Reached the age of 22 on or after 1 September 2006

If you reached 22 years of age after 1 September anytime on or after 1 September 2006 then you automatically lost your Norwegian citizenship on your 22nd birthday if you:

  • had not acquired Norwegian citizenship when you were born, and
  • hold another citizenship in addition to Norwegian, and
  • have not resided in Norway for a total of two years or in one or more Nordic countries for a total of seven years before reaching the age of 22.

You do not lose your citizenship, however, if you have applied to retain your Norwegian citizenship and you have received a letter of decision from UDI affirming that you were allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship after reaching 22 years of age (retention of citizenship).

Documentation requirements

Documentation showing that you have not lost your Norwegian citizenship

If you acquired Norwegian citizenship after you were born because you or your parents either applied for, or submitted notification of, citizenship on your behalf, acceptable documentation may include:

  • letter of decision/certificate from Norwegian authorities showing when and how you became a citizen of Norway.

If you became Norwegian because you were adopted by a Norwegian citizen:

If you automatically acquired Norwegian citizenship when your parents entered into marriage (applies only if you were born before 1 September 2006), then you must provide:

  • documentation showing that only your father was Norwegian when you were born, and
  • a marriage certificate showing that your parents entered into marriage after you were born, but before you reached the age of 18 and before 1 September 2006.

If you had no other citizenship than Norwegian when you reached the age of 22, then you must document that you hold a residence permit in the country where you live (does not apply if you reside in Norway). If only one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born, then you must also document that you have not acquired citizenship in the country where your other parent is a citizen.

Documentation that shows that you are not a citizen in your country of residence: 

  • printout from the country’s national registry showing that you are not a citizen, or
  • other documentation showing that you are not a citizen in your country of residence.

Documentation that shows that you are not a citizen of your other parent’s country of residence (if only one of your parents was Norwegian when you were born):

  • verification from the country where your other parent is a citizen that shows that you are not a citizen of that country, or
  • a printout of the legislation relating to citizenship in the other country where your parent is a citizen that shows that you did not acquire citizenship in that country at birth.

If you have resided in Norway for a total of two years before reaching the age of 22:

If you have resided for a total of seven years in Norway or in other Nordic countries before reaching 22 years of age, you must submit:

  • a printout of the national registry of the Nordic country or countries where you have resided.

If you have received a letter of decision affirming that you are allowed to retain your Norwegian citizenship (retention of citizenship), you must:

  • submit documentation of the decision issued by UDI.

Applicable law

"The Norwegian Nationality Act of 10 June 2005".