How do I apply for Norwegian citizenship?
Everyone can register their application for citizenship online through the Application Portal Norway.
When you register your application online, you pay the fee at the same time and book an appointment to hand in necessary documents to the local police.
Applicants who cannot register their applications online must
fill in a form which you find here. The form must be handed in to the police together with necessary documents.
In larger towns there is often a special police office for such requests.
Contact the police to ask where and when you can hand in the documents and application form.
The application is formally registered on the date you submit your passport with relevant supporting documentation. We will then start the processing of your application.
The fee is NOK 3,500. You pay it online when you register your application or to the police when you hand in the documents.
What documents do I have to enclose?
Certain other documents must be enclosed in addition to the application form. The application form states which documents must be enclosed with the application. Among other documents, the following shall be enclosed:
- Birth certificate if you were born abroad (for children who apply, the birth certificate must show the names of the parents)
- Marriage certificate/ confirmation of cohabitation/ partnership certificate (only applies if you are married, are a cohabitant or a registered partner)
- List of entries to and departures from Norway
- A tax certificate
- A police certificate of good conduct if you are more than 15 years old (will be enclosed by the police)
- A copy of all the pages in old and new travel documents (passport or other types of travel documents) for the last ten years
- Everyone who applies for Norwegian citizenship after 1 September 2008 must be able to document that they have completed 300 hours of Norwegian language tuition or be able to document adequate knowledge of Norwegian or Sami. This applies to everyone regardless of when they were granted residence permits. For further information, see our page Requirement for completed tuition in the Norwegian language.
If the applicant is under 18 years old, the following additional documents must be enclosed:
- Confirmation from school that the child/children attend tuition (if they are of school age)
- Documentation from an official body of who has parental responsibility (this applies if one of the parents does not have parental responsibility or if other persons than the parents have parental responsibility)
- If you have parental responsibility together with someone else, you must enclose the other person’s declaration of consent unless consent has been given on the application form.
For more information about the documentation requirements, you can contact your local police station or the Directorate of Immigration’s Information Service (OTS) by e-mail or by phone (+47) 23 35 16 00. If you live abroad, you can contact your nearest foreign service mission.
As a main rule, it is sufficient that copies of the documents are sent with the application. However, you have to produce the original documents when you hand in your application.
All documents attached to the application have to be translated into English or Norwegian.
How long does it take to process applications?
Once your application has been submitted, the police check that it has been completed correctly and that the papers are in order, and they will then send the case to the Directorate of Immigration for a decision. You will be automatically notified by post that the immigration authorities have received your application. The notification will contain information about the case-processing time.
The case processing time varies somewhat. You can find an overview of how long it takes on average to process the various types of applications here.
Can I appeal if my application for Norwegian citizenship is rejected?
If your application for citizenship is rejected, you may appeal the decision. Appeals against rejections shall be sent to the same place you submitted the application. The Immigration Appeals Board is the appeal body.
