Foreign stations, DNA for personal identification numbers and passports

DNA Analyses and Passport Applications

DNA Analyses and Applications for Norwegian Personal Numbers

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prepared a procedure description for the need for DNA testing when applying for a Norwegian birth number for foreign-born children with a Norwegian father (or mother). This will be available on the Ministry's intranet.

The Tax Administration has developed a guide that applicants should use regarding registration in the National Population Register and the establishment of a Norwegian personal number for children born outside Norway.

• Birth Number for Obtaining a Passport (skatteetaten.no).

This guide explains to the applicant that the legal paternity of the child must be documented before a Norwegian personal number can be applied for on behalf of the child. The documentation is assumed to be the parents' marriage certificate or a Norwegian declaration of paternity registered in the National Population Register. Our understanding of the regulations and the process surrounding applications for a Norwegian personal number and passport for children born in a group-2 country is that the foreign mission must assess whether this documentation is sufficient. If it is not, either NAV must be contacted to initiate a case regarding the declaration of paternity under Norwegian rules when the man is in Norway, or a paternity test must be initiated by the man attending with the mother and child for sampling at the foreign mission according to the routine for applying for a Norwegian personal number for the child. See more about this in the next section.

DNA Analyses and Declaration of Paternity

Foreign missions can accept declarations of paternity for children born abroad when the child's father is located abroad. The declaration will establish a legal paternity for the child in cases where he is not married to the mother or it cannot be satisfactorily demonstrated that he is married to the mother. It is the authority receiving the declaration that must assess whether the conditions in the paragraph below are met and whether a DNA test is required before the declaration of paternity is accepted.

Section 4, fifth paragraph of the Child Act:

"If it is necessary to establish the paternity of a child born abroad, the authority may request a suitable sample for DNA analysis for the child and for the person who wishes to declare himself as the father, if

1. the child, the mother, or the person who wishes to declare himself as the father cannot satisfactorily prove their identity, or
2. there is reason to believe that incorrect information has been provided regarding who the father is in order to obtain Norwegian citizenship for the child

It is also a condition that the information in the case does not otherwise provide a reasonable basis for establishing paternity with reasonable certainty. If DNA analysis shows that the man cannot be the father of the child, he cannot declare paternity. The same applies if he declines a request."

The Labour and Welfare Administration has issued a circular regarding the collection of DNA tests before paternity can be declared for children born abroad and has prepared forms for use in such cases:

• Circular on the Child Act: 51-00 No. 1-4 – Collection of DNA Tests Before Paternity Can Be Declared for Children Born Abroad (lovdata.no).

Various forms have been developed for use in such situations, including NAV 55-00.67 "DNA Sample at Norwegian Foreign Mission Before Paternity Can Be Declared," which is sent along with the samples from the father and child to OUS, usually by courier to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From OUS's perspective, it is advisable for samples from the father, mother, and child to be taken simultaneously. The form is filled out and sent with the samples to OUS. Both NAV and the foreign mission will receive the results of the paternity test. For the maternity test of the mother and child, the applicant must have made a prior booking with OUS before attending. The test number for this test is communicated appropriately in the shipment of samples to OUS, for example, noted on a cover letter that specifies which samples are being sent.

If the man is in Norway, it is advisable for him to be guided to attend NAV to complete the declaration of paternity. NAV assesses whether a paternity test is necessary. This should be done before applying for a Norwegian personal number at the foreign mission, ref. the Tax Administration's guide. Birth Number for Obtaining a Passport (skatteetaten.no). The mother must sign the declaration of paternity sent from NAV upon attending the foreign mission.

The foreign mission may also assess the necessity of a paternity test regardless of whether paternity has been established under Norwegian rules or not. In such cases, OUS must be informed along with the shipment of samples that this is such a situation and that it does not concern a declaration. The foreign mission orders the paternity test on behalf of the father and receives a test number that must accompany his sample.

The foreign mission should not request a receipt from OUS for the paid invoice, only request the test number from OUS. No response reports are sent out until the invoice has been registered as paid in OUS's systems. The requester must obtain a receipt for payment from their bank if necessary.

DNA Analyses for Renewal of Expired Passports

The foreign mission may, when applying for passport renewal, assess that the applicants' identity is not sufficiently established and require that a DNA test of the family be presented. This is usually carried out as an order from the foreign mission to OUS. The invoice is sent to the resident's address or by email if requested for practical reasons. The response report is sent to the foreign mission. No response reports are sent out until the invoice has been registered as paid in OUS's systems.