General enquiries
In many cases, the embassy cannot assist, and you must instead contact the appropriate authority in Norway. Where the embassy cannot assist, we try to direct you to the appropriate authority by providing links and or contact details.
When using a document issued in one language in another country, you are generally required to provide an official translation together with the original document. The translation requirements may differ, and should always be checked with the authority concerned.
The Norwegian embassy in Canberra does not offer translation services.
For translations in Australia, we refer you to contact the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) to find an accredited translator.
Due to the different levels of accreditation through NAATI, some Australian authorities may not accept a NAATI accredited translator. This may also differ from state to state. If you cannot find a suitable translator in Australia, you may instead contact the Association of Government Authorized Translators in Norway.
Please note that if using a translator in Norway, it is important to check with the requesting authority if they also require an apostille or authentication on the translation.
A criminal record certificate contains information about a person's entries in the police records. A criminal record certificate is required in many professions and when working for voluntary organisations. Criminal record certificates are only issued for the purposes described in laws and regulations and only for specific reasons – not on a general basis. A list of these reasons is available on the Norwegian Police’ website.
The embassy wishes to advise that the certificate may on request be issued in English, German, French or Spanish if no criminal offence is registered.
Electronic application for a criminal record certificate
If you are aged 18 or over, you may apply for a criminal record certificate online. To log in you require a valid MinID, BankID, Buypass or Commfides details. This will confirm your identity, and you will not have to submit proof of identification.
For more information and links to the online forms, please see Electronic application for a criminal record certificate.
Apply for a criminal record certificate by post
If you are under 18 years of age or for other reasons unable to apply for a criminal record certificate online, you may submit your application by post.
If you live abroad, the application must be sent to the Police unit for background checks and police certificates:
Politiets enhet for vandelskontroll og politiattester
Postboks 113
N-9951 Vardø
NORWAY
The application must include:
- Application form
- Certified copy of valid passport, drivers licence or bank card containing your photo and signature
- Documentation of why you need the criminal record certificate
- Signature of parent/legal guardian if you are under the age of 18
A Norwegian birth certificate contains information about a person's name, date of birth, identity number, gender and place of birth. Information about a person's mother and father can also be included.
Anyone who was born in Norway or who is or has been registered in the National Registry as resident in Norway since 2 December 1946, may apply to obtain a copy of their birth certificate from the Norwegian Directorate of Taxes who is responsible for the National Population Register (in Norwegian "Folkeregisteret").
For birth certificates other than your own, you may be required to document sufficient need for the document.
If you need a birth certificate for someone who lived in Norway prior to December 1946, you will need to contact the church office in the municipality where they were born to get a copy of their birth certificate. You can read more about obtaining certificates for ancestors on the web site of the National Archives of Norway .
Certificates from the National Registry should be requested online via Altinn, the Norwegian web portal for electronic dialogue between the government agencies and the public. To log in you require a valid MinID, BankID, Buypass or Commfides details. This will confirm your identity, and you will not have to submit proof of identification.
The certificate will then be sent to your address according to the National Registry. This will normally take three days, not including postal service. If you are not registered with your current address in the National Registry, you must order your birth certificate by phone. Phone number and instructions are available on the Norwegian Tax Administration's website.
The Tax Administration does not send certificates by email.
For more information, please see the Tax Administrations website.
If you wish to change your name, you must notify your local tax office so your new name may be registered correctly in the Norwegian National Registry (Folkeregisteret). Likewise, if your name has ever been changed it is your responsibility to make sure that the name change has been registered in the National Registry.
If you are a Norwegian citizen living abroad, and wish to change your name, you need to complete a name change form (“Melding om endring av navn”) and send it to the Norwegian Tax Administration, who is responsible for the National Registry. Name change notifications must be sent by post by applicants to the following address:
Skatteetaten
Postboks 9200
0134 Grønland
NORWAY
Please note that all photocopied supporting documentation must be certified by a Norwegian authority (embassy or consulate).
For more information regarding name change, please see the Tax Administration's website.
You can find statistics about which names are popular in Norway on the Statistics Norway website.
The embassy and our honorary consuls are authorised to perform the following notary public services if the service relates to Norway, i.e. documents to be presented to Norwegian authorities or Norwegian documents to be presented to another country’s authorities. All notary public services are provided by appointment only. You must present in person with valid ID (passport or Norwegian drivers licence). A fee is payable in accordance with our fee schedule.
Verification of signature
The embassy/consul can witness your signature on a document. Please note that this only verifies that you have signed the document, not the content of that document, nor that you are entitled to sign it.
Certification of copies
The embassy/consul can certify copies of an original document. Please note that this only verifies that the copy is identical to the original presented, not the content or authenticity of the original document.
Confirm information from other Norwegian authorities
This typically includes confirmation of information registered in the National Registry, e.g. citizenship, or confirmation of valid drivers licence etc.
ID check for “leveattest”
May be required for persons who receive a pension from Norway.
Legalisation
Legalisation verifies that a document has been issued by the correct authority, and the signature and/or stamp of the issuing authority. It does not entail any validation of the accuracy of the content of the document. Legalisation may be required for an official document issued in one country to have legal effect in another country. Documents are legalised by either apostilles (for countries who have ratified the Hague Convention, including Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Cook Island and Tuvalu) or authentication (including Papua New Guinea).
For Norwegian documents, apostilles are provided by the County Governor, and authentications by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The embassy and our honorary consuls cannot assist with legalisations.
For legalisation of foreign documents, please contact the appropriate country’s authorities.
If you have any questions regarding Norwegian taxes, you must contact the Norwegian Tax Administration.
If you have any questions regarding Norwegian pensions, you must contact the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, NAV.
The embassy is not authorised to marry. To marry in Australia, New Zealand or the Pacific Islands, you must contact either the local authorities or the Norwegian Church Abroad.
If you as a Norwegian citizen wish to get married outside Norway, you will find information regarding the process on the Norwegian Tax Administration’s website. There you will also find information regarding how to register the marriage in Norway.
Most overseas marriages are recognised in Norway; however, there are some exceptions. For more information, please see the Ministry of Children and Equality’s website.
The embassy cannot intervene in legal cases. Nor can we recommend or give advice regarding specific legal practitioners or legal actions. If you need legal assistance, we recommend that you contact the local law society for advice on locating a suitable practitioner.
The embassy cannot assist private persons looking for friends or relatives.
The embassy cannot recommend or advice regarding specific companies or service providers. For recommendations or advice regarding specific services, we suggest you search the internet and/or check with friends or relatives. You may also wish to ask members of the local Scandinavian society about their experiences.
The Norwegian Embassy in Canberra only has flags for official use and unfortunately do not have any to sell or give away. If you are looking for a Norwegian flag, it may be sourced on the internet.