Moving abroad with a child requires both parents' consent when you share parental responsibility. The child living permanently with you does not, by itself, give you the right to move abroad. If there is disagreement about parental responsibility, moving abroad or permanent residence, the child must not move until the matter is resolved.
The rules below were checked on 7 October 2026. This article concerns parents planning to move with their child from Norway. It is based on the current Lov om barn og foreldre (barnelova), the Children Act. The new Children Act adopted in 2025 has not yet entered into force.
Who can decide that the child will move?
Shared parental responsibility means both parents must consent to moving out of the country. This also applies when the child lives permanently with only one parent. If you have sole parental responsibility, you can generally decide without the other parent's consent.
Parental responsibility is the right and duty to make important personal decisions for the child. Permanent residence concerns other decisions in the child's everyday life. The rules on deciding a move within Norway do not give the same right to move abroad. See barnelova §§ 37 and 40.
| Situation | Starting point before moving abroad |
|---|---|
| You share parental responsibility | Both must consent, even if the child lives permanently with you. |
| You have sole parental responsibility | You can generally decide, but must follow the rules on notice and disagreement. |
| You do not have parental responsibility | You cannot decide on moving abroad alone. |
If there is disagreement about parental responsibility, moving abroad or permanent residence, the child must not move until the matter is resolved. This applies even before anyone has brought a court case. If you need help working together, SamfunnPrep has a guide to familievernkontoret and mediation.
How do you check parental responsibility?
Check what is registered, and find agreements or court decisions. Divorce does not automatically give one parent sole parental responsibility.
At Skatteetaten, which maintains Folkeregisteret, you can view registered information on Min side. If you hold parental responsibility, you can order Bekreftelse på foreldreansvar, confirmation of parental responsibility. It shows who is registered as having responsibility. The confirmation concerns children resident in Norway and can be ordered in Norwegian or English.
If the document will be used abroad, select this when ordering. You will then receive a paper document with a stamp and signature. Skatteetaten explains the further steps for authenticating the document. Ask what requirements apply in the country you are moving to.
If the information is unclear, or you have a foreign decision, get help clarifying the legal basis before departure. Where several countries are involved, a lawyer should clarify which rules and courts apply. The rules on foreign decisions are in barnelova §§ 84 a and 84 b.
When must you notify the other parent?
You must give notice at least three months before moving when you have an agreement or decision on contact. This duty also applies when the parent who has contact moves without the child.
This follows from barnelova § 42 a. Notice is not consent. You cannot bypass the requirement for agreement simply by sending notice and waiting three months.
It is sensible to give written notice and keep the message. State the planned moving date, the country and how you propose to arrange contact. These are practical tips to avoid misunderstandings. Do not treat no response as a clear yes to the move.
What do you do if you disagree?
Resolve the disagreement before the child moves. If you have children under 16, the person wishing to move with the child must book mediation if you disagree about the move. Both must attend. This also applies if you already have a valid mediation certificate from another type of mediation.
Call familievernkontoret where the child lives, or an approved external mediator. Bufdir, Barne-, ungdoms- og familiedirektoratet, explains how to book free mediation. One hour is mandatory, and you can receive up to six additional, voluntary hours. The mediation certificate is valid for six months. It shows that you attended, not that the move is approved.
Mention any need for an interpreter when booking. Necessary interpreting costs are covered. In cases of violence or insecurity, you can ask about separate mediation. See Bufdir's circular on mediation.
If you still disagree, the matter can be brought before a court. A parent with parental responsibility can bring a case about moving abroad. A parent who simultaneously brings a case about parental responsibility can also do so. For children under 16, a valid mediation certificate is normally required; the law includes an exception where there is a conviction for serious violence or abuse against one's own children.
The court can decide whether the child may move abroad, including when you share parental responsibility. The child's best interests must guide the decision. Under specific conditions, the court can issue an interim decision. Ask a lawyer to assess what you should request, especially if departure is approaching. See barnelova §§ 48, 56 and 60.
Must the child agree to the move?
The child must receive information and an opportunity to express their views. This always applies from age seven, and also to younger children capable of forming their own views. Their views must be given weight according to age and maturity. From age 12, they must carry substantial weight.
There is also a separate consent requirement: a child aged 12 or older must agree if they will move or stay abroad without a parent who has parental responsibility. This is not a general requirement for all 12-year-olds to approve a move together with such a parent. See barnelova §§ 31 and 40.
Talk about school, friends, language and contact with the other parent. The child must be able to say what they think without having to resolve the parents' conflict.
What should you put in writing before moving?
Write down what you actually agree on, and make a plan for the child's everyday life and contact. A clear agreement makes it easier to show what the consent covers.
You should clarify:
- country, place of residence and planned moving date
- school and necessary support for the child
- holidays and contact with the other parent
- who arranges travel and how costs are handled
- telephone or video contact between visits.
This is a practical checklist, not a mandatory standard form. The rules on the child's care, education and contact are in barnelova §§ 30, 42 and 43.
What do you arrange once the move is agreed or decided?
First clarify the right to move, then follow the document and registration requirements. Use Skatteetaten's guide to moving from Norway. The procedure must suit the country and your registration circumstances.
A notification of moving does not in itself grant permission to move the child. Nor is a valid passport consent to a permanent move. With shared parental responsibility, extending or changing an agreed stay abroad also requires both parents' consent.
SamfunnPrep has a checklist for moving from Norway covering other practical tasks. In the tools overview, you can also find the residence calculator if you need to assess time outside Norway.
Where can you get help if there is a risk of child abduction?
Contact the police quickly if you fear the child will be taken unlawfully out of the country. Unlawful retention after a lawful holiday can also be international child abduction.
Bufdir provides guidance on international child abduction. You can contact them on 466 15 000 or at barnebortforing@bufdir.no. The help available depends, among other things, on the country and international agreements. Bufdir cannot itself travel abroad and bring the child back.
If there is a risk that the child will not return, the court can prohibit a trip abroad. The police can impose a temporary departure ban until the court can consider the matter. The rules are in barnelova § 41. Bring relevant agreements, decisions and messages when seeking help; do not wait until the move has taken place.
