Notarisation and apostille

Noricom can assist with obtaining Notary confirmations from the Notary Public and apostille stamps from the County Governor. This service is primarily offered to our translation clients. 

Notarisation 
Notarisation is the process of obtaining an official confirmation that a document or signature is genuine and valid. For translated documents, it is usually the signature of the translation agency or the certified translator that is confirmed. In Norway, notary confirmations are issued by the Notary Public at the district courts. 

Apostille 
In order to use a Norwegian-issued document abroad, it usually needs to be legalised. This means the document receives an official confirmation of its authenticity. 

Countries in the Apostille Convention 
If the document is to be used in a country that is part of the Apostille Convention, you can obtain an apostille stamp from the County Governor. This stamp then serves as legalisation of the document. 

Before obtaining an apostille, the document must be notarised—signed and stamped by the Notary Public. The apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature, not the content of the document. 

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains an updated list of countries in the Apostille Convention. 

Countries outside the Apostille Convention 
If the document is to be used in a country not part of the Apostille Convention, it must be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More information is available here: https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/legalization-mfa/id752911/ 

Documents for use in the Nordic countries 
If the document will only be used in the Nordic countries, a notarial certification is sufficient. Apostille or legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not required. 

 Frequently Asked Questions 

Can Noricom notarise my document? 

  • No, we cannot. In Norway, notarial confirmations are issued by the Notarius Publicus at the district courts. 

 Can I receive a digital document only? 

  • Noricom can provide you with a digital translation, however, if you require translation notarised with an apostille, physical documents are required. 

 I need a Norwegian translation, and it must have an apostille

  • The apostille convention is a simplified legalisation process for documents intended for use abroad. Therefore, the country of issue must apply the apostille stamp, not the intended recipient country.

  • Note: Apostille legalisation can only be used between two members of the apostille convention (see above)

 I only want an apostille, not a notary confirmation. 

  • For certain documents issued by Norwegian authorities, it is possible to obtain an apostille without prior notarial confirmation. Please contact your nearest Noricom office, and we will help you determine whether this applies to your document. 

  • Note: Translated documents generally always require a notary confirmation for an apostille stamp.