Am I allowed to divorce in Norway?
Yes — you have a right to divorce, and the other party cannot refuse you it. But the route normally goes via separation. The usual path is one year of formal separation: either of you can demand separation from the County Governor, and the year runs from the separation being granted — not from the day you moved apart. That is where people lose time. Alternatively you can divorce directly after at least two years living apart. The case is handled administratively by the County Governor, and there is no fee for the ordinary divorce. If you have common children under 16, mediation is mandatory, and the mediation certificate must be no older than six months when the application is sent.
📋 The rules
- Divorce after one year of formal separation
- Or directly after at least two years living apart
- The case is handled by the County Governor
- Mediation mandatory with common children under 16
- The mediation certificate must be no older than six months
🔓 Exceptions
- Immediate divorce is possible in cases of violence, abuse or forced marriage
- No mediation is needed if you have no common children under 16
- Mediation is usually one hour, with more offered
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no fine and no state fee for the ordinary administrative divorce — what stops people is formalities. Without a valid mediation certificate the case is simply not processed, and the certificate is perishable: if it is older than six months when the application is sent, you must go to mediation again. The separation year is also counted from the decision, not from the day you moved apart, so an informal break does not count. If you disagree about children or finances, that part goes on to the district court, and that is where the costs actually arise.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How do I divorce?
Usually after one year of formal separation with the County Governor, and either of you can demand separation alone. Alternatively you can divorce directly after at least two years living apart, with no formal separation in between.
Must I go through mediation?
Yes, if you have common children under 16. The mediation is usually one hour, with more offered, and the mediation certificate must accompany the application and be no older than six months when it is sent in.
How long is the separation period?
One year, counted from the separation being granted by the County Governor, and provided you have actually lived apart. The time you spent living apart before the decision does not count towards the separation year.
What does a divorce cost?
Nothing in state fees for the ordinary administrative divorce with the County Governor. If you disagree about children or finances, that is where the money goes: that part can end up in the district court, and a legal dispute is quite another matter.
Can we divorce without separation?
Yes, if you have lived apart for at least two years. Immediate divorce is also possible in cases of violence, abuse or forced marriage — then neither the separation year nor the two-year rule is required.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “am I allowed to divorce norway”
- “separation one year divorce”
- “living apart two years”
- “mediation children under 16”
- “county governor divorce”
- “mediation certificate six months”