Am I allowed to change my name in Norway?
Yes — you can change your first name, surname or middle name, and it is free. You apply online with the Tax Administration using electronic ID. Most names can be taken freely, but here is the rule people do not know: a surname borne by fewer than 200 people is protected and needs consent from those who already have it. Common surnames with over 200 bearers are free to take — you need no connection to the name at all. You can change your name several times, but each application is assessed on its own. For a child, both parents with parental responsibility must consent, and a child over 12 must agree themselves. A name that could be a significant disadvantage, or has unfortunate content, can be refused.
📋 The rules
- You can change first name, surname and middle name — free
- The application is made online with the Tax Administration
- Protected surnames (under 200 bearers) need consent
- Common surnames (over 200 bearers) are free to take
- You can change your name several times
🔓 Exceptions
- For children, both with parental responsibility must consent; children over 12 must agree
- A name that could be a significant disadvantage can be refused
- A name with unfortunate or offensive content can be refused
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no penalty here: an application that does not meet the requirements is simply refused. That is the main consequence — you get a no, not a fine. Try to take a protected surname without consent and the application stops there. Giving false information to the population register is another matter, and can bring criminal liability. The practical cost of a name change lies not with the Tax Administration, which charges no fee, but in everything you must update afterwards — passport, driving licence, bank details, everything still in the old name.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Does it cost anything to change a name?
No. Changing a first name, surname or middle name is free, and you apply yourself online with the Tax Administration using electronic ID. The cost lies in the aftermath: passport, driving licence and contracts must all be updated to the new name.
Can I take any surname I want?
No. Common surnames with over 200 bearers are free to take, but a surname borne by fewer than 200 people is protected and needs consent from those who already have it. It is the 200-bearer threshold that decides, not how unusual the name sounds.
How often can I change my name?
You can change your name several times, and the law sets no limit on the number of changes. But each application is assessed on its own, and the same requirements apply every time, including consent where a protected surname is involved.
Can I change my child's name?
Yes, but both parents with parental responsibility must consent, and if the child is over 12 they must agree to the change themselves. Without those consents the application is refused, even if the name itself is free to take.
Can an application be refused?
Yes. An application can be refused if the name could be a significant disadvantage for the person bearing it, or has unfortunate or offensive content. A refusal is not a penalty — the application simply stops there.
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