People living in Norway can usually handle Indian legal matters without travelling. Signatures are certified by a notarius publicus, generally at the district court, and the apostille is issued by the County Governor (Statsforvalteren). The original is couriered to India and stamped within three months. Our team in Mohali then registers documents, deals with banks and authorities, files tax returns and represents you in court. Calls fit the Norwegian working day, as India is three and a half to four and a half hours ahead.
- Document route
- Notarius publicus, then apostille from Statsforvalteren
- Time difference
- India is 3h30 (summer) to 4h30 (winter) ahead
- Foreign judgments in India
- Not reciprocating: fresh suit
- Apostille with India
- In force
Who we help in Norway and what they need
Indians in Norway are concentrated in Oslo and its surroundings, Stavanger and the west coast energy region, Bergen and Trondheim. Many arrived as skilled workers and later took permanent residence or Norwegian citizenship, which Norway has allowed alongside another nationality since 2020. India does not allow dual citizenship, so naturalisation in Norway has consequences for Indian passports, property and documents.
The matters we see most are property related: selling a parental flat, managing rent, or buying a home for a planned return. Estate planning follows closely, because Norwegian inheritance rules and Indian succession law differ. A smaller group of Norwegian nationals and Norwegian companies ask about company registration in India, especially in maritime services, renewable energy and technology, sectors that the trade agreement between India and the EFTA states is expected to support.
Notarisation and apostille in Norway
Norway and India are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, and it applies between them. In Norway the notarius publicus function is usually performed by the district courts (tingrett), and in some areas by other designated officials. After your signature is certified, the apostille is issued by the County Governor, Statsforvalteren. Check the current booking and fee arrangements before you go, as they differ between counties.
Ask us to draft the document in English so that the notary only adds a certificate. Norwegian certificates for use in India, such as birth or marriage certificates from Skatteetaten's population register or company certificates from the Bronnoysund Register Centre, should be issued in English where possible or translated by a state authorised translator. Once in India, a power of attorney or deed is stamped within three months of arrival.
Most requested services from Norway
Requests from Norway centre on property, estates and tax for Indian families, with a growing number of company and citizenship questions. These six services cover most of what our Norway-based clients need.
Power of Attorney
Residents of Norway usually authorise a relative in India through a power of attorney certified by a notarius publicus and apostilled by Statsforvalteren.
Buying & Selling Property
Families settling in Norway often sell a flat or plot in India, or buy one for parents, and need it handled remotely.
Wills & Probate
Norwegian compulsory shares for children and Indian succession law apply differently, so Indian assets need an Indian will.
NRI Income Tax & DTAA
Norwegian residents with Indian rent, deposits or capital gains must still file in India and declare it in Norway.
Company Setup for Foreigners
Norwegian nationals and companies in maritime, energy and technology are exploring Indian entities under the EFTA trade agreement.
OCI Card Issues
Since Norway allowed dual citizenship, more Indians naturalise there and must surrender Indian passports and apply for OCI.
Tax treaty, wealth tax and remittances
India and Norway have a double taxation avoidance agreement, and the two countries also have a social security agreement for posted workers. Indian rent, interest and capital gains of a Norwegian resident are taxed in India first, and Norway gives credit under its rules. Norway also levies wealth tax on the net worldwide assets of residents, so Indian property and bank balances can matter in the Norwegian return even when they produce little income.
To claim treaty rates in India you need a Norwegian tax residence certificate from Skatteetaten and Form 10F. Funds in NRO accounts can be remitted to Norway up to USD 1 million per financial year after Form 15CA and 15CB; NRE balances move freely. Our page on NRI income tax in India explains the Indian filing.
Family law, child welfare and Norwegian judgments
Norway is not a reciprocating territory under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure. A Norwegian money judgment or maintenance order cannot be executed directly in India; a fresh suit relying on it is needed, subject to section 13. Norwegian divorces granted after separation may be recognised in India if the ground fits the applicable Indian law, but each case should be checked before remarriage or property division.
Some Indian families in Norway have faced decisions by Norwegian child welfare services (Barnevernet). Those decisions are made under Norwegian law and Indian courts cannot overturn them; India is also not a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention. Families should take Norwegian legal advice promptly. On the Indian side we can help with documents, family evidence and any related proceedings in India. For estates, Norway reserves a compulsory share for children, while Indian law governs Indian immovable property, so a separate Indian will is advisable.
Working with us from Norway
India is three and a half hours ahead of Norway in summer and four and a half in winter. A video call at 9 am in Oslo is early afternoon in Mohali, so same-day discussion is easy. We exchange documents by email, explain each step in writing, and keep a simple tracker so you can see what is pending in India.
Couriers from Oslo, Bergen or Stavanger usually reach North India in five to eight working days, longer from northern Norway. If you are planning a trip to India, we can schedule registrations or court appearances during it, but most matters do not need you in person. Norwegian citizens of Indian origin should keep their OCI card linked to their current passport before travelling. If your family is spread across Scandinavia, see also our page for Sweden.
All services for clients in Norway
NRI Property Law
- Property Disputes
- Encroachment & Illegal Possession
- Partition of Family Property
- Buying & Selling Property
- Title Search & Due Diligence
- Tenant Eviction
- Builder Delay & RERA
Inheritance & Documents
Cross-Border Family Law
- Divorce for NRIs
- International Child Custody
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Marriage Registration
- 498A & Dowry Case Defence
- OCI Card Issues
Doing Business in India
- Company Setup for Foreigners
- Indian Subsidiary Setup
- Branch & Liaison Office
- FDI & FEMA Compliance
- Trademark Protection in India
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment Law for Foreign Employers
- GST for Foreign Businesses
- Investing in Indian Startups
- Legal Advisory for NRI Investors
Disputes & Enforcement
- International Arbitration
- Enforcing Foreign Judgments
- Money Recovery from India
- Shareholder Disputes & NCLT
- Accident Compensation Claims
- Cyber & Investment Fraud
- Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Cross-Border Tax & Money
Indian missions in Norway
Passport surrender, OCI and other consular services for India in Norway are provided by the embassy in Oslo.
- Embassy of India, Oslo
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get an apostille in Norway?
The County Governor (Statsforvalteren) issues apostilles on Norwegian public documents and on signatures certified by a notarius publicus. India accepts the apostille without further embassy attestation.
Can I keep my Indian passport after becoming Norwegian?
No. Norway allows dual citizenship, but India does not. Indian citizenship ends when you voluntarily acquire Norwegian citizenship, and you must surrender the Indian passport and can then apply for OCI.
Do I need to report my Indian flat in Norway?
Norway taxes residents on worldwide income and wealth, so Indian property and income generally belong in the Norwegian return. Your Norwegian adviser will apply the treaty and Norwegian rules.
Is a Norwegian court order enforceable in India?
Not directly. Norway is not a reciprocating territory, so a fresh suit in India is needed, relying on the Norwegian judgment if it meets section 13 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Can Indian courts help with a Barnevernet case?
Indian courts cannot overturn Norwegian child welfare decisions. Norwegian lawyers handle those proceedings, while we can assist with Indian documents and any connected proceedings in India.
How long does a document take to reach India from Norway?
Usually five to eight working days by international courier, depending on where in Norway you send it from.
Can a Norwegian company own 100 percent of an Indian company?
In most sectors, yes, under the automatic route, with RBI reporting of the investment. A resident Indian director is also required.
Can you work in the evening Norwegian time?
Our standard hours overlap with the Norwegian morning and early afternoon. For urgent matters we can arrange calls outside those hours by appointment.