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".