Certified translation standardVerified June 2026

Document Translation Requirements in Norway

Official bodies in Norway generally require a certified translation of foreign-language documents, and many documents also need an apostille or legalization before they are translated. Below: who can translate, when an apostille is needed, and where the official rules are published.

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Norway requirements at a glance

Translation standard	Certified translation
Who can translate	State-authorised translators or qualified professional translators
Apostille	Required if the document or translation will be used abroad
Accepted languages	Norwegian (Bokmål or Nynorsk) or English
Responsible authority	Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs / County Governor for apostille

Important: If a translated document is intended for use abroad, the translator’s signature may need to be notarised before the document can receive an apostille from the County Governor or be legalised by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Who can translate documents for use in Norway?

Norway does not have a sworn translator system like many civil law countries. Instead, it maintains a category of state-authorised translators (statsautoriserte translatører) who have passed a national qualification examination. These translators, as well as other qualified professionals, may provide translations for official purposes, provided they include a declaration confirming that the translation is accurate and complete.

What makes a translation official in Norway?

A certified translation in Norway must include:

A statement confirming that the translation is a true and accurate rendering of the original

The translator’s signature

Contact details and professional identification (if applicable)

If the document is to be used outside Norway, the translator’s signature may need to be notarised before an apostille is applied.

How does Norway treat documents from abroad?

Foreign documents submitted to Norwegian authorities generally must be translated into Norwegian (Bokmål or Nynorsk) or English, depending on the receiving authority. Where applicable, an apostille may be required on the original and translated document if they are intended for use in a Hague Convention country.

Legal basis

Norway’s translation framework is based on administrative practice rather than a formally regulated sworn translator system. Qualified translators, including state-authorised translators, are recognised by public bodies. Legalisation and apostille procedures are handled by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the County Governor.

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Translating Norwegian documents for the U.S.?

Norwegian birth certificates, diplomas, and transcripts submitted to USCIS, universities, or credential evaluators need a certified English translation — that is exactly what we do, with a 100% USCIS acceptance guarantee.

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Sending U.S. documents to Norway?

U.S.-issued documents usually need an apostille before they can be used in Norway — and the apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the certificate itself gets translated too. We offer e-apostille processing as an add-on to any order.

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Norway translation requirements — FAQ

What type of translation does Norway require?

Norway follows the certified translation standard for official documents. Translations should be completed by: state-authorised translators or qualified professional translators.

Is an apostille required for foreign documents in Norway?

Required if the document or translation will be used abroad

What languages do Norwegian authorities accept?

Official authorities in Norway accept documents in: Norwegian (Bokmål or Nynorsk) or English. Documents in any other language need a certified translation before submission.

Can CertTranslate help with documents for Norway?

If you are submitting Norwegian documents to U.S. authorities (USCIS, universities, credential evaluators), yes — our certified translations are accepted nationwide. For official use inside Norway, authorities generally expect a certified translation; check the official guidelines linked on this page. We can also advise on apostille requirements for U.S.-issued documents.

Requirements in related countries

Neighbors and countries with a similar translation standard.

Austria Belgium Switzerland Germany Denmark Spain View all countries on the map

Sources

Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Legalisation & Apostille guidanceOfficial guidelines
Find professional translators in NorwayOfficial resource

Information verified against official sources. Last verified June 2026.

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