Schmidt & Schmidt offers document retrieval services in Norway.

It often happens that civil status documents are lost or damaged, or you need to obtain current copies of documents. In this case, it is necessary to request duplicates of documents. Often, those who have left Norway face difficulties in this procedure. Our service allows you to request documents in Norway remotely and we can carry out courier delivery of the document to anywhere in the world.

Validity of civil status documents in Norway

Civil status documents issued in Norway generally have a validity period of no more than 6 months, after which they must be replaced with new ones containing up-to-date data.

When to obtain duplicate documents in Norway?

A duplicate birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change certificate, divorce certificate, criminal record certificate or death certificate may be required to register a marriage abroad, a newborn child, citizenship, inheritance, data verification for pension applications, opening bank accounts, employment and other bureaucratic issues.

What documents can be requested in Norway:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Certificate of change of surname
• Divorce certificate
• Death certificate
• Certificates of good conduct
• Educational documents
• Other civil status documents

Birth certificate

A birth certificate is an official document provided by the Registrar or acting Registrar of the relevant Civil or Consular Register. It verifies details of an individual's birth, including the date, sex, and, if applicable, the time of birth and family relationships.

In Norway, birth certificates are issued by the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten), as they maintain the population registry (Folkeregisteret). The birth is automatically registered with the Folkeregisteret, usually by the hospital where the birth took place. Once the child’s name is registered with the Norwegian Tax Administration, a birth certificate is mailed to the parents. This document includes details about the child, such as their name and date of birth, as well as information about the parents.

You can order a birth certificate for yourself. You can also request one for your children who are under the age of 18. However, if you do not have parental custody, you must provide documentation that justifies your need for the certificate. Additionally, a birth certificate can be ordered for anyone for whom you have been appointed as a legal guardian.

Required documents

• Full name of whose birth certificate is being requested
• Date and place of birth
• Valid ID

Marriage certificate

The marriage certificate is the legal record of marriage, used to verify marital status. It is usually required for procedures such as changing the last name, applying for spousal benefits, immigration applications and for inheritance matters. It can be obtained at the Civil Registry Office in the city or town where the marriage took place.

Certificate of legal capacity to marry

A certificate of legal capacity to marry shows that you and your partner are legally allowed to marry.

The Norwegian Tax administration must check your eligibility for marriage beforehand. If both spouses have a Norwegian national identity card they can request a certificate of no impediment to marriage. This document is representative of their legal right to marry, claiming both parties are eligible for marriage. It states information such as the declaration of one's identity and the surpassed age of 18 or older.

Once the marriage ceremony is complete, the officiant is required to send the relevant documents to the Norwegian Tax Administration.

Required documents

• Valid ID
• Certificate of legal capacity to marry
• Declaration of marital status
• Personal declaration
• Statement by witnesses
• Documents if you are divorced

Divorce certificate

A divorce certificate serves the purpose to verify the legal dissolution of a marriage. It is required for procedures such as remarrying, updating marital status on legal records, immigration applications, and legal matters involving custody, support, or property division.

Required documents

• Government-issued ID of the applicant
• National ID numbers of both spouses
• Divorce case number (if applicable)
• Proof of authorization if requested by a third party

Death certificate

The death certificate serves as an official confirmation of an individual's death. It is required for settling the deceased's estate, claiming life insurance and closing financial accounts. These documents can be obtained through the provincial vital statistics office.

From January 2022, the death certificate is issued electronically only. When someone dies in Norway, the death is typically reported to the Norwegian Tax Administration by the doctor who certifies the death or the hospital where the person passed away.

If the death occurs outside of a medical facility, the next of kin or a funeral home may be responsible for notifying the authorities.

The certificate includes details about the deceased, such as their name, date of birth, date of death, and place of death. The certificate is available in Norwegian, but certified translations can be requested if needed for international use.

Required documents

• Name of the deceased
• Date and place of death
• Identification of the requester and proof of eligibility
• Authorization documents if requested by a representative

Police Clearance Certificate

A criminal record certificate, also known as a police certificate, is a document used to verify an individual's criminal record or confirm the absence of one. It is required for employment in sensitive fields, visa or immigration applications, volunteering, firearm permits and adoption proceedings.

Either spouses, legal representatives (with a power of attorney) or government agencies or courts (for legal purposes) can request this certificate. Individuals who have lived in Norway or have Norwegian citizenship can request a police clearance certificate.

The police clearance certificate is issued by the Norwegian Police. Specifically, applications are processed by the National Criminal Register (Kriminalregisteret), which is managed by the Norwegian Police.

Required documents

• Valid ID
• Application form
• Birth certificate
• Power of attorney if applicable

Educational documents

Foreign educational documents only carry the same legal value as Norwegian documents if they are exempt from legalization or have undergone the necessary legalization process. Documents from countries with bilateral agreements with Norwegian are fully exempt from legalization. Documents from countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961 undergo a simplified procedure called apostille. If neither countries are part of the convention or have bilateral agreements they undergo consular legalization