National Identification number
Norwegian citizens born abroad can only apply for a National Identification Number in connection with an application for a Norwegian passport. Applying for a National Identification Number and passport requires a personal visit to the embassy.
I have had a baby and want to apply for a passport, what should I do?
If you have just had a baby in Belgium and want to apply for a National Identification Number for your child, please answer the questions on this link from the Norwegian Tax Administration: Norwegian national identity number to get a passport - The Norwegian Tax Administration.
After answering all the questions, the system will produce a list of procedures and documentation requirements.
Once you have collected all the necessary documents generated from the list by the Tax Administration, you can contact the embassy to book an appointment. Contact us at: consular.brussels@mfa.no
Please note that the process for obtaining a National Identification Number can take up to 12 weeks. Once the National Identification Number is generated by the Tax Administration, the passport will be produced and sent to the embassy in Brussels.
Important Information about Marriage and National Identification Number
If the child is born within marriage and the marriage is registered in the National Registry, you only need to appear to apply for the National Identification Number + passport. If the child is born within marriage, but the marriage is not registered in the National Registry, the marriage must be registered. If you are not married, paternity for the child must be acknowledged before you can apply for the National Identification Number. More information is available below or by visiting this NAV page:
Apply for recognition on paternity or co-maternity established abroad - nav.no
How much does it cost to apply for a National Identification Number?
It is free to apply for a National Identification Number, but there is a fee for the passport application:
- For children under 16 years old, the fee is €70.
- For individuals 16 years and older, the fee is €120.
National Identification Number for newborns and children under 10 years old
For newborns and children under 10 years old, it is usually sufficient to appear at the embassy once.
The fee is paid during the visit and covers both the application for the National Identification Number and the passport application. It is not possible to only apply for a Norwegian National Identification Number. A passport photo will be taken on-site.
Both parents must appear in person with the child at the embassy to submit the documents. The appointment is only available by booking an appointment. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Documentation for married parents:
- Original birth certificate in international format where both parents are listed, with a Belgian apostille, if the child was born in Belgium. More information about apostilles is available here.
- Passports of both parents, or alternatively, Norwegian national ID card. A non-Norwegian parent must bring their passport.
- If the Norwegian parent has applied for retention of citizenship before the child’s 22nd birthday, we need to see the retention approval from UDI.
- Please note that the marriage must be registered in the National Registry before applying for a National Identification Number. This is done by sending the original marriage certificate with an apostille to the Tax Administration (responsible for the National Registry). Parents must check if the marriage is registered before booking an appointment at the embassy.
- All documents presented must be original.
For children born outside of marriage abroad, paternity must be established. This is done at the embassy. Read more about the process on the NAV website. Carefully review this information.
Apply for recognition on paternity or co-maternity established abroad - nav.no
Documentation for unmarried parents:
- Original birth certificate with a Belgian apostille, if the child was born in Belgium. More information about apostilles is available here.
- Passports of both parents, or alternatively, Norwegian national ID card. The non-Norwegian parent must bring their passport.
- Based on this information, the embassy will complete an application for paternity determination abroad, which is then sent to NAV. It is very important that both parents attend this appointment as the paternity application cannot be sent to NAV without both signatures.
If one or both of the parents are living in Norway, the parent in Norway must contact their local NAV office for further decisions regarding the jurisdiction for paternity determination according to the Norwegian Children Act § 81.
What happens next?
For married parents: The passport authorities, i.e., the embassy, will contact the National Registry to obtain the National Identification Number. Once they have the number, they will process the passport application. The entire process takes approximately 2 months.
For unmarried parents: NAV will contact you to provide a decision regarding the recognition of paternity. Once the decision is made, you can return to the embassy to apply for the National Identification Number. The entire process takes approximately 2 to 4 months.
National Identification Number for children aged 10-17 years
The process for children between 10 and 17 years old is essentially the same as for children between 0 and 10 years old. Please refer to the information above first.
The only difference for children between 10 and 17 years old is that biometric data must be provided at a later stage. From the age of 10, the child must provide a signature. From the age of 12, the child must provide a signature and fingerprints. Signatures and fingerprints cannot be taken until the National Identification Number has been assigned, and therefore the child must return for an additional appointment before the passport can be produced. For the additional appointment for biometric data collection, only one parent needs to attend with the child.
National Identification number for adults over 18 years old
Adults over the age of 18 must attend two appointments at the embassy, as biometric data cannot be taken until the National Identification Number has been assigned.
The fee is paid at the time of the appointment and covers both the application for the National Identification Number and the passport application. It is not possible to only apply for a Norwegian National Identification Number.
First Appointment:
You must attend the scheduled appointment in person.
You need to bring the following documentation:
- Original birth certificate
- ID, such as a Belgian passport
- Documentation of Norwegian citizenship – contact the embassy for more information
Foreign documents (certificates and copies of non-Norwegian passports) are accepted in Norwegian and English. Other languages must be translated by a certified translator.
What happens next?
The passport authorities, i.e., the embassy, will contact the Tax Administration to obtain a National Identification Number. Once they have it, they will contact you to schedule a new appointment for biometric data collection.
Processing for the application of the National Identification Number and registration in the National Registry at the Tax Administration will take between 2 and 4 months.
Second Appointment:
You must attend the embassy in person for biometric data collection (photo, fingerprints, and signature). The appointment is only available by booking an appointment.
What happens next?
The passport authorities, i.e., the embassy, will submit the passport application. When the application is processed and the passport is ready for collection, you will be notified by the passport authorities.
This part of the process typically takes between 2 and 3 weeks under normal circumstances if the passport is picked up at the embassy.
For more information, please refer to "Information about Passports."