Who can get married in Norway?
In Norway, you are free to choose whether or not you want to marry, whom you want to marry and when you want to marry. You can also marry someone of the same sex, and will then have the same rights as a married man and woman.
You must be at least 18 years old to get married. If you are 18 or older, you can get married without parental consent.
Other conditions for marriage in Norway
To be married, a couple must meet with a person holding an official license to marry. This might for instance be a government official, an imam, a priest or an officiant from another registered religious or ethical community.
If the person performing the marriage doesn't hold a official license to marry, the couple will not be officially recognised as married even if the marriage is held in a religious ceremony.
On the website of the Norwegian Tax Administration you can read more about how to get married in Norway.
Exceptions
A marriage is not possible if:
- you or your partner are already married to another person - in Norway you are only allowed to be married to one person at a time;
- you or your partner are forced into marriage;
- you and your partner are closely related. Examples of marriage between close relatives are siblings marrying their siblings, parents marring their children or grandparents marrying their grandchildren.
A marriage that has been registered abroad and is valid there is usually also valid in Norway. However, the marriage will not be recognised in Norway if it clearly goes against Norwegian legal practice. For instance, if one of the partners was very young when he/she was married. If one of the partners had a strong connection to Norway before getting married, the marriage is also not recognised in Norway if one of the partners was either younger than 18, not present during the marriage, or previously married.
Marriage and family reunification
If you and your partner are married only so that you or your partner will be allowed to stay in Norway, the marriage won't give you the right to family reunification.
New rights and responsibilities
By getting married, both marriage partners receive new rights and responsibilities. For example:
- In a marriage, both partners are obliged to support each other and care for each other.
- If your partner dies, you are entitled to receive part of the property and/or money of your partner. If your partner has died and you have questions about inheritance, you can contact your local district court to get help.
- If your marriage partner lives abroad, s/he is entitled to come to Norway and live with you here. This applies only if you yourself are allowed to live permanently in Norway and have enough money to support yourself and your partner. Your marriage partner will then receive a residence permit for Norway and will also be able to work in Norway.
Even after marriage, doctors are not permitted to share personal information about you or your health with your marriage partner without your consent.
Only the couple decide
Sometimes other people choose whom you should marry. This is not customary in Norway. However, it is not forbidden by law if both partners want the marriage to go ahead.
A marriage against your will or against the will of your partner is forbidden in Norway. Likewise, the attempt to force people into marriage is forbidden. You and your partner are not permitted to be taken to another country in order to be forced into marriage there. If you are being forced into marriage or have been forced into marriage, it is possible to contact someone who can listen and offer advice and help.
People who force others into marriage are punished. If you were already living in such a marriage when you came to Norway, you and your partner will not be punished and the marriage will remain valid. However, you and/or your partner can end this marriage.
You can find more information about what you can do if you are being forced into a marriage against your will at the website of The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs. Here you also find information on how to end such a marriage.
Living together without being married
Relationships prior to marriage and affairs with other partners during marriage are not forbidden in Norway and no one is punishable by law for this behaviour.
Sometimes, this behaviour is not accepted within families and some family members want to punish with physical violence or even kill young men or women who act in this way. If you believe that you are living in a dangerous situation like this, go directly to the police or contact someone who can help.
