[Please refer to How to Read a Country Entry for help interpreting this material. It was produced prior to March 2001 as part of a US government report entitled Citizenship Laws of the World. The accuracy and depth of these country listings varies significantly, and some information may be incorrect. At best, this page presents only part of the story for a particular country. Additional information for this country may be available in Country Information]

NORWAY

CITIZENSHIP: Defined by the Norwegian Nationality Act of December 8, 1950.

BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Norway does not automatically confer citizenship. Only in rare cases will citizenship be granted. Abandoned children of unknown parents are considered Norwegian citizens.

BY DESCENT: Child born in wedlock acquires Norwegian nationality if the father or mother is a Norwegian national. Child born out of wedlock acquires Norwegian nationality if the mother is a Norwegian national.

BY NATURALIZATION: Norwegian citizenship may be granted upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person is at least 18 years of age. Person has resided in Norway for the past seven years and has a record of good conduct. Does not owe more than NOK 20,000 in connection with child maintenance payments. Residence time limit for individuals married to a Norwegian national is computed thus:

Take the period of time the individual has been married and add the period of time of residence in Norway. To be eligible for naturalization, the total must amount to at least eight years.

Nordic nationals (from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden) are granted Norwegian nationality after living in Norway for two years. Children are included in a parent's application; adopted children are included, provided the adoption can be approved in Norway.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED. Exceptions: The Norwegian Nationality Act permits an individual to be a national of more than one country in the following cases: If the individual acquired dual nationality at birth from their parents. If the individual was born of Norwegian parents in a country where a second nationality is based on birth in the country.

If an individual is granted Norwegian nationality in accordance with the provision relating to "Notification through the County Governor's Office" and "Persons born before 1979" whereby the former nationality is not automatically lost.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of citizenship is granted under the condition that a new citizenship has been granted or soon will be granted. Letters of renunciation may be sent to nearest Norwegian Embassy.

INVOLUNTARY: The following is grounds for involuntary loss of Norwegian citizenship: Person voluntarily obtains foreign citizenship.

ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship should be directed to the address below:

Royal Norwegian Embassy Embassy Telephone: 202-333-6000 Consular Office Consul Telephone: 202-944-8920-24/8937 2720 34th St., NW Fax: 202-337-0870 Washington, DC 20008-2714 www.norway.org

www.ssb.no/www-open/english

Copyright (C) 2002-2007 All rights reserved.