All minors entering Norway without parent(s) or legal guardian are considered to be unaccompanied minors, also in case a minor is accompanied by a relative who cannot prove that he or she had legal responsibility for the minor before.
When a minor arrives in Norway he will first be registered by the Police Immigration Unit in Oslo (Politiets utlendingsenhet). The Police Immigration Unit sends a message to UDI, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. They will then send a request to the County Governor of Oslo and Akershus. The County Governor of Oslo has a responsibility for appointing a representative (this representative is a legal guardian) to an unaccompanied minor. The representative that is on duty, will be appointed as the representative of the minor. If the unaccompanied minor is transferred to another county in Norway, the new County Governor Department will assess the neccesity to change the guardian (for example because of long geographical distances).
Advise for guardians
If a guardian in another European Member State assists an unaccompanied minor with a relative or family member in Norway, the following is advised. There are several organizations/bodies to turn to with a question for assessment of the safety at a relative or family member: the Norwegian Red Cross and Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS). It is also possible to contact the County Governor of Oslo and Akershus.
It depends on the status of a relative or family member which governmental body is responsible for an assessment. Overall the Child Welfare Service is responsible for an assessment of the child and whether it can be placed with parents or relatives. If the child’s parents or relatives live in a reception center, the Norwegian Inspectorate for Immigration (UDI) will do that assessment. CPS will intervene if the delivered reports cause any concern.
It depends on several elements whether an unaccompanied minor is placed with a family member or relative immediately upon arrival in Norway. The County Governor of Oslo and Akershus will be approached by the UDI if there is a need to appoint a guardian (the County can also be approached by the CPS, reception centers or police). Guardians who want to transfer relevant information can therefore contact the County Governor of Oslo and Akershus. The Department of Guardianship can supply details on the child’s guardian.
Contact
County Governor of Oslo and Akershus
Tordenskioldsgate 12
8111 Dep, 0032 Oslo
Tel: 0047.22.03728
Email: fmoapostmottak@fylkesmannen.no
NOAS – Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers
Torggata 22
NO-01813 Oslo
Tel: 0047.22.365660
Fax: 0047.22.365661
Email: noas@noas.org
Norwegian Red Cross
Hausmannsgate 7
0186 Oslo
Tel: 0047.22.054000
Fax: 0047.22.054040
Email: post@redcross.no.com
The Norwegian Inspectorate of Immigration (UDI)
Email: dublinema@udi.no