UDI 2010-112 Obligation for foreigners to notify change of address to the Police

The Central National Register is the central database for registration of addresses. The addresses in the immigrant database (UDB) are updated automatically by data exchange from the National Register.

Everyone who is registered in the National Register is obligated to notify change of address when changing residential address in Norway, and when moving abroad, cf. chapter 6 of the Act of 9 December 2016 No. 88 relating to Population Census (Census Act) (external link). The ordinary notification of change of address according to the Census Act therefore only applies to foreigners with a permanent residence permit in Norway. It also applies to foreigners who are living in Norway with a D number assigned, while they are waiting for their application for a residence permit to be decided.

In addition, immigrants have a separate obligation to notify change of address under the provisions contained in Section 19, first and second subsections of the Immigration Act, and Section 4-22, first subsection, and Section 4-23 of the Immigration Regulation. Pursuant to Section 4-23, second subsection, written notification shall be given to the Police at the latest one week after moving.

The Directorate of Immigration wishes to emphasise the following:

1. Immigrants who have been granted a residence permit before entry into Norway, shall appear in person before the Police at the place at which they are staying at the latest one week after entry into Norway and notify their residential address in Norway. 
2. Immigrants living in Norway while they are waiting for a decision for a first-time residence permit, shall notify the Police of the new address at the old or new district in which they are staying. 
3. Immigrants who live in Norway, and who have had their application for a residence permit denied, shall notify moving to the Police in the district in which the new residence is located. 
4. Immigrants holding a permanent residence permit in Norway, shall upon moving out of Norway notify the Police in the district in which they live at the time of leaving. In the case of moving to Norway, notification shall be given to the Police in the district the immigrant moves to. When the Police receive such change of address notifications, they shall register the new address in the Data System for Immigration and Refugee affairs (DUF) and update the to and from date for the change of address.

In order to ensure that immigrants notify their change of address, the Police, Foreign Service Missions and the Governor of Svalbard shall provide information regarding the obligation to notify change of address when they receive the application for a residence permit, renewal of residence permit or permanent residence permit.