In order to be granted a residence permit in Norway, you must document your identity. Your identity is the sum of different information that tells others who you are. If we are uncertain about your identity, we have to examine the information more thoroughly.
What is identity?
Your identity is the sum of several elements that tells others who you are. With respect to the immigration authorities, this includes information about:
- personal details (such as name)
- date of birth
- nationality
- stated family ties to other persons
- ethnicity
- clan affiliation
We use the identity elements to describe or recognise a person, and we can use them to clarify whether the same person appears in different contexts.
Establishing identity
The best way of establishing your identity is to present a passport or travel document and/or other documents issued by public authorities in your home country. Normally, you have documented your identity if you present a passport or other approved travel documents and there is no information in the case to indicate that we cannot trust the information provided in the document.
If you submit documents that do not contain a photo, we cannot be certain that the document actually concerns you, even if the document is genuine. As a rule, documents without a photo must be verified before we can assign them any importance in determining your identity. That means that we investigate and try to determine whether the information provided in the document is correct.
There are no fixed requirements to define when a document is sufficient to substantiate an identity. Also, not everyone has the opportunity to obtain such documents. This depends on which country you are from. We assess your identity information on the basis of information about the country and our knowledge of the documents in your home country.
In some cases, there may be reason to doubt the identity even if the documents we receive are genuine. For example, genuine documents could be based on false information.
The type of documentation required by the UDI or the police to process your case also depends on the type of permit you are applying for.
The UDI can also check information relating to the identity you have provided in several other ways, including:
- DNA testing
- age examination
- language examination
- questions during the asylum interview
- interview with the sponsor
- fingerprints
- obtaining information pursuant to the Dublin II Regulation
Registration of identity
The foreign service missions or the police register your identity in the computer system used for immigration and refugee cases (DUF) when you submit an application. If you apply for a visa, the embassy or consulate will register your identity information in the national Norwegian visa system (NORVIS), and the information will be transferred to DUF. All the identity information that we register about you must be in accordance with the information that you provide.
Question of proof
The Immigration Act requires applicants to document their identity, preferably by presenting a passport or other approved travel document. As a rule, it is your responsibility to clarify your identity.
Changing a registered identity
It may become necessary to change registered identity information. This will be the case if new information is received after you have been granted a residence permit, or if an error has occurred in the registration of the identity information. The immigration authorities and the population register must determine in which cases the matter of changing a registration must be deemed to be a change of identity.
Consequences of providing an incorrect identity
The UDI will reopen your case if the identity that was originally registered is false, or if you have pretended to be someone else. If the UDI concludes that you have previously made a false statement about your identity, we will consider whether this constitutes grounds for revoking your previous permits or your Norwegian citizenship. The UDI will also consider whether you committed a punishable offence in providing false information, and if so, whether to report you to the police, and whether the false information provided constitutes grounds for expulsion.
Further information
If you have further questions about this topic, contact your nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate, the nearest police district or the UDI’s Information Service for Applicants.
