• Children with a Norwegian father born before 1 September 2006
• Adopted children
• When one of the parents applies for or is granted citizenship
• Children applying on an independent basis
  

Children born after August 31, 2006

According to the current law, which is valid from September 1, 2006, children with a Norwegian mother or a Norwegian father automatically becomes a Norwegian citizen by birth. This applies whether or not the child is born in Norway, and whether or not the parents are married.

Children born before September 1, 2006

Children born before September 1, 2006 became a Norwegian citizen by birth if:

• The mother was Norwegian
• The father was Norwegian and the parents were married, or
• If the father was dead, but was a Norwegian citizen and married to the child's mother when he died

If a child automatically becomes a Norwegian citizen by birth, it is not necessary to submit a notification in order to ensure that the child becomes a Norwegian citizen. However, in order for the child to get a Norwegian passport, you need to apply to the police, or an embassy/consulate if you live abroad.

Children with a Norwegian father born before  September 1, 2006

If the father was Norwegian citizen when the child was born, it is not necessary to apply for Norwegian citizenship. It is sufficient to hand in a notification. If the father was dead when the child was born, it is a requirement that the father was a Norwegian citizen when he died.

If the child has a Norwegian mother, the child automatically became a Norwegian by birth.

How do I submit a notification of citizenship?

First you register your notification online:

• if you are a Nordic citizen, you must complete the form Notification concerning Norwegian citizenship for Nordic citizens
• If you wish to submit a notification for children with a Norwegian father or adopted children, you must use the form Notification concerning Norwegian citizenship for adopted children and children with Norwegian fathers. 

It is free to submit the notification. 

What documents do I have to enclose?

In addition to the online application or the completed notification form on paper, you must submit certain other documents. You can find information about which documents you need to hand in on the notification forms: 

• Notification concerning Norwegian citizenship for Nordic citizens
• Notification concerning Norwegian citizenship for adopted children and children with Norwegian fathers. 

Documentation of paternity   

Adopted children

Different rules apply to citizenship for adopted children depending on when the adoption took place.

Read more about the rules that apply to adopted children.

When one of the parents applies for or is granted citizenship

A child can be granted Norwegian citizenship 

• if the child's mother or father has already been granted Norwegian citizenship or
• if the parents apply for citizenship for the child at the same time as the mother or father (not applicable if the father or mother is a Nordic citizen and submits notification of Norwegian citizenship)

The parent who has been granted Norwegian citizenship or is applying for Norwegian citizenship must share parental responsibility for the child.
It is also required that:

1. The child's identity is clarified.
2. The child is resident in Norway and intends to continue living here. 
3. The child has not been convicted of a crime, or has completed a quarantine period if he/she has been convicted of a crime. 
4. The child must as a rule have renounced his/her former citizenship. 
5. The child must have lived in Norway for the last two years on permits granted for at least one year at a time. (This means that children who arrive after the age of 16 will be 18 before the requirement for residence period is met. They must therefore apply for citizenship on an independent basis in accordance with the ordinary rules.)

The child cannot be granted citizenship together with the parents if he/she is married or is a registered partner. 

Children applying on an independent basis

Even if neither of the parents are or will become Norwegian citizens, an independent application for citizenship can be submitted for a child over the age of 12.

The child must then have lived in Norway for at least five of the last seven years on permits granted for at least one year at a time.

Read more about the requirements for Norwegian citizenship.