Subsequent validation of a marriage
Some marriages contracted in Norway are void, and some marriages contracted abroad are not recognised in Norway. The County Governor has the authority to validate a void marriage after the fact and to recognise marriages contracted abroad. Send applications for such validations to the County Governor of Østfold, Buskerud, Oslo and Akershus.
I got married in Norway, but the marriage has not been registered in the national register
I got married abroad and need this to be recognised in Norway
I got married in Norway, but the marriage has not been registered in the national register
This relates to marriages contracted in Norway which are for various reasons considered void. These reasons may be that:
• The officiant was not qualified
• There was no valid Certificate of No Impediment from the national register at the time of marriage. It may be that this was never obtained, or that it had expired by the marriage date (a Certificate of No Impediment is valid for four months)
• The couple did not personally attend the wedding
• Neither of the parties had declared that they wanted to marry the other
• The officiant did not pronounce the couple man and wife
• The Church of Norway did not follow the liturgy set by Kirkemøtet
You can apply for an invalid marriage to be validated after the fact. The application should contain:
• Certificate of No Impediment
• Marriage certificate
• Statement from the parties explaining why the marriage requirements were not met
• Statement from the parties explaining why they believe there are particular reasons to validate the marriage
• Statement from the officiant (the person who performed the marriage ceremony) explaining why the marriage was contracted without the marriage requirements being met.
Send applications to the County Governor of Østfold, Buskerud, Oslo and Akershus.
I got married abroad and need this to be recognised in Norway
This relates to marriages contracted abroad which are in all likelihood valid in the country in which they were contracted but which have not been recognised in Norway. The reason for this marriage not being validated in Norway may be that:
• The marriage was contracted without both parties being present at the wedding
• One of the parties was under 18 when the marriage took place
• One of the parties was already married
There must be compelling grounds for the marriage to be validated in Norway. Applications for a foreign marriage to be recognised must contain:
• Written application from both parties stating that they wish for the marriage to be recognised by the County Governor.
• Marriage certificate – either the original or a certified copy. Copies must be certified by a lawyer, public office or professional copying institution. The certificate must be certified with an apostille stamp or be legalised (certified) by the foreign office of the country in which the marriage took place. Certificates approved by Norwegian foreign service missions are also acceptable. The marriage certificate must be translated into Norwegian or English by a certified translator, teacher at a university or college, or a municipal interpreting service. The translation must state that the original document has been translated. Translations made through or certified by Norwegian or foreign service missions or consulates will also be acceptable. A translation of a marriage certificate must also be presented in the original or as a certified copy.
• Power of attorney from both parties to review any immigration cases.
• Copy of both parties' passports or travel documents. The party that lives in Norway must also present a copy of every page that has been used in their passport or travel document. These copies must be certified by a lawyer, civil servant or similar.
Applications for a subsequent recognition of a marriage contracted abroad that has not been recognised in Norway must be sent to the County Governor of Østfold, Buskerud, Oslo and Akershus.