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The Parliamentary Ombud (Sivilombudet): when you think the public sector has treated you wrongly
Draft, translated: translated from the Norwegian original with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is the authoritative one. See the Norwegian original →
Have you complained and received a final answer, but still think a public body has made a mistake? Then you can complain to the Parliamentary Ombud. What they can and cannot do, and the one-year deadline.
Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 14 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.
Sivilombudet (the Parliamentary Ombud) is the Storting's ombud. It checks that public administration, for example NAV, the municipality, the Tax Administration or the child welfare service, treats people correctly. You can complain there if you think a decision is wrong, or that your case has not been handled as it should.
First you must complain to the body itself
According to Sivilombudet, you must first complain to the body that made the decision, and get a final answer. Complaints without a final answer are normally rejected. If NAV's appeal body has rejected your appeal, that answer is what you can take further. Read appealing a NAV decision.
Is it taking too long? If your complaint is about not getting an answer, you must first send written reminders. Sivilombudet asks for two reminders, with two to four weeks between each, and that you attach them to the complaint. Also read how long NAV can take.
The deadline: one year
You must complain within one year after the final decision in the case was made.
What Sivilombudet does not handle
- private businesses and private disputes, for example with a neighbour,
- court decisions,
- matters the Storting has taken a position on,
- decisions made in the Council of State and some decisions by the municipal or county council.
You are also not entitled to have your complaint examined. Sivilombudet decides itself which cases it looks into.
How to complain
- Use My page (Min side) at Sivilombudet, logging in via ID-porten, if you can. The form shows you the complaint process step by step.
- If you do not have an electronic ID, there is a form without login, or you can send a letter to Sivilombudet, Postboks 3 Sentrum, 0101 Oslo.
- Attach the decision you are complaining about and other relevant documents, and explain clearly why you disagree.
What happens next?
Within three weeks you will hear whether Sivilombudet will look into the case. If they examine it, they can ask the body to explain itself and give a statement (uttalelse). In it they can point out errors and ask the body to correct them or process the case again. Sivilombudet cannot change decisions itself or order the administration to do anything, but according to Sivilombudet most bodies follow the recommendations in practice.
Tip: Keep it short and concrete: what the decision was, what you think is wrong, and what you want. Children can get their own complaint help from Sivilombudet.
Sources
- Sivilombudet. Complaints (Norwegian)
- Sivilombudet. What you cannot complain about (Norwegian)
- Sivilombudet. Complaints about long processing times (Norwegian)
- Sivilombudet. When you complain (Norwegian)
- Sivilombudet. After you have sent a complaint (Norwegian)
Kontaktpunkt24 gives general information, not legal advice. If you need help with your own case, contact a lawyer, a legal aid service, or the relevant authority.
This page is translated from Norwegian with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is always the authoritative one.