Norway
Apostille in Norway
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in Norway, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Ratified (signed and confirmed), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | County Governor (Statsforvalteren), one office per county, documents from Norwegian authorities2 |
| Fee | No fee, according to the office (apostille)2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Processing time | Usually stamped the same day the documents arrive; more than ten documents are normally ready the next working day2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Documents covered | 3 kinds of document listed by the office |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in Norway
Check that you have the right documents and that they are a type that can get an apostille.2
Send the documents by letter post with the country of use, a return address and a phone number to Statsforvalteren i Østfold, Buskerud, Oslo og Akershus, Postboks 325, 1502 Moss.2
Or bring the original document to a reception desk in Moss, Oslo or Drammen; Oslo has drop-in for apostille from 08:00 to 14:30.2
You do not need to book an appointment to get an apostille stamp.3
The office sends the documents back to you by ordinary post.2
Documents
Common documents
As listed by the office:
- Original documents with the round lion stamp and a valid signature, for example from the Tax Administration, a district court, the police or the Brønnøysund Register Centre2
- True copies confirmed with an original stamp from a Norwegian authority2
- Original documents or true copies confirmed by a notary public at the district court2
More about these documents: court judgment, certified copy of a document.
Contacts
Who to contact in Norway
- Apostille officeCounty Governor (Statsforvalteren), one office per county2Documents from Norwegian authorities
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in Norway
A document issued in Norway
The apostille comes from Norway, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with Norway.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in Norway
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in Norway. Norway accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Note: Rule
Digital documents, such as emails and scanned documents, cannot get an apostille.2
Note: Rule
Documents from other countries cannot get an apostille.2
Note: Rule
Documents for use in the Nordic countries do not get an apostille, because it is not needed there.2
Note: Rule
Documents for countries that have not signed the Hague Convention cannot get an apostille and must be legalised by others.2
Note: Rule
A private document can get an apostille once a notary public at the district court has confirmed it.2
Note: Rule
An apostille is only valid as an original and is not valid if sent by email, fax or similar.4
Note: Rule
The apostille is written in English and has no expiry date.4
Before the apostille
Private documents
A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about apostilles in Norway
Does Norway accept apostilles?
Yes. Norway has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 29 July 1983, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in Norway?
County Governor (Statsforvalteren), one office per county (documents from Norwegian authorities).
How much does an apostille cost in Norway?
No fee, according to the office (apostille). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in Norway?
The office says: Usually stamped the same day the documents arrive; more than ten documents are normally ready the next working day.
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. An apostille only works in other member countries. Countries outside the Convention use a different process, usually called legalisation. The office that receives your document decides what it accepts.
Sources and verification
Sources
- HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)
- Apostille | Statsforvalteren i Østfold Buskerud Oslo og Akershus
- Apostillestempel på dokumenter
- Apostillestempel på dokumenter
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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