Get Birth Certificates in Norway

A birth certificate in Norway is an important document used for obtaining a national identity number (fødselsnummer), applying for a passport, enrolling in school, and other official purposes. Norway has a highly automated civil registration system, making it easy for families to obtain birth documents. This guide explains how to get birth certificates in Norway, including in Oslo and Bergen.

How Birth Registration Works in Norway

In Norway, birth registration is handled by the National Population Register (Folkeregisteret), which is administered by the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten). When a baby is born in a hospital, the hospital automatically reports the birth to the Population Register and the child is assigned a national identity number (fødselsnummer) within days.

Historically, births were registered through the local church. Today, the system is fully civil and digital. The birth notification is sent electronically by the hospital, and parents typically receive confirmation of the child’s fødselsnummer by mail. Parents do not generally need to visit any government office for the initial registration.

Documents Required for a Birth Certificate in Norway

Because the hospital reports births automatically, parents typically do not need to gather extensive documentation. To request a birth certificate extract from the Folkeregisteret, you may need:

Identification (Norwegian passport, national ID card, or residence permit)
The child’s fødselsnummer (national identity number)
A request submitted online via altinn.no or in person at a Tax Office (Skattekontor)

A “Confirmation of personal data” (bekreftelse på personopplysninger) from the Population Register serves as the official birth document in Norway.

Getting a Birth Certificate in Oslo

Oslo is the capital of Norway. Parents in Oslo can request birth documents through the Tax Administration’s digital services at skatteetaten.no using BankID or MinID. The digital method is the fastest and most convenient, and the document can be delivered electronically or by mail.

For in-person service, Oslo has several Tax Office service points. Foreign nationals or those without a Norwegian digital ID may visit the Tax Office in person with their identification documents. Oslo also has a national service center for foreigners (Servicesenter for utenlandske statsborgere) that helps with registration and documentation for immigrants.

Getting a Birth Certificate in Bergen

Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city. The process in Bergen is identical to Oslo — births are reported automatically by the hospital, and birth documents can be requested through skatteetaten.no or at the Bergen Tax Office. Bergen also has a service center for foreign nationals. As Norway’s system is fully national, there is no difference in the documentation or procedure between cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Norwegian birth certificate called?

Norway does not issue a traditional birth certificate per se. Instead, the Folkeregisteret issues a “confirmation of personal data” (bekreftelse på personopplysninger), which lists the child’s birth date, parents, and other registered information. This document is accepted for official purposes domestically and internationally.

Can I get a Norwegian birth document online?

Yes. Through skatteetaten.no or altinn.no with BankID or MinID, Norwegian residents can request personal data confirmations and other civil documents digitally. This is the most efficient method.

Can a Norwegian birth certificate be apostilled?

Yes. Norway is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents issued by the Tax Administration or courts can be apostilled by Statsforvalteren (the County Governor’s Office) for use in other Hague Convention countries.

How do I register the birth of a child born abroad to Norwegian parents?

Norwegian parents who have a child abroad should report the birth to the nearest Norwegian Embassy or Consulate, or directly to the Folkeregisteret upon returning to Norway. The child will receive a fødselsnummer after registration is complete.

Conclusion

Getting a birth certificate in Norway is one of the simplest processes among European nations, thanks to the country’s automated Population Register and digital government services. Parents in Oslo and Bergen can rely on the hospital to report births automatically and request birth documents online through BankID. The Norwegian system ensures every child has a national identity number and official birth record shortly after birth.