Summary
Norway's multilingual birth certificate includes six languages but is often rejected for official use in countries where the local language is not included.
For high-stakes applications like citizenship or legal matters, you will likely need a certified translation into the destination country's official language, even if English is on the certificate.
Official acceptance often requires a multi-step authentication process: certified translation, notarization from a local court (tingrett), and an apostille from the County Governor (Statsforvalteren).
When your document is rejected, using a professional service for certified document translation ensures it meets official requirements with a fast, guaranteed turnaround.
You've ordered your multilingual birth certificate from Skatteetaten, relieved that it includes English along with five other languages. It should be accepted everywhere, right? Then comes the crushing disappointment: the Lithuanian passport office rejects it, demanding a certified Lithuanian translation despite the certificate's multilingual format. You call the embassy for clarity, only to hear: "We don't have more information."
This frustrating scenario plays out regularly for people navigating international documentation requirements. The multilingual birth certificate from Norway's tax authority (Skatteetaten) promises convenience but delivers confusion when authorities abroad reject it.
This guide will clarify when these certificates work, when they don't, and what additional steps like translation, notarization, or an apostille you might need to take for your documents to be accepted internationally.
What Exactly is the Skatteetaten Multilingual Birth Certificate?
A birth certificate (fødselsattest) in Norway is an official document that verifies a person's:
Full name
Date of birth
Norwegian national identity number
Gender
Place of birth
Parents' names (if you order the version with parental information)
The multilingual certificate option from Skatteetaten provides this information in six languages simultaneously:
Norwegian
English
French
Italian
Spanish
German
This format follows the International Commission on Civil Status (ICCS) conventions, designed to reduce the need for translations. The certificate displays identical information in all six languages side by side, with official stamps and signatures that validate its authenticity.
How to Order Your Multilingual Certificate: A Step-by-Step Guide
Who Can Order?
You can order your own certificate if you were born in Norway
Parents with custody can order for children under 18
Legal guardians and representatives with justified reasons may also order
Ordering Process
Access the Skatteetaten Portal: Visit the official ordering page
Log In: Authentication is typically through BankID or other methods supported by Altinn (for login assistance, check the Altinn Login Help page)
Select Certificate Type: Choose the birth certificate option and specifically request the multilingual version
Verify Your Information: Confirm your personal details are correct before submission
Submit Your Request: Complete the order form
Important Considerations
Processing Time: Expect up to two weeks for processing, plus additional time for postal delivery
Delivery Method: The certificate arrives by mail to your registered address in the National Population Register
Physical Document: The certificate is a physical document with an official stamp and signature, not a digital file
Cost: While fees may apply, check the current pricing on the Skatteetaten website
The Crucial Question: When Will Your Certificate Be Accepted?
Understanding when your multilingual certificate will be sufficient versus when you'll need additional steps can save you time, money, and significant frustration.
When the Multilingual Certificate Works
The multilingual certificate is generally accepted in these scenarios:
Nordic Countries: Documents between Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland typically require no additional authentication like apostille or legalisation, according to Skatteetaten's guidance for use of certificates abroad.
Countries Recognizing the Six Languages: Nations where one of the six languages (Norwegian, English, French, Italian, Spanish, or German) is an official language often accept the multilingual certificate for routine matters.
U.S. Immigration Services: The U.S. Department of State generally accepts Norway's multilingual certificates for immigration and visa purposes since English is included, as noted on their Norway Civil Documents page.
Short-Term Travel: For tourism or brief business trips, the multilingual certificate is often sufficient for identification purposes when required.
When the Multilingual Certificate Isn't Enough
Unfortunately, there are many situations where the multilingual certificate alone won't satisfy requirements:
Language Not Included: If the destination country's official language isn't one of the six on the certificate, you'll likely need a certified translation. As one Reddit user discovered: "I have this multilingual [certificate]. But Lithuanian process wants it to be translated to Lithuanian. I called embassy, didn't found good answers." This exemplifies the core limitation of the multilingual certificate.
High-Stakes Applications: Citizenship, permanent residency, and marriage applications often have stricter documentation requirements, including certified translations into the country's official language regardless of the multilingual certificate.
Country-Specific Regulations: Some nations have explicit requirements for documents to be translated by their own approved translators or validated through specific channels, rendering the multilingual certificate insufficient alone.
Legal Proceedings: Courts and legal processes typically require documents in the country's official language, translated by certified professionals whom they recognize.
The Officialdom Gauntlet: Translation, Notarization, and Apostille
When your multilingual certificate isn't enough, you'll need to navigate the complex system of document authentication. Here's how to approach each step:
Step 1: Getting a Certified Translation
When your multilingual certificate isn't accepted, you'll need a certified translation into the official language of the destination country. Finding a qualified translator, especially for less common language pairs like Norwegian-Lithuanian, can be a major hurdle. As one user noted in frustration: "There is one translator (Norwegian-Lithuanian) in whole Norway!" This process can be slow, expensive, and uncertain.
For a fast and reliable solution, services like Bluente's Certified Document Translation offer official translations from certified professionals, often with a 24-hour turnaround. This can be a crucial time-saver for urgent submissions for immigration, legal, or academic purposes. Platforms like these streamline the process, providing clear pricing and guaranteed acceptance by official bodies.
Alternatively, for official purposes, you can search for a state-authorized translator. The traditional resource in Norway is Translatorportalen, the country's official registry of authorized translators.
When selecting a service or individual translator:
Verify they are authorized for your specific language pair and that the certification meets the requirements of your destination country.
Confirm the translation will be suitable for official purposes (e.g., court-admissible, accepted by embassies).
Ask about their experience with civil documents like birth certificates.
Request a timeline and pricing upfront to avoid surprises.
Step 2: Notarization (Notarialbekreftelse)
Notarization validates the authenticity of signatures on documents. In Norway, this process is often required before obtaining an apostille or for use in certain countries.
Where to Get Notarization: As confirmed by users in online discussions, "Notarisation you get at your local court house" (tingrett). The Norwegian Courts website provides comprehensive information about their notarization services.
What Gets Notarized: Typically, both the original certificate and the certified translation may need notarization. The court house will verify the authenticity of the signatures, not the content accuracy.
Important Note: Norwegian courts may be reluctant to notarize documents in languages they don't understand. This is why it's crucial to check the specific requirements of your destination country.
Step 3: Apostille
An apostille is an international certification that validates the authenticity of a public document for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Where to Get an Apostille: In Norway, apostilles are issued by the County Governor (Statsforvalteren). As one user correctly stated: "Apostille you get at the county governor."
The Process:
Take or send your original certificate (and notarized translation if required) to the County Governor's office
Submit the necessary application forms
Pay the applicable fee
Receive your document with the apostille stamp
For detailed instructions, visit the Statsforvalteren's official page on apostille stamps.
Apostille vs. Legalisation
It's important to understand the distinction between these two processes:
Apostille: A simplified certification process for countries that are members of the Hague Convention (currently 124 countries)
Legalisation: A more complex process required for countries not part of the Hague Convention, typically involving authentication by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed by certification by the embassy of the destination country
Your Final Checklist for International Document Success
Navigating international document requirements can be overwhelming, but this checklist will help ensure your success:
Research Early: Contact the specific authority (embassy, consulate, government office) in your destination country to get their exact requirements in writing
Order with Time to Spare: Request your certificate from Skatteetaten well in advance, allowing for the 2+ week processing and delivery time
Assess Language Requirements: Determine if a certified translation is needed, particularly if the destination country's language is not among the six on the multilingual certificate
Find Professional Help: If a translation is required, use a reputable certified translation service or a state-authorized translator to ensure the document is accepted.
Authenticate Properly: Obtain notarization at your local courthouse and/or an apostille from the County Governor as required
Double-Check Everything: Verify all documents and authentications meet the exact specifications before submission
Keep Copies: Maintain complete copies of all original documents and translations
Remember that requirements can change and may vary even within the same country depending on the specific purpose. The multilingual certificate from Skatteetaten is a valuable starting point, but being prepared for additional steps will save you from the frustration of rejection and delays.
While the promise of a multilingual certificate suggests universal acceptance, the reality is more complex. By understanding exactly when this document will suffice and when you'll need to take additional steps, you can navigate international bureaucracy with confidence and avoid the disappointment of rejected applications.
Always follow the authority guidance from your destination country—their requirements, however seemingly arbitrary, are the final word on what documentation you'll need for successful processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a multilingual birth certificate from Skatteetaten?
A multilingual birth certificate from Skatteetaten is an official Norwegian birth certificate (fødselsattest) that includes information in six languages: Norwegian, English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German. It is designed to be used internationally without the need for translation in countries where one of these languages is official, containing key details like your full name, date of birth, and parents' names.
Why was my multilingual birth certificate rejected even if the country's language is included?
Your multilingual birth certificate may be rejected even if it includes a language the country recognizes, especially for high-stakes applications like citizenship, residency, or legal matters. These processes often have strict regulations requiring a certified translation into the country's primary official language, performed by a translator they officially recognize. The multilingual format, while convenient, does not always satisfy these specific legal or administrative requirements.
What is the difference between notarization and an apostille?
Notarization verifies the authenticity of a signature on a document, while an apostille certifies the authenticity of the public document itself for use in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Convention. In Norway, you get a document notarized at a local courthouse (tingrett). An apostille is a separate stamp issued by the County Governor (Statsforvalteren) that makes the document valid internationally. You often need notarization before you can get an apostille.
Where can I get a certified translation for my birth certificate?
You can get a certified translation from a state-authorized translator or a professional certified translation service. In Norway, you can find official translators through resources like Translatorportalen. For a faster option, online services like Bluente offer certified translations with guaranteed acceptance by official bodies, often with a quick turnaround time suitable for urgent needs.
What should I do first: get the document translated or get an apostille?
The correct order depends on the requirements of the destination country, but typically you should get the original document apostilled first, and then have both the original document and the apostille translated. Some countries require the apostille on the original Norwegian certificate, and then a certified translation of both the certificate and the apostille. It is crucial to check the specific instructions from the authority requesting the document to avoid doing the steps in the wrong order.
Do I always need an apostille for my Norwegian birth certificate abroad?
No, you do not always need an apostille. An apostille is generally not required for use in other Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland). For countries not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, you will need a more complex process called legalisation. Always confirm the specific requirements with the authority in the destination country.