Children born after August 31st 2006

According to the current law, a child with a Norwegian mother or father acquires Norwegian citizenship by birth. This applies no matter if the child is born in Norway or abroad, and no matter if the parents were married or not.

Children born before September 1st 2006

Children born before September 1st 2006, acquired Norwegian citizenship by birth if:

• The mother was Norwegian
• The father was Norwegian and the parents were married, or
• The father was dead, but he was a Norwegian citizen and married with the mother of the child at the time he died.

If the child is automatically Norwegian by birth, it is not necessary to give notification in order to ensure Norwegian citizenship for the child. But it is necessary to apply for a passport at the police, or at a Norwegian embassy or consulate if living abroad.  

Identity of the mother and the father or co-mother of the child

Identity of the mother of the child
The woman who has given birth to the child shall be regarded as the mother of the child.

Paternity or co-maternity following from marriage

• The man to whom the mother is married at the time of the child’s birth shall be regarded as the father of the child.
• The woman to whom the mother is married at the time of the child’s birth, when the child was conceived by means of assisted fertilisation provided by an approved health service and with the woman’s consent to the fertilisation, shall be regarded as the co-mother to the child. In assisted fertilisation provided by an approved health service outside Norway, the identity of the sperm donor must be known.
• If the spouses were separated by licence or judgment at the time of the birth, the first and second paragraph shall not apply.
• If the mother is a widow, her late spouse shall be regarded as the father or co-mother if it is possible that the mother may have conceived prior to the death of the spouse.

Acknowledgement of paternity or co-maternity
The father may acknowledge paternity during the pregnancy or after the child is born.
The father shall acknowledge paternity in writing either in the notification of birth or by appearing in person before the National Population Register, the maintenance enforcement agency, a judge,  a Norwegian diplomatic or consular official, etc pursuant to Act No. 7 of 8 April 1981 relating to Children and Parents.

See "Citizenship by notification for children with a Norwegian father – documentation requirements" concerning when paternity or co-maternity may be established in Norway.

Dual nationality

Whether a child whose father or mother is a foreign national also acquires his or her nationality at birth depends on the legislation of the country in question. Queries in this connection must be addressed to the relevant authorities of the country or its diplomatic mission (Embassy, High Commissioner,  Consulate General) in Norway or abroad.
 
Norwegian law accepts dual nationality where it is the consequence of a child's acquisition at birth of its parent's nationality. See also "Dual nationality"