In many respects the laws of marriage and divorce in Norway resemble those of Denmark. There are, of course, historical and political reasons for the resemblance. MARRIAGE.--The law of Norway fixes 20 years as the minimum marriageable age for a man and 16 years for a woman. These provisions are often interpreted, however, by the courts, as having reference to the age of puberty, and as this age varies with different persons the law is not always followed literally, particularly as regards the marriageable age of a woman. Neither male nor female under the age of 18 years is allowed to marry without the consent of parents or guardians. The validity of an objection to the marriage on the part of parents or guardians can be tested in court, and although causes for such objections are not specified or limited by statute they are kept within reasonable grounds through long-established precedent. IMPEDIMENTS TO MARRIAGE.--No man or woman may marry a relative by blood in the direct line. No man can many his full or half sister. Persons convicted of having committed adultery with each other may not marry without first obtaining permission of the civil authorities. A person bound by a marriage not dissolved through natural or legal causes is not allowed to enter into any other matrimonial alliance. After the death of her husband a widow must wait nine months before she can contract a new marriage, but this waiting period can be shortened by dispensation, especially if she proves that she is not pregnant. PRELIMINARIES.--In case of religious marriage one publication of banns is sufficient, and even this can be dispensed with in some instances. For a civil marriage no publication of banns is required. CELEBRATION.--Marriages must be solemnized before a minister of the Lutheran Church or by some person authorized by the State to officiate, and in the presence of two competent witnesses. The wedding celebration may take place either in church or in a private house. All notaries have legal authority to perform civil marriages, but only between persons at least one of whom does not belong to the State church. ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE.--Nullity is of two kinds--absolute and relative. In the case of the latter the marriage is considered as valid until declared otherwise, generally on the application of one of the parties. A marriage is absolutely null if at its celebration there was no declaration of the clergyman or of the civil official that the couple were man and wife, or if proof exists of bigamy or of relationship within the prohibited degrees. DIVORCE AND SEPARATION.--An absolute divorce may be obtained for sufficient cause either by royal decree or by judicial determination. The most usual form is by royal decree, which is granted in the following cases: 1. When one at least of the causes prescribed by law is proven.