Acquisition by birth
Until 1 January 1951 a child acquired Norwegian citizenship at birth where
- the father was a Norwegian citizen and the parents were married; or
- the mother was a Norwegian citizen and unmarried.
During the period 1 January 1951 - 30 June 1979 a child acquired Norwegian citizenship at birth where
- the father was a Norwegian citizen and the parents were married;
- the mother was a Norwegian citizen, the parents were married, the child was born in Norway or in a Nordic country, and the father was stateless or did not automatically transfer his citizenship to the child (the child did not derive its father’s citizenship); or
- the mother was a Norwegian citizen and unmarried.
Concerning children born after 30 June 1979, see "Norwegian citizenship by birth".
Acquisition of citizenship by notification lodged by the child’s mother
Until 31 August 2006 a child under the age of 18 born before 1 July 1979 could acquire Norwegian citizenship by notification lodged by its mother provided that she was a Norwegian citizen married with the child’s father.
Acquisition of citizenship by the parents’ marriage
Where a Norwegian man and a woman, who was a foreign citizen, had a child together prior to their marriage, the child acquired Norwegian citizenship when they married, provided the child was unmarried and under 18 years of age.
This applied to the period 1 January 1951 - 31 August 2006.
Acquisition by adoption
After 30 September 1999 Norwegian citizenship is automatically acquired where the child is adopted by a Norwegian citizen provided certain conditions are met. See "Norwegian citizenship by adoption".
Loss of citizenship
Norwegian citizenship acquired by birth, mother’s notification, parents’ marriage or adoption may be lost
- because you do not have close relationship with Norway; or
- in the event of acquisition of another citizenship.
Loss of no close relationship with Norway
Until 31 August 2006 a Norwegian citizen who is born abroad and who has never resided in Norway or stayed here under circumstances indicating close ties with Norway, lost Norwegian citizenship upon attaining 22 years of age unless she/he had been granted a licence to retain the citizenship.
Where she or he attains the age of 22 after 31 August 2006 the citizenship may be lost in the event of absence from Norway, see "Loss of citizensip because of non-residence".
Loss in the event of acquisition of another citizenship
See "Loss of Norwegian citizenship by new citizenship" .
On re-acquisition of Norwegian citizenship
Where certain conditions are met former Norwegian citizens may acquire Norwegian citizenship.
Acquisition by application
See "Loss of Norwegian citizenship by new citizenship". Certain rules apply regarding the calculation of the period of residence, see “Exemptions from the residence requirement”.
Acquisition by notification (applies to Nordic citizens)
A former Norwegian citizen who has only been a citizen of another Nordic country is entitled by notification to recover Norwegian citizenship provided that she/he has taken residence in Norway. See "Who can become a Norwegian citizen by notification?" .
What does it mean to be in possession of a Norwegian passport?
A Norwegian citizen is entitled to have a Norwegian passport.
Passports issued by an error
The issue of a Norwegian passport to a foreign citizen does not mean that she or he thereby is granted Norwegian citizenship. This applies even where the person is a former Norwegian citizen.
A passport issued by an error is to be delivered to the police if the bearer is living in Norway, or to a Norwegian diplomatic mission if the bearer is living abroad. The police can seize the passport if not delivered.
The general requirements concerning acquisition of Norwegian citizenship by application or notification apply where a passport has been issued to a foreign citizen by an error. See "Requirements to obtain Norwegian citizenship by application" and "Who can become a Norwegian citizen by notification?"
