Standard documentary requirements

Requirement for complete documentation

Your application will not be processed until we have received all the required documents. If you fail to submit all the required documents, you must expect the application to be delayed or refused.

Documents you will normally be required to submit

This checklist contains only tips and advice about the documents most applicants are normally required to submit.

So remember: The documents you need to submit will be different if you are applying for employment or admittance to education, than if you are applying for general or specific recognition of your educational qualifications. It is important that you make careful enquiries with the institution or employer you wish to apply to concerning the documents that should accompany your application. See the different recognition systems here.

Checklist:

• Passport or other official documents showing your nationality/citizenship
• Documentation supporting any change of name
• Any employment references
• Police certificate of good conduct/criminal record certificate for some professions, such as for work in kindergartens, schools or as a medical specialist.

All the documents must be certified photocopies of originals (see Certified photocopies below). Some recognition authorities may require you to send original documents.

All the documents usually have to be translated in Norwegian or English. (see Translation below). Check this with the specific recognition authority.

Translation

Remember that all documents that are not in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish, must be translated into Norwegian or English. The translation must be done by an authorised translator. You will as a rule be required to pay the translation expenses yourself. Here you will find a list of officially authorised translators.

Certified photocopies

• All copies of degrees, diplomas, certificates and letters of recommendation etc. must be certified by either a certified copying agency or an employee of a public office (school, local government office, police station, etc.).
• Copies of original documents must bear a stamp, date and signature.
• The stamp must show where the copy was certified; a stamp stating only "TRUE COPY CERTIFIED" will not be accepted.
• Certified photocopies must be copies of original degrees, diplomas, certificates etc; photocopies of photocopies will not be accepted.
• NB: In some countries it is common to have photocopies of documents certified by a Notary Public. These are known as apostilles (or apostille certificates). An apostille is not confirmation that the contents of the documents are correct, but a confirmation that the signature that quality-assures the document is genuine. An apostille will be accepted as a certified copy if you come from a country that has ratified the Hague Convention.