwegian services, or
- your father or your husband was employed under Norwegian foreign services abroad.
You do not lose your citizenship, however, if you:
- within one year of moving from Norway, you submitted a letter to a Norwegian consulate declaring that you wished to remain Norwegian, and
- the declaration was valid up until 1 January 1925, the date the law was changed.
Documentation requirements
Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship
If you moved because you, your father or your husband was employed under Norwegian foreign services abroad, acceptable documentation may include:
- confirmation of employment at a Norwegian foreign service mission abroad.
If you moved outside the country, but declared that you wished to retain your Norwegian citizenship within one year of moving, acceptable documentation may include:
- declaration/certificate from a Norwegian consulate showing that you have been allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship up until 1 January 1925.
Applicable law
"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 21 April 1888".