Civil registration refers to vital records made by the government. No civil registration occurred in Norway until 1876. Beginning that year a law required that all birth, death, and marriage information be sent to the Central Bureau of Statistics [Statistisk Sentralbyrå]. This information is used for statistical purposes only and is generally not available to the public

In 1915 the Registers of Vital Statistics [Folkeregistre] were started on a community level. They were based on information submitted by the parish offices and include information about all persons in a community and the dates in which they moved into or out of the area. They also contain information regarding taxes, voter registration, and other official business.

Register information is generally not available to the public, but occasionally specific inquiries may be answered. The Folkeregistre (People's Registrar) in the local community should be contacted first. If the information you need cannot be obtained there, you may contact the archive that houses the information for the community for help.

For many years the Registers of Vital Statistics were funded by the district government, and the information was submitted voluntarily. However, since 1946 registration has been mandatory in all districts.

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