On  October 11, 1865, a royal decree declared a national, general census in Norway. The census should be held the night between December 31. 1865 and January 1 1866. All the population of Norway was included. Those absent from their usual residence (on travel, at sea, etc.) were to be registered where they usually lived. While those temporarily present (visiting or similar), were to be excluded from their temporary residence.

The gathering of the census list started January 8 1866. 

The census was nominative, ie. everyone was registered with their name and not just a number. The 1865 Census is the second national, general, nominative census in Norway. The first was held in 1801.