A foreign adoption is valid in Norway in the following cases:
- When the adoption is legally binding/final and has been granted by the proper adoption authority in the country from which the child is adopted.
- When the Norwegian Children, Youth and Family Affairs Service (Bufetat) or the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir) have given prior consent to the adoption, if the child is adopted without the assistance of an approved adoption agency.
- When the person(s) adopting the child was/were living in the country from which the child was adopted at the time of the adoption. If the child was living in Norway, Bufetat must have agreed to the adoption.
- Bufdir has recognised the adoption at a later date.