How to get a national identity number

You cannot apply for a national identity number. It is the National Population Register that will determine whether you meet the conditions for being issued a national identity number.

A national identity number will be issued to the following:

• Children born in Norway
  All who are born in Norway. The Tax Administration will issue a national identity number for the child when it receives a notification of the birth from the hospital. 
  
• Persons whose move to Norway is approved
  All who are going to live in Norway and whose notification of a move to Norway is approved.
  
• Norwegian citizens abroad
  Norwegian citizens who are born or resident abroad and who need a national identity number to get a Norwegian passport. You must contact the closest Norwegian embassy or consulate. 
  

If you do not meet the conditions for being assigned a national identity number and registered as resident, you may be assigned a D number.

The meaning behind the digits in a national identity number

A national identity number consists of eleven digits.

• Date of birth: In most cases, your date of birth is the first six digits. For example, if you’re born on 22 June 1976, the first six digits in your national identity number are 220676.
• Individual number: The next three digits are individual numbers, where the third digit refers to the holder’s gender: even numbers for women and odd numbers for men.
• Verification number: The two last digits are for verification.

The last five digits in the national identity number can be referred to as a “personal number”.

In some cases, the first six digits are not your date of birth. This is because there are no available national identity numbers for some dates. Instead, the first six digits will show the day and month on which you received your national identity number. If this applies to you, you’ll be notified when you receive your national identity number in the post. Your correct date of birth will still be recorded in the National Population Register in the field for date of birth.

When moving to Norway

If you intend to stay in Norway for at least six months consecutively or more permanently, you must report a move to Norway.

You must also report a move to Norway if you move back to the country having been registered as emigrated from Norway in the National Population Register.

You must undergo an ID check, and you’ll be asked to provide documentation showing that you’ll be living in Norway for at least 6 months.

Report a move to Norway

If you meet the conditions, you’ll be issued a national identity number and registered as resident in Norway in the National Population Register. It is the National Population Register that will determine whether you meet the conditions.

If you’ve been granted a residence permit from the immigration authorities, you usually do not have to report the move yourself. Then your residence permit determines whether you’ll be registered as resident in Norway.